Shouldn't dial-up be at 56 Kbps?

[amazin asian]

I have to use dial-up now via the 6 months free Earthlink package given with the computer (wouldn't touch AOL with a ten foot pole) and it is always connecting at 28.8 Kbps. Is this just how fast the modem is, or does the Earthlink server only have that much dial-up bandwidth?

Also, our Vaio only connects at 24 Kbps, and a few years back when it still had ME installed it ran at least twice that (not exactly 56 Kbps, but close too it.) Just wondering how I could solve this slowness issue.

[mich43L]

It's usually a combination of the ISP's server and the phone lines. If your modem isn't 10 years old it's capable of 56K (download). Because you've the free account, Earthlink may be capping you at 28K. Check the fine print. Some phone lines in remote areas are also incapable of doing more than 26.4K. Which happens to be my case.

I suggest you go with one of the cheaper, less, commercial dial-up ISPs listed here:
http://freedomlist.com/find.php3?cheap_dialup_state=38

I recommend dialup.cc - $5/month.

[amazin asian]

It's usually a combination of the ISP's server and the phone lines. If your modem isn't 10 years old it's capable of 56K (download). Because you've the free account, Earthlink may be capping you at 28K. Check the fine print. Some phone lines in remote areas are also incapable of doing more than 26.4K. Which happens to be my case.

I suggest you go with one of the cheaper, less, commercial dial-up ISPs listed here:
http://freedomlist.com/find.php3?cheap_dialup_state=38

I recommend dialup.cc - $5/month.
I doubt it is the phone lines, but it is probaly the ISP. I would go with another ISP if we didn't have this for free, and after it is up we will be getting back on the broadband band waggon, but I just wanted to make sure that I could get 56 Kbps. I'll check to see if the Earthlink server we are on is capped at 56 Kbps, but thanks for the response!

[pilotart]

56K is the maximum allowed on a normal 92 0r 56 modem dial-up.

I came to EarthLink from AT&T many years ago after AT&T had gone the run-around to fix a slow connection.

Check your connection at the point that the line enters your building, if it is no better there,
call telephone repair and ask for a "Line Check".

That is what EarthLink had me do and connection was at full speed the next day:)

[moman]

It could also be related to your computer.

My Inspiron 1100 would only connect through dial up from the ex's house @ 28.8k. My work issued Compaq would connect fine using work dial-up @ 56k. Therefore the difference had to be in the computer.

Some phone lines are close to 100 years old.

[pilotart]

My LM was delivered in 1997 with a 33K Modem, usually connected at 28K.

Replaced that with a 56K and it shows 49-52 and if you time downloads it is at 56+ depending on server providing download.

Use EarthLink for their many 'local' #'s an would see a wide range of connect speeds at different locations, past few years WiFi or Ethernet is universal whever I travel to:)

(Other than 'large' files, there is little difference with hi-speed, waiting your turn at the server remains the same.

[Jeffbx]

DANG, this brings me back to the days of dial up!

Yes, actually the problem is most likely your phone line. 56k modem technology requires no more than a single analog to digital conversion between your house & the POP (phone company switching station). If you have more than one coversion, which is typical with older lines or in congested areas where lines are split multiple times, then you'll never get anything faster than a 28.8kb connection.

A good way to tell is if you never connect above 28.8, but the same machine can connect at a higher speed using a different phone line.

It's also possible that if you USED to connect at higher speeds but now you can't, that the phone company may have split the line somewhere & added another ADC to provide more capacity.

Here are some more involved methods of testing:

http://www.modemsite.com/56k/x2-adconversion.asp
http://support.bee.net/dial/common/56ktrouble.html

[dud]

You will never achieve 56 Kbps. The max I believe is 53K. Of all the dial-ups I ever used it was the max I ever reached.

[Kilroy M1730]

You will never achieve 56 Kbps. The max I believe is 53K. Of all the dial-ups I ever used it was the max I ever reached.

This is very true, as the phone companies consider 56k to be putting out too much noise. Therefore, all speeds are throtles back to a max of around 53k.

[E1505Guy]

Yah, it's also an FCC regulation.

[booga]

Earthlink leases lines from several vendors for dial up POP access.

UUNET, LEVEL3, and I forget the rest.

Some of these lines are 33.6 only. Call ELN and ask for a 56k POP.

One detail you mentioned that you get 24k connections. This may be caused by noise in your phone lines.