Internet enthusiasts are always looking for a faster way to surf the Web, and thanks to the introduction of the 56K modem, now they can—if they do their homework.

As with any new technology, the 56K modem has caused a stir in the PC world, and left prospective buyers wondering which model they should buy. That question may be best answered by two unlikely sources: their Internet Service Provider (ISP) and local phone company.

Before 56K technology hit the scene, the 33.6 Kbps modem was the leading dragster on the electronic speedway, allowing users to tear through cyberspace at unprecedented rates. Then two manufacturers revved up the technology and unveiled different versions of the 56K chipset—the x2™ by U.S. Robotics and the K56flex produced jointly by Lucent and Rockwell—both promising Internet fans faster downloads* than ever before.

To take advantage of the 56K modem’s speed**, customers should be sure their Internet Service Provider (ISP) can support at least one of the chipsets. The x2 and K56flex technologies use different encoding methods to translate the information sent from a PC over phone lines, so the two versions are not interchangeable. However, most ISPs already have the hardware necessary to take advantage of one or both versions. Anyone interested in purchasing a 56K modem should contact their ISP provider, and ask 1) if they offer a local link to a 56K compatible port; 2) if so, which version (x2 or the K56flex) they support; and 3) how much support they provide. After these questions are answered, deciding which modem to purchase becomes a lot easier.

Those in the modem market should also consult their local telephone companies and find out if they’re equipped to handle the 56K’s high transmission speeds. (Older phone lines that can’t support traffic moving faster than 33.6 Kbps will significantly slow down the modem’s transmission.) Customers should also ask if the lines are being routed through a private branch exchange (PBX), which may slow the 56K’s performance to that of a 33.6 Kbps modem.

No matter which version customers choose now, the rest of the communication industry—including ISPs, telephone companies, modem manufacturers and regulators—will likely scramble to "catch up" to their demands for more speed. Once this standard is recognized, the 56K is expected to become a common PC component.

MidWest Micro currently offers Infotel 56K Internal and External Fax Modems (with or without speakerphones) and U.S. Robotics 56K Modems in its growing modem product line. All Infotel and U.S. Robotics 56K Modems are software upgradeable, so when a standard version—possibly a cross between the x2 and K56flex—is declared by national and worldwide regulators in the future, anyone using an Infotel or U.S. Robotics 56K Modems can standardize them for free. MidWest Micro will post when and where customers should go to download the software upgrade for the Infotel 56K Modems as soon as the standard is announced.

*56K technology takes advantage of your ISP's digital connection; therefore, upload transmissions will be slower.

**The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the U.S. agency which regulates interstate and international broadcast transmissions, limits the speed on phone lines to 53 Kbps.