Sorry to bother you, but not being very knowledgeable with modems, I have become quite confused regarding the 56k world.

I want to upgrade my 28.8 to 56k with the new v.90 standard. My problem? I'm getting conflicting answers as to whether the upgrade will increase my speed. I've run U.S. Robotics Line Test and it stated "56k technology is not currently available on this connection". In conversation with SW Bell, they state "due to analog connection, cannot expect better than a connection in the 30's range in Tulsa". WebZone, my ISP, advises that most of there customers with new modems are getting speeds in the upper 40's.

Could you shed any light on this dilemma? I'm most confused.

My response:

Even in the best of conditions, you will only experience rates approaching 56kb for transfers from the ISP (that has a digital connection) to you; your transfers to the ISP will always be at most 33kb. And you can only achieve the 56kb if there is exactly one Digital to Analog conversion from your ISP (which is digital), to you, who are analog. If the signal routing from your ISP's telephone central office to you goes through digital part of the way, then converts to analog, goes part of the way, converts back to digital, for part of the way, and then converts to analog for delivery to you, you will be limited to 33kb both ways.

The USR line test apparently thinks it sees two or more conversions. Sometimes it is right, sometimes it is not. SWB wants to lower your expectations, so it tells you the worst case situation. WebZone wants to encourage your business, so it tells you the best case situation. Neither intentionally is failing to tell the truth, which is you may have to try it to see what you can get. You may want to borrow someone's modem and try it before you spring for a new modem to see what you get at your house.

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