Re: Phone lines

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Adalbert Goertz writes ...
> 
> Hi:
> Can anyone of the experts tell me whether a computer internet
> user should have special phone lines?
> I find that downloading files from a website is very slow.
> I have a standard phone line. The download speed is about 2kb/sec.
> My modem can handle 27kb/sec.
> What are my options?
> 
 ....

     The download speed is probably in actual data bytes/second; so, it is
not all that bad for a modem that can run at 27,000 bits/second.

     Our connection is over a standard phone line and, at "56k", we usually
connect at 46k-48k bits/second. I guess a special line might help; but, it's
not clear how much and whether the gain would be worth the cost.

     One thing you can do to improve your line is to remove as many phones,
answering machines, etc. from it as possible. A few years back I ran a line
directly from the phone line connector on the back of the house to our
'computer room' and fixed the other lines (going to various phones) so that
they could be switched on/off. Connection speed is consistently higher when
the other phones are switched off.



Rubywand