Frequently Asked Questions  V.92
More FAQ's and info at V92.com
Q:What is V.92?
A: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.

Q:Why do I need or want V.92?
A: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.

Q:What will V.92 do for me?
A:Very simply, V.92 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. V.92 will cut the modem handshake time in half for most calls, a significant improvement.

Q:Will V.92 work for me while I'm on the road with my laptop?
A:Yes. Since V.92 actually "trains" the modem on the first call, all the following calls will be V.92s - faster handshake times. People usually make more than one connection from the same phone line (e.g. hotel) when they are travelling.

Q:What will PCM Upstream do for me?
A: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.


Modem-on-Hold

Q:What will Modem-on-Hold do for me?
A: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.

Q:How much time will I have if I choose to take an incoming call?
A:The "hold" time is 4 minutes. 
Q:Do I have to redial to get back to the Internet?
A:No. When you hang up the phone you can resume browsing.

Q:Can I stay on the Internet and make a phone call?
A:Yes. Initiating calls is easy with Modem-on-Hold (MOH). 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.

Q:How long will I have before the Internet connection is dropped?
A: 4 minutes. 

There are different types of CallerID available from the telephone companies
Q:What services do I need to use MOH?

A: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.