What is a Modem On Hold (v.92 modem) and why is it beneficial?
What is a Modem On Hold (MOH)?
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. MOH 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 to the Internet and keep the modem connection (this requires 3-way calling from your phone company).
What is a v.92 modem?
The Quick Connect (QC) feature of a v.92 modem cuts the modem negotiation or handshake time by up to 50% so you can dial-in faster. Very simply, QC will shorten the time it takes to make a connection by remembering ("training") the phone line characteristics and storing them for later usage. The average connect time for QC is between 9 - 20 seconds (depending on line conditions). A traditional modem train up is 21 seconds or more.
Why do I need or want v.92?
Although broadband technologies (DSL and Cable) are very popular, in reality, most people around the world only have access to analog phone lines. Dialup 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.
The main feature that makes a v.92 modem faster than a v.90 modem is v.44 the new compression protocol. It is based upon a compression scheme that can speed up your web browsing as much as 50%. Not all v.92 modems are required to have v.44 data compression.
Can I stay on the Internet and make a phone call?
Yes, if your phone service is equipped with 3-way calling. Initiating a call is easy with MOH. First, a MOH application is executed. This program suspends the data connection between your modem and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) so you can pick up your phone and make a normal outgoing call. The application puts the modem "on-hold", flashes the hook, and a dial tone appears on the extension handset so you can make the 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?
Your ISP determines the hold time. For example, the MOH 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. With Iserv, the modem can remain on hold for up to 12 minutes.
How much time will I have if I choose to take an incoming call?
Once again, your ISP defines the "hold" time. 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 once I drop the incoming call?
No. When you hang up the phone you can resume browsing after you train up. This time to train up is the same as the train up when you first dialed the Internet Service Provider using Quick Connect.
For more information on Iserv's v.92 modem capabilities please contact Customer Service at 888.64.ISERV.
