Frank:
I was just wondering about the concept of increased modem speed in general, as it relates to the market. For example, with all the technology now available, it seems to me that we ought to be able to do more to improve the lot of dial up modem users without waiting for next generation technologies to come along. But of course, even if that is possible, the issue of price must be settled. I'm wondering what it would be worth to get more speed out of a dial up modem? For example, you are "willing" to purchase an x2 modem, at what I assume is a higher price than a plain old V.34 modem, to get more speed. I thought about that for a moment, and decided that I, too, would be willing to "buy" more speed. I wonder what others consider acceptable costs for such speed increases? For example, if an x2 modem costs, say, $100 more than a non-x2 modem, and you get "only" an additional 10kbps from it, you've paid $10 per 1kbps of speed increase (I don't know what the real costs are; I made that number up). Would we then be willing to pay $200 extra for 20kbps more speed, and so forth?
My thinking is that I'd probably pay $10 or so per 1kbps; thus, a V.34 modem running at a true 56kbps, all the time, would be worth paying an extra $300 for if I could really get the 56kbps all the time, but if I'm going to get so-and-so kbps sometimes, and such-and-such kbps other times, and who-knows-what the rest of the time, maybe it isn't worth as much.
So, what is the average cost of x2 per 1kbps of increased speed that x2 users are now seeing? I seem to recall that the upgrade is $60 for my Sportster; if I do it and get 37kbps, I'm paying $15 per 1kbps.
Maybe this "analysis" is splitting hairs and not worth the trouble, but it is something I am curious about and decided to post here to see what the response would be. Maybe I've underestimated the value of the speed increase or ??? I tend to go for "all the speed I can get" and even after thorough analysis, I'd probably 'just do it' anyway.
I've also wondered if it bothers anyone when the connect speed is "jumping around" as it seems to be. With my 33.6kbps modem, if I don't get a 33.6 connection, I will often redial several times to see if I CAN get lucky and connect at that speed; if not, I give up and settle for 28.8 or whatever seems to be the day's limit. I'm close to my ISP so I can usually count on at least 28.8, but many can't.
Just curious.
Larry |
