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V.92 FAQ
What is V.92?
V.92 is the new dial-up modem specification from the ITU (International
Telecommunications Union) that introduces three new features that
will add convenience and performance for the modem user. The three
features are quick connect, modem-on-hold and PCM Upstream.
Why do I need or want V.92?
Although broadband technologies (DSL and Cable) are all the rage
right now, in reality, most people around the world only have access
to analog phone lines. Dial-up modems will remain the primary means
to get on the Internet for several years, so it is important to
improve the user experience on this technology.
What will QuickConnect do for me?
Very simply, QuickConnect will shorten the time it takes to make
a connection by remembering ("training") the phone line
characteristics and storing them for later usage. Typically, the
modem handshake (all that noise you hear) takes from 25 to 27 seconds.
Surveys indicate that people are quite irritated at this length
of time. QuickConnect will cut the modem handshake time in half
for most calls, a significant improvement.
Will QuickConnect work for me while I'm on the road with my
laptop?
Yes. Since QuickConnect actually "trains" the modem on
the first call, all the following calls will be QuickConnects -
faster handshake times. People usually make more than one connection
from the same phone line (e.g. hotel) when they are travelling.
What will PCM Upstream do for me?
PCM Upstream boosts the upstream data rates between the user and
ISP to reduce upload times for large files and email attachments.
A maximum of 48 Kbps upstream rate is supported. PCM Upstream will
work particularly well with new equipment such as Internet-connected
digital cameras, which primarily upload rather than download information.
Are QuickConnect, Modem-on-Hold and PCM Upstream supported in
V.34 mode?
Yes.
When will I be able to buy V.92 modems?
Product release dates will differ by manufacturer and product type,
but it is anticipated that V.92 modems will be available in stores
the first half of 2001.
When will my ISP support V.92?
Historically, new communication standards are made available in
client modems before the network modems, and this will be the case
with V.92. Industry-leading network equipment companies are currently
testing V.92 and it is anticipated that ISPs will have V.92 ports
available by the last half of 2001. Of course, not all ISPs will
upgrade to V.92 at the same time. You can email your ISP and ask
them when they will launch the new standard.
Modem-on-Hold
What will Modem-on-Hold do for me?
Many households use the same phone line for both voice calls and
data (Internet), so when the user is browsing the Internet, an incoming
call cannot get through. Modem-on-Hold allows you to receive an
incoming call and stay connected to the Internet (Call-Waiting service
from your phone company is all that is required). It also works
in reverse; you can initiate a voice call while connected and keep
the modem connection.
How much time will I have if I choose to take an incoming call?
The "hold" time is defined by your ISP. The V.92 specification
allows for hold times to be anywhere from 10 seconds to infinite.
Do I have to redial to get back to the Internet?
No. When you hang up the phone you can resume browsing.
Can I stay on the Internet and make a phone call?
Yes. Initiating calls is easy with Modem-on-Hold. First, a Modem-on-Hold
application is executed. This program suspends the data connection
between your modem and the ISP so you can pick up your phone and
make an outgoing call in the usual way. The application puts the
modem "on-hold", flashes the hook, and a dial tone appears
on the extension handset so you can make a call. When your call
is complete, the modem will detect an extension on hook, flash the
hook twice, and return to the data (Internet) connection.
How long will I have before the Internet connection is dropped?
Again, the hold time is determined by your ISP. For example, the
Modem-on-Hold application can display the time allotted and also
display a countdown so you will know how much time you have left
for the phone call.
There are different types of CallerID available from the telephone
companiesWhat services do I need to use MOH?
For the purposes of this document, we will use telco terms that
are used in the United States. These services may be called by a
different name in other countries.
First and foremost, you must have Call Waiting in order to take
advantage of MOH. CallerID (CID) is not required. There are 2 types
of CID, type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 CID is a service that allows a telephone subscriber to receive
information on the incoming call BEFORE the user (or modem) takes
the call by going off-hook. Sometimes called on-hook CID, it does
not require Call Waiting, but it does require hardware support on
the modem board if you want to use this feature via the modem. This
is because without specific hardware support, there is no data path
from the telephone line to our modem device when the modem is in
the on-hook condition.
Type 2 CID (also referred to as CID on Call Waiting) does not require
hardware support on the modem board. Type 2 CID is not required
for MOH to work. However without type 2 CID support from the telco,
the user will not be able to receive details (telephone number)
of the incoming third-party call. For the purposes of a MOH discussion,
we will only refer to Type 2 CID.
In summary, for MOH functionality, the user must have Call Waiting
service from their telephone company at a minimum. Optionally, for
CID on CW, the user must have CID on Call Waiting (not just CID)
service from the telco.
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