What is 56K?
Which standard does Southwestern Bell Internet Services offer?
Do the three standards work interchangeably?
When will the v.90 standard be available in my area?
How do I know if my modem is compatible?
Is there a charge for 56K Internet access?
If I have an x2 Modem, can I still use Southwestern Bell Internet Services?
- What is 56K?
-
The term 56K refers to a new generation of modems that improve the speed of communication between personal computers and the Internet. The previous speed standard provided communication at speeds as high as 33,600 bits per second (bps). The new 56K modems increase that speed to a theoretical maximum of 57,600 or 56 Kbps.
In the past, two different technologies emerged enabling 56K communication: K56flex and x2. They have been replaced by a new, international standard for 56K data communications known as v.90.
In actual practice, the theoretical maximum speed is rarely achieved. See below for an explanation of the factors that can influence the speed that your computer connects at.
- Which standard does Southwestern Bell Internet Services offer?
-
Southwestern Bell Internet Services has upgraded to v.90, the new international standard for high-speed modem communication v.90 offers connect speeds up to 53Kbps.
The v.90 standard has been ratified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and all major modem manufacturers have announced their support for it. v.90 replaces two different, older technologies, K56flex and x2, which were previously used to enable high-speed communication. Upgrading to the new standard allows Southwestern Bell Internet Services to provide the highest connection speed possible with an analog modem, while ensuring compatibility with the type of equipment our customers are most likely to own.
- Do the three standards work interchangeably?
-
Unfortunately, no. The three standards require both ends of the communication link to be compatible with the standard. This means that the ISP's dial-in servers and the subscriber's modem need to have the same standard, whether it be K56flex, x2, or v.90. Generally, none of the standards are interchangeable. If the ISP has K56flex and the subscriber has x2, communication at 56K speed is not possible.
Recently, some modem manufacturers have been selling x2 and K56flex modems with the promise of a free or for-a-fee upgrade to the universal v.90 standard when the software to upgrade the modem is available. Also, some v.90 modems may be backward-compatible with either one of the older standards - but not both!
If you have questions about whether your modem is compatible with or upgradable to any of the 56K standards, please contact your modem manufacturer or computer dealer for details.
- When will the v.90 standard be available in my area?
-
Southwestern Bell Internet Services will rollout the v.90 standard throughout April and May 1999. Click here to see when v.90 is scheduled for your dial-in location.
- How do I know if my modem is compatible?
- There are several different classes of 56K modems:
K56flex modems, advertised as "56K" modems, allow connections up to 53Kbps. This older technology is being replaced by v.90 technology in Soutwestern Bell Internet Service's network. However, K56flex modems will continue to connect at speeds up to 53Kbps after our network upgrade.
x2 modems use another competing technology to enable high-speed communication, but it is also being replaced with the v.90 standard. Some of Southwestern Bell Internet Services dial-in locations are compatible with both x2 and v.90, while others are compatible with K56flex and v.90. To check which technologies are supported at your local dial-in location, check our Local Access Numbers. x2 modems will continue to connect at speeds up to 33.6 Kbps at those dial-in locations that are K56flex and v.90 compatible.
v.90 modems will connect with Soutwestern Bell Internet Service's network at speeds up to 53Kbps. Recently purchased modems are most likely v.90-capable out of the box. However, if you own a K56flex or x2 modem, a software upgrade to v.90 may be available from your modem manufacturer.
Slower technologies such as v.34 (28.8 or 33.6) and v32bis (14.4) will continue to connect at speeds up to their advertised maximum on Soutwestern Bell Internet Service's network.
Modem type Maximum Speed on Southwestern Bell
Internet Service's networkv.34 33.3Kbps K56flex 53 Kbps or 33.6 Kbps depending on your dial-in location x2 53 Kbps or 33.6 Kbps depending on your dial-in location v.90 native 53 Kbps v.90 (upgraded from flex) 53 Kbps v.90 (upgraded from x2) 53 Kbps If you're not sure which type of modem you have, check with your modem manufacturer's web site or technical support line for more information.
General Product Information
- Is there a charge for 56K Internet access?
- 56K access is included with our basic dial-up service at no extra charge.
- If I have an x2 Modem, can I still use Southwestern Bell Internet?
- Yes, most definitely. Some of our dial-in locations support 56K connections using both x2 and v.90 modems, while others support 56K connections using K56flex and v.90 modems. If you connect your x2 modem to a 56Kflex/v.90 dial-in location, you will continue to see speeds up to 33.6 Kbps. If you connect your x2 modem to an x2/v.90 dial-in location, you will see speeds up to 53.6 Kbps. To determine if your dial-in location is x2/v.90 or K56flex/v.90 compatible, refer to our Local Access Numbers.
Features, Capabilities and Requirements
| Home | Home Services | Business Services | Get Software | Web Hosting| |
| Dial In Numbers | FAQ | News | Safety 'Net | Contact Us | Find |
Copyright © 2003 SBC Southwestern Bell Internet Services. All rights reserved.