56K Modems

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Last Updated: July 8, 2007

	Today's Best Choice The U.S. Robotics 56K V.92 Internal Faxmodem PCI puts the internet connection on hold while you take phone calls.  Since it's missing a controller chip to cut the price of the modem in half, it only works in Windows.  Controllerless modems shouldn't have any performance issues.  Because of the popularity of US Robotics products, software will most likely have this model in a drop down list of modems for automatic configuration, whereas no-name modems may need to be configured manually. Buy it for $38.
	Today's Best Choice - Low Cost The TRENDnet ZFM-PCIV92A is the same as the US Robotics modem above without the brand name. Read reviews from owners at NewEgg.com Buy it for $15.

The easiest, least costly, and slowest way to connect to the internet is by using a 56K modem that supports the V.90 or v.92 communication standard.  This requires using your existing phone line or adding a second phone line to your house.  The physical limitations of phone lines prevent anyone from achieving the full speed of 56,000 bits per second.

The V.92 communications standard allows you to take phone calls while connected to the internet.  Never miss a call again!  Your internet service provider (ISP) must also have V.92 modems at their end for this to work.  V.92 also reduces connection time.  V.92 is backward compatible with V.90.

As far as Internet Service Providers (ISP) are concerned, PC Magazine's 19th Annual Reader Satisfaction Survey (Sept 2006) said EarthLink is the way to go for dialup.  AOL is average in several categories, but below average in speed and customer service.

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