What is V.90?

V.90 is the new industry standard for 56K modems. An international standards organization, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) reached an agreement February 6th, 1998 in Geneva, Switzerland that V.90 should be standard by which all 56K modems operate. Prior to this agreement, 56K modems came in two standards K56Flex and X2.

How did two standards emerge?

K56Flex is the modem protocol co-authored by Lucent and Rockwell. X2 is the modem standard developed by U.S. Robotics Corporation which merged with the 3Com Corporation in February 1997.

How can I tell which kind of 56K modem I have?

1. If you know your modem's brand name, call the modem manufacturer or visit their web site.
2. If you don't know the modem's brand name, call your computer manufacturer.
3. If your computer doesn't have a recognizable brand name - it's a clone -- call the store or mail order catalogue where you purchased it.

How do I upgrade my modem to V.90? Do I need to take my modem into Intrex?

No. Upgrading your modem doesn't mean you have to take the modem out of your computer. It will usually involve updating the modem's firmware by either downloading some files from your modem manufacturer's web site or installing some files with a floppy disk or CD-ROM. This is why you need to know who manufactures your modem because you need to either call them up on the phone and ask them how to upgrade, or visit their web site. Most modem manufacturers have instructions on how to upgrade your modem on their web sites.

I've got a 14.4, 28.8 or 33.6 modem. Does V.90 apply to my modem? Can I upgrade to V.90?

For the most part, owners of those modems don't need to worry about V.90. Your modems will still connect at their current speeds.Your modems were designed before the "Age of 56K" and, with very few exceptions, cannot be upgraded to the V.90 standard.

Will I be able to connect at 56K with V.90?

The Federal Communications Commission limits the maximum connection speed to 53K. (They actually limit the amount of power that can be sent through the phone line in order to prevent interference with other electrical devices.) As with all modems, regardless of whether they are 28.8, 33.6, or 56K, it is rare that customers achieve the highest advertised connection speeds. These speeds are obtained under ideal laboratory conditions. Using a modem in your home, office or hotel room is considered less than ideal. It is important to remember that modern analog phone lines, used in most homes and virtually all outlying areas, were never designed to support the data transfer rates we are placing on them.