Please note that even though x2 modems are able to operate at speeds of up to 56 kbps, Industry Canada regulations on transmitted signal levels limit download speeds to 53 kbps (and the actual connect speed is also dependent on telephone line conditions).

Also, there are many factors which can influence the connection rate and the speed at which you transfer data. Even though one end of the connection is pure digital, there are things that can hamper an x2 connection, while not necessarily preventing it altogether. Essentially, the qualities of the phone line play an essential role in the speed of the connection. The Sympatico service has recently completed technical trials using x2, and found that a majority of our trial participantss connected at between 40 and 50 Kbps, with a small percentage connecting between 45 and 50 Kbps. Keep in mind that every call made is routed differently, so actual connect speeds will vary on each call.

The fix in most cases is to add S15=128 to the init string to disable V.42 hardware error correction. In Windows 95/98, click Start, Programs, Accessories, then Dial-Up Networking. Click your Sympatico connection with the right mouse button. Click Properties. Click the Configure button, then the Connection tab, then click the Advanced button. Add S15=128 in the Extra Settings.