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Modems are a device used by your personal computer to negotiate dial-up networking protocols. A modem transforms the analog data it gets from a phone line into digital data that the computer can understand. The faster the modem the better, with modems of 56k and upwards being required to run web browsers and Internet applications at good speeds. With the implementation of broadband lines in the UK, you can now buy cable modems that run about 10 times the speed of a regular phone modem.

Before buying a dial-up modem make sure that it supports V.92, it's a good idea to make sure your ISP in the UK supports V.92. Because not all ISP's do support V.92 at the present time (20/9/03). Before there was V.92 modems there was the V.90 specification. V.92 is the new dial-up modem specification from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and this makes it faster than V.90 because V.92 modems cut the modem negotiation or handshake time by up to 50% so you can dial-in faster. It is based upon a compression scheme that can speed up your web browsing as much as 50%.

• Misco - One of the leading IT resellers in the UK
• Novatech - They offer over 9000 computer hardware lines.
• Lowest on web - Their aim is to provide the UK's largest range of PC Components.
• Introduction to Computer Information: Modems - An introduction to classification of modems, standards and protocols, and today's status vs. future trends.
• Modem Speed Test Page - Provides tests to measure how long it takes to load a test page from its server, and display it on the host browser.
• Modemsite.com - A reliable source of 56k modem information, troubleshooting, and modem driver downloads.

Posted on 06 / 09 / 2003

V.90 Modems

Standard created by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) for 56k modems. The V.90 standard for modems controls things like the handshake procedure time when a dial-up modem is trying to connect to the Internet. The V.90 standard was required because of two competing 56k technologies which were X2 and K56flex. If you have a X2 or K56Flex modem, you may be able to upgrade to V.90 by contacting your modem manufacturer. The upgrade will be in the form of a software download. Nearly all modems you buy now are 56k modems have v.90 as standard, and with broadband becoming more widespread, v.90 is becoming an old technology. You can still however buy v.90 modems from a range of UK shops you can find here at UK Shop Index.

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UK Shop Index editor

Posted on 06 / 09 / 2003

US Robotics 56K Modem

I have owned this modem for over 3 years and it has never gone wrong. When I bought it for £90 it was the most expensive 56k modem on the market and therefore the performance is great and very reliable. My US Robotics modem is a white external version, which I believe is more expenive than the internal version. This modem also has features such as V.92 as standard and V.PCM Upstream which allows your modem speed for uploads to reach 48Kbps. I have also has no configuration issues with my US Robotics modem, overall this is a great machine which is well worth your money.

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Alec Thorpe, Surrey

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Modem Information

1. Adsl modems
2. 56k modems

Popularity
Value for money
Ability to find on the Net
Better value than high street

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