Exactly - you can't get beyond the 56k with a 56K modem. Sorry if I wasn't clear in my note. My point was that if you have a 56k modem and your modem is connecting with the network at 12kps then something needs to be addressed...logic aside, I found that by setting my modem port speed to 115K my connection performance would improve, from say, 26-32kps, to 42-44kps. If I left the port setting at 56Kps I wouldn't get the 42-44kps. It shouldn't make any difference, but it always did. If someone could explain why I'd really appreciate some theories. Theories aside, if it was my 28K modem I'd be setting the port speed to 115Kps despite what should make sense. When with MSN I found it rare for customers to get a connection speed beyond 32-33kps with a 56K modem. As your isp friend indicates, guaranteed speeds are typically conservative, especially given shifts in network traffic. (Ever try to get online with dialup just after dinner?)

??? for sure

ritosh