Fax-Modem - 56K v.90 Fax-Modem

The fax/modem has a dual purpose.  The fax part of fax/modem allows you to use your computer as a fax machine for sending and receiving faxes to and from other fax machines.   The modem part of fax/modem allows your computer to  communicate with other computers such as the Internet, online services such as AOL, or perhaps from your computer to an office computer.

The fax/modem converts computer information into a form that can be transmitted across a regular telephone line.  Thus the terms "wired" and "online" became popular terms to describe your computer being on the Internet. 

The speed at which the information is sent is measured and known as the baud rate.    Even though the modem is capable of 56k baud rate, the fax will only transmit at 14.4k due to the industry standards set up for faxing.

Analogy - Think of the fax/modem as the translator between your computer, and the internet.   Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) has a computer with a modem that is awaiting your call.  When you dial your ISP, your modem and your ISP's modem are communicating over the phone line.

History - Modems started out at 300 baud rate.  It seemed that each year, a new baud rate would come out, sometimes two or three per year.  Common values are 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 14.4k, 28.8k, 33.6k, and the now famous 57.6k AKA 56k.  Why they chop off the extra 1.6k we will never know! 

Once the speed of 56k was established there was a split in the technology and two platforms emerged.  K56flex, supported by Lucent/Rockwell, and x2 supported by 3Com/US Robotics.  Although both platforms worked well within its own environment (i.e. a k56flex modem talking to a k56flex modem), communications between the two yielded a slower connection.  This caused ISPs to have to support both to insure that their customers had a way of connecting at the fastest speeds.  In February 1998, an agreement was reached which standardized v.90 as the universal technology for a 56k connection.

It seems that modems  hit a wall at 56k because they have been stuck there for some time.  Regulations currently restrict faster modems from hitting the market.   As they say, "necessity is the mother of invention," and now newer technology such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable modems (Broadband) are becoming popular for accessing the internet, and at much higher speeds.

Manufacturers - Common manufacturers are US Robotics, 3Com, AOpen, among many others.

What You Are Looking For - You will find that most computers come with a standard 56k v.90 fax/modem built in.   You may want to consider the newer technologies, such as DSL, or Cable Broadband.   If you decide to go this route, you may not need a fax/modem for telephone.