56k versus any other high speed

[Salmon Trout]

I am wondering why it could not be as fast?

A 56k dial up modem transforms digital data into audio tones. You can hear them if you leave the modem speaker switched on. The audio signals usually travel along ordinary copper phone wires to another modem where they are transformed back into digital data. 50k meanns 56,000 bits per second which is the theoretical maximum speed you can move data using audio tones. If you are using 56k dial up over a digital fibre optic phone system then you are still restricted by this.

[John1397]

I can use both 56k and high speed. My question is not what is available it is more of that  with fiber optic cable from a server to my house speed could be increased beyond what is now called 56k on what is just a basic telephone line now. When lines were copper it could only handle 56k but with fiber optic speed should be able to be increased still using a basic telephone line.

John

[rthompson80819]

John, even if you have fiber to the side of your house, but you are just paying for basic phone service, all you will get is 56k service.  To get high speed service you will need special equipment from your phone company and you will need to pay extra for it.  Depending on which vendor they are using will determine what you need for an internet receiver.

ISPs base their prices on what speeds you are paying for, not on whether you have fiber to your door.

[John1397]

Salmon Trout answered my question.

John

[patio]

Bottom line is the speed you get is mostly what you pay for...
Any connection can be throttled down by any ISP...

[truenorth]

Further to what patio has stated above. If the determination is made to go to DSL for instance. The choice of provider can determine your cost for the varying options given providers will offer at what price. For example in my area a specific telephone company owns ALL the infrastructure but is obliged under Federal regulation to allow competitors to use it and offer their services. Be they long distance or DSL services. Now you can purchase a variety of monthly levels of broadband usage for different prices from the infrastructure owner. The more you want (or use) the higher the cost. However a smaller DSL ISP using their stuff only offers one price for one level of service. It so happens that one option is at the highest usage allowance offered by the other bigger company but at a price that is lower than even the lowest level package of the big guy. I am the only DSL user on this road (very rural) that is using the smaller provider all the others are with the big guy. We all come through the same DSL switch and the same copper wire. As if that weren't enough the big company is very arrogant and hard to get assistance from and the small one has excellent support and doesn't give you the impression that you are bothering them if you call re an issue. So investigate before committing to ensure your best deal.truenorth