-=> Quoting Arthur Marsh to Meng-Shi Lim <=-

 AM> On Wed 05 Jun at 23:34 Meng-Shi Lim (3:635/503) wrote to All:
 
 ML> I'm having trouble connecting at 28.8k calling a number that 
 ML> is on the same AXE exchange as mine (I think. ie same 3 
 ML> number prefix 241xxx. The best I can get is 14.4K. I 
 ML> can't force a 21600 connect. It just won't). What can I 
 ML> do? I called Telstra and they told me there is a System 
 ML> 12 exchange spot available. This is suppose to be the 
 ML> top of the line exchange. Will being connected to this 
 ML> help at all? Anyone know anything about System 12?

 AM> What brand, model and firmware revision is your modem?

It is a Xircom PCMCIA 28.8k modem. Firmware update 3.78 - flash upgrade
from a patch at Xircom's WebSite. I used to be able to force a 21600
connection a few weeks ago (albeit very difficult to sustain. I would
lose DTR suddenly) but now I'm only getting 14.4k.

According to the review in Australian Personal Computer this modem
performs really badly and has great trouble sustaining a high speed
connection. I got an email from Xircom's Tech support that a new flash
upgrade will be available around 6/6/96 so I'm going to check out their
WebSite tonight.

I doubt switching exchange will help but it is certainly disconcerting
that this modem performs so badly on a local exchange. BTW, does the
'bitness' of the modem precessor usually affect its performance?

--- Blue Wave/Max v2.20 [NR]