SNET Internet is now fully compatible with the latest (V.90) 56k modem technology.

56k (V.90)

Q: Do I have to upgrade my modem if I do not want 56k access?
A: No. Unless you are interested in accessing the Internet at a faster speed, you do not need to do anything.

Q: Does the 56k service cost more?
A: No. The monthly charge for your SNET Internet account includes 56k access.

Q: Does a 56k modem support other connection speeds?
A: Yes. 56k modems will "step down" the connection speed until a stable link is established. Your 56k modem will probably work at 33.6Kbps, 28.8Kbps, and 14.4Kbps (for specific information about supported connection speeds, contact your modem manufacturer).

The following table illustrates the possible connection speeds for different kinds of modems. Locate the speed of your modem along the top row (if you are not sure how fast your modem is, please check the manufacturer's documentation). Then, read down the column to see if your modem works at each speed.

Modem Type
	14.4	28.8	33.6	K56Flex	X2
14.4Kbps	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
28.8Kbps	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
33.6Kbps	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
56Kbps	No	No	No	No	Yes

These figures indicate the maximum possible speed for a given modem type. Many factors influence connection speed, and SNET Internet cannot guarantee a connection faster than 9600bps. As explained below, no 56Kbps modem can communicate faster than 53Kbps.

Q: What is a 56k modem?
A: Your modem (the device that connects your computer to SNET Internet) communicates with the Internet at a certain speed. The modem’s speed determines how quickly you can receive information from remote sites—including Web pages and America Online. Until recently, the fastest modems communicated at 33,600 bits per second (or "33.6k"). In the past few months, several companies have developed new modems capable of communicating at up to 56,000 bits per second (or "56k").

The speed increase offered by 56k modems only applies to information coming in to your modem. For most users, this covers the bulk of all modem activity—including downloading Web pages and receiving e-mail messages. Information sent out by your modem travels at the next fastest speed, 33.6Kbps. Due to FCC regulations, the actual speed of any transaction will not exceed 53,000 bits per second (53Kbps).

Q: What 56k modem does SNET Internet currently support?
A: SNET Internet supports V.90 unified standard for 56k modems.

Q: How fast is the SNET Internet 56k connection?
A: The worldwide telephone network is designed to carry voices, not modem data. Therefore, no telephone company can ever guarantee connections faster than 9,600 bits per second. At speeds higher than 9,600 bits per second, the rate of transmission may be affected by the telephone jacks and wiring in your house, line noise, the distance from your house to SNET’s central office, the type (analog or digital) of interoffice trunk, and so forth.

Our initial tests indicate that SNET Internet customers using "V.90" modems may typically connect at 40Kbps to 45Kbps. Occasionally, the connection may be as fast as 50.6Kbps or as slow as 28.8Kbps.

U.S. Robotics has set up a toll-free telephone number that allows you to test your telephone line for 56k compatibility. For more information, visit the U.S. Robotics site at http://www.3com.com/56k/need4_56k/linetest.html. Remember, these results do not guarantee connection speeds of 56Kbps.