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when the modem is in use. This includes extension phones, answering machines,
cordless phone bases, caller ID boxes and their cables. This reduces the load on your
phone line and keeps signal attenuation to a minimum.
Keep the length of your phone line cable to 10 feet or less. If necessary, move the
computer closer to the phone socket. Don’t lay your cabling close to an electrical
appliance like a refrigerator or air conditioner unit. High current devices can trans-
mit 60 cycle “hum” to your modem through the phone cord. This may cause fre-
quent renegotiations or line disconnects while the appliance is running.
The telephone line conditions at the time of your call may not let you connect at
56K. The modem has a connection sequence of K56flex, then V.90, then V.34, and
so on. The modem attempts to make the highest connect rate that your telephone
line can support at the time of negotiation. If the line conditions (noise, telephone
company routing, etc.) won’t allow a high data rate connection, then the modem will
automatically connect at the most reliable rate. Try making the call again after a few
minutes. The routing of the call may improve your chances of making a 56K connec-
tion.
If you are attempting to make a call from an office and you have to dial “9” to reach
an outside number, you are using a PBX. The modem cannot connect faster then
V.34 if you are using a PBX. Try using the line that is connected to a fax machine. Fax
machines are usually connected to a dedicated line and not a PBX.
Your phone line may not support or may only intermittently support a 56K connec-
tion. There are many conditions that must be met before a 56K connection can be
established. The telephone company must have you connected to the (Public Switched
Telephone Network) in a particular way. The modem you are calling must also sup-
port the same protocol.
The drivers for your modem are constantly being refined to address problems with
compatibility, interoperability, and performance. Conditions that were thought in-
surmountable only months ago are now things of the past. As the industry converts
to the new V.90 standard, current problems of connectivity and interoperability could
also be things of the past. Check for driver upgrades on a regular basis. A problem
connecting to a particular provider might be fixed by a simple software upgrade.
