Advantages of 56K

• Introduction

• Speed

• Cost

• Availability

• The cardboard box factor

Cost

56K modems will work with the same phone lines you're currently using. There are no additional charges for special lines, as there are with ISDN, ADSL or other technologies. See "The High Speed Competition."

A 56K modem will probably cost about the same as 28.8K modems cost a year ago. There are currently some deals on 33.6 modems as manufacturers liquidate their inventories, which may complicate your buying decision. A year after their introduction, 56K modems are now available for less than $100.

The only remaining question is how much Internet service providers will charge for 56K access. A few smaller companies are charging more, but the vast majority of ISPs are not. National players like AOL, MSN, and Mindspring have chosen to provide 56K access without any additional surcharges.