Disadvantages of 56K

• Introduction

• Only one A/D conversion allowed

• 40 to 50K more likely

• 56K for downloads only

• 53K limit in the U.S.

• Requires digital lines at the ISP

• Won't work with some PBXes

40 to 50K more likely

Many netizens who buy high-speed analog modems are surprised that they don't necessarily connect at the full 28800 (or 33600) speed. Connections at 26400 or 24000 are common.

Because the part of the connection between your computer and the phone company is analog, 56K modems will still suffer from line noise. The good news is that with 56K connections the part of the connection between the phone company and the Internet service provider is digital, which has much less noise.

Even if you can't get a 28.8K or 33.6K connect now, you may be able to get a much higher connect speed with 56K. Early test results indicate most people will be able to get speeds between 38K and 48K.

In the MindSpring test, a majority of their users (81.3%) connected at between 40 and 50K, with 58.2% connecting between 45 and 50K:

Speed     # Calls    Percentage
          Connected
52000         2       0.1%
50666        10       0.5%
49333        71       3.7%
48000       159       8.3%
46666       567      29.6%
45333       317      16.6%
44000       132       6.9%
42666       189       9.9%
41333        82       4.3%
40000        39       2.0%
38666        24       1.3%
37333        72       3.8%
36000        45       2.3%
33333       126       6.6%
32000        20       1.0%
29333        60       3.1%