Why can't I connect at 56k?

Over the last several years, phone companies have replaced most of the analog lines connecting their Central Offices (CO's) with digital equipment. Analog technology sends data as a continuous wave, which can persist over long distances and adverse conditions, but may arrive distorted from its original form. Digital technology sends data as 0's and 1's and is more sensitive to interference, but when properly administrated will pass from point to point with 100% reliability. This greater reliability allows for higher speeds and is the basis behind 56k modems. The connection between your local Central Office and your house is still analog, however. Data you request from the Internet arrives at Bee.Net's equipment in a digital form, and we pass it to a nearby CO, still fully digital. Provided the data reaches your local CO without being converted to analog anywhere along the way, these faster digital connections give you a faster download speed. Due to the many variables involved, the average "56k" connection actually falls in the range of 42k to 48k. Uploads from your computer are still limited to 33.6k, however, because data moving from analog to digital lines cannot take advantage of the faster speed. Here are some things to troubleshoot when this process breaks down:
 
  • If the data is converted to analog at any time before reaching your local CO, you will not get a 56k connection. Your modem will connect using the next best protocol, V.34 (28.8k / 33.6k). Phone companies are free to change your call routing at any time, so you could go from a 52k connection one day to a 28.8k connection the next day.
  • If you are in an office environment, dialing through a PBX system may also add an extra digital to analog conversion. Try dialing on a direct line instead of one that requires an 8 or 9 to reach an outside line.
  • The distance between you and your local CO affects whether you get a 56k connection, and the actual speed you get. In general you need to be within 18,000 feet, or about 3.5 miles. This is not physical distance but the total length of phone wire, which may not travel in a straight line. The closer you are, the better. If all other factors are equal, someone living next to a CO may connect in the 50's, while someone at the edge of this limit may connect only in the 30's.
  • The quality of the phone line between you and your CO also affects your chances for 56k, and your actual connection speed. The phone line is not just what's in your house, but the lines on your street and in your neighborhood. Some phone companies will use multiple trunks in an area, and when the first, higher-quality trunk is full, calls may be moved to a second, lesser-quality trunk. Using a short length of phone cord between the wall jack and the modem, and disconnecting other devices from the line (cordless phones, fax machines, answering machines, surge suppressors, splitters, etc.) may improve your chances slightly.
There are several ways to test and troubleshoot these issues. If you are using a 56k US Robotics modem, follow these instructions from the V.Unreliable web site to check for multiple digital-to-analog conversions and other line problems.
 
  • If you are not using a US Robotics modem but have at least a 28.8k modem, you can simulate the same test in reverse. Call the US Robotics Bulletin Board at 1-(847)-330-2780 with your modem and a terminal program. This is a long-distance number, but the test takes only a minute. Windows 95/98/NT 4.0 users can use Hyperterminal by clicking the Start button, then Programs, then Accessories. If you have Windows 3.x you can use Terminal, which is accessed from the "Accessories" group. Macintosh users may download a program like ZTerm or use the built-in window available in some dialers. For example, to display a basic terminal window in FreePPP, edit your Account to connect Manually instead of Directly. This test is not foolproof, since the call routing to your long-distance company's phone lines may vary dramatically compared to the routing to our local modems. For the best results, try the test several times and during different times of the day.
  • Dial 1-(847)-330-2780 using your terminal program. If you are dialing directly from the terminal window, type the command ATDT1-847-330-2780 and press Enter.When asked if you want graphics, type n and press Enter.
The USR Bulletin board first asks about graphics. 

When asked for your first name, 
enter line test and press Enter. Next, it asks for your first name... 

After a brief pause, the test returns its results.Press Enter several times to display some more statistics and then end the call.

For more information, see these instructions on the 3Com web site.

 If this test is inconclusive, you will need to contact your local phone company. They will be able to check your line for basic problems like noise, voltage, and stress, and for modem-specific issues like the distance from your house to your local CO. They can run basic tests from their office, but to thoroughly test your line, a serviceman will need to come to your house. Keep in mind that your phone company is mandated to provide only a voice network, not a network supporting "56k". Bee.Net has no control over the quality of your phone lines.

If you live in an area where more than one dial-up number is a local call, try dialing the other number.  Make sure your modem is using the most recent firmware or driver. This is done by contacting your modem or computer manufacturer or by checking their web page for updates. 56k technology is still evolving and some manufacturers release new code every couple months. As Bee.Net upgrades its modems, you need to upgrade yours as well. Failure to do so could result in slower connection speeds, disconnections, and possibly the failure to connect at all.  Check if your modem supports the V.90 standard, or K56Flex or X2. Bee.Net supports V.90 and X2. If your modem supports just K56FLEX, you will only be able to make a V.34 connection (28.8 / 33.6). You must upgrade the firmware or driver to V.90 to attempt 56k speeds.  Sometimes using initialization strings will improve your connection. ATZ, AT&F, AT&F1, and AT&F2 are ones to try initially. Check your modem's documentation for other specific strings and settings. You can also try explicitly forcing V.90, instead of another protocol the modem may choose instead.