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07/22/2001 Archived Entry: "22-July-2001"

Download Times (Timothy Hopkins) -- "A 56K modem is one that is theoretically capable of downloading 56,000 bits per second. The equation is 56,000/8=7,000, or 7K a second. So a 35K image should take 5 seconds to download. However, current FCC regulations limit connections to 44,000 bits per second (44,000/8=5.5K a second). So even if you have a 56K modem, you are limited to 5.5K a second and a 35K image will take 7 seconds to download." (Comments: Is this true? Do FCC regulations limit connections to 44,000 bits per second. That is very interesting if it is true.)

Replies: 4 comments

I do know that whenever I connect using AOL it is no higher than 44,000 on a 56k modem. In fact, it is usually right at 44,000.

Posted by Mike Marinelli @ 07/22/2001 06:45 PM EST

Exactly the same with me, it's always at 44,000. Very annoying - good article though!

Posted by sam gibson @ 07/23/2001 09:09 AM EST

FCC regulations limit the amount of power that is transmitted over phone lines in the US. This effectively limits 56k modems to 53k. Due to other things, like interference in the phone lines, your actual connection speed is unlikely to ever be better than 44k.

Posted by Adam Kalsey @ 07/23/2001 12:08 PM EST

This information was sent to me by Frank Lynch by email:

This page says the limit is 53K:
http://www.cityscape.net/faq.html

another vote for 53K:
http://www.surfus.net/faq.htm

and another:
http://support.ncia.net/56k/modprops.html

All these were found on this page...
http://www.google.com/search?q=FCC+regulations+limit+connections+to+&sourceid=opera&num=0

Posted by John S. Rhodes @ 07/23/2001 11:57 PM EST

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