Just to clarify a bit of Len's reply...
At 04:10 PM -0400 06/02/2004, Len Gerstel wrote:
Make a voice call on your modem line. Is is a VERY clear connection? If not,
Do you have a lot of devices on the same line as the modem? Try removing them and see what happens. Also, try connecting the modem as close to where the main phone line comes into your house as possible and see what happens, you may have a dirty connection in the house wiring.
All good advice.
It is critical to get the noise off the phone line *first*.
One of the basic ways to check this is to go to the box where the phone line first enters your home. Modern boxes have RJ11 connectors, for easy disconnections. Disconnect your house wiring. Plug in a regular telephone (not wireless!). At that point, that phone is connected directly to your outside wiring and is the only device. Lift the handset and press any number that kills the dial-tone. Listen. The line should *absolutely* silent. If it's not, call the phone company. If it is, connect the house lines and check again for noise. If you hear noise then, the problem is within your home.
If the problem is within your home, it is up to you to fix it.
If the problem is outside of your home (that first test), then the phone company will fix it for free.
call your phone company to complain. BUT DO NOT MENTION A MODEM PROBLEM!!. They only guarantee modem speeds of 2400 baud (2.4k). Just tell them that there is noise on the line.
By FCC regulation, the phone company is required to provide you with residential service that adheres to certain noise specifications. If the line is not within those specs, they're required to repair it or pay a fine. There is no and never was any regulation that talks about any specific carrier speed. And any phone company that balks when you mention this is a modem problem should be reported ot the FCC. They'll be happy to apply a fine.
Any phone line barely within the legal specs can support a modem carrier at 3200 baud. A line solidly within the specs can easily do 4800 baud.
Note that's baud not bps (bits per second). 3200 baud at 9 bits per symbol is 28,800 bps (V.34 speed). 4800 baud at 12 bits per symbol is 57,600 bps (V.90). Of course, in the US, V.90 is limited to 53,333 bps, due to some political wrangling.
- Dan.
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