I seek software that will improve my internet access speed.  My
service provider has told me that the long phone wire to my rural farm
location is the bottleneck which holds my internet speed to 26400.  I
need to improve this to at least 28800.  I don't want to spend a bunch
of money.  Is there a simple software program I can download that will
do this for me.  A right answer consists of a lead to an inexpensive
solution.

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Request for Question Clarification by techtor-ga on 20 Mar 2003 23:01 PST

Maybe you can confirm if your speed is really just 26k by using an
online speed test.

Bandwith speed testers
http://home.cfl.rr.com/eaa/Bandwidth.htm

One favorite speed test site of mine
http://bandwidthplace.com/speedtest

From my understanding of Internet technology, one is really at the
mercy of one's hardware. For expample, if you have a 28.8 modem,
there's no way it can be made higher with software. Perhaps you just
need to get your modem's latest driver program, unless you have it
already. That may be why you don't reach the modem's top speed.

Hopefully you can save up for a 56,000 bps modem or DSL. ;)

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Clarification of Question by tibiaron-ga on 21 Mar 2003 19:25 PST

My modem is a 56K with latest drivers.  It connects from an in-town
phone line at 49000.  My home is a long way from town.  I checked the
speed test at home and got 23100.  I have seen pop up spam that offers
a speed tune up, which I have not believed, but it made me wonder if
there was software or hardware that would enhanse my wimpy phone line.
 That's what I was seeking when I posted my question.  I use my
computer to listen to radio, and it can't quite keep up.  If I could
get my connection up to 28800 it would probably solve the problem. 
There is no DSL or cable in our area.  Satellite is more than I want
to spend.
Thanks for your comments
Ron

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 21 Mar 2003 19:40 PST

I can tell you how to get satellite for under $100 if you are
interested. I'm using one right now and I'm in a rural area that
offers no DSL. I'm too max'd out at 26.4 until I found this satellite
and right now I'm running over 400k.

Does this sound like something that would work for you?

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Question by tibiaron-ga on 22 Mar 2003 08:59 PST

To tutuzard;  I suppose you mean $100 a month?

To xarqi:  I do have a 60 cycle hum on the line, but my nieghbors have
the same bandwidth as I do.  We already complained to the telco, who
sent a tech out.  He said the problem was the miles of hard wire
between us and their facility.

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 22 Mar 2003 19:31 PST

No. Actually I meant under $100 - period. 

My rural area offers no high speed connection and the phone lines are
old, analog only lines. My 56k modem ran at 26.4 tops. I bought my
system for under $100 (brand new), had it deliever in 3 days by UPS,
set it up myself in under one hour and I've been running anywhere from
400k to 700k ever since. Surfing now is like changing channels on a
TV. I pay $39 per month for my service.

By the way, cable or DLS in most places costs much more.

regards;
tutuzdad-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 22 Mar 2003 19:56 PST

Here - a little gift from me to you.

PRICESHOCK.COM
http://www.priceshock.com/electronics-tv---home-video-accessories--satellite-tv.html

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by chellphill-ga on 23 Mar 2003 03:24 PST

Who is your internet service provider, and if applicable, what version
of software are you using? Have you ever tried connecting to any other
isp's, and if so was the connection speed about the same?

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Clarification of Question by tibiaron-ga on 28 Mar 2003 07:08 PST

I lost hope of any software answer to this question, but another
request for clarification has been posted, so here it comes.  I have
four different computers, each equipped differently.  One is a state
of the art machine with Windows ME, and latest MS explorer.  One
machine has Netscape 4.7.  All these computers run interenet the same
slow speed on my phone line.  These same machines run much faster on
phone lines in town.  I have tried four different ISPs, all provided
the same speed.  I disconnected my phone line at the phone box at the
street, and ran a test by connecting my computer at the street
connection terminals. The results were the same.  All the people in
this rural area report the same bandwidth (around 23000 BPS).  We
petitioned the phone company and were told to move to town if we want
a faster port.  So It appears there is no quick fix which I had hoped
for.  Thanks to all who attempted.

I think you may be out of luck.  I'd lean on your telecom company -
that is by no means an acceptable bandwidth.
However, you probably wouldn't notice the difference between 26.4 and
28.8 anyway.

Options - none cheap - DSL if possible, or a satellite link (not as
exxpensive as you might think) - maybe a microwave link if available
(unlikely if rural).  Cable TV?  Could you get a cable modem?

There really is not enough information given
to research this question. Software solution
would require

 compression/ transmission/ decommpression, 

 On both ends. That does exist: 
 
 ... benefits in performance when compressing
HTML files over a PPP modem line...
http://www.w3.org/Protocols/HTTP/Performance/Compression/PPP.html

 but requires cooperation on both ends. In pratical terms, such
programs are already build into modems. On the consumer level,
you need to talk to your ISP (again) and ask :
 given my current phone line,
what modem (which you support or could support) I can buy
which would improve my bandwith. Sometimes, upgrading to 
a later version of firmware (in your modem) can help and sometimes
that can be done for free. It depends on what modem you have and
how old it is. Website or customer service of the modem maker may
be able to help.

Looks like your only option is to complain to your teleco.  They
should be able to provide better than the bandwidth they do - At that
level, even speech quality would be poor!

Do your neighbours have a similar experience (if you have neighbours,
that is)?  It's possible that there is some bad wiring just on your
property - too many faxes, etc attached to the same line, or some
electrical noise being generated (fluorescent lights near cables,
maybe).  If the signal is noisy, as opposed to weak, your modem may
just be "training-down" to find a reliable speed.

Try increasing the buffer capacity of your internet radio client (if
possible).  That may smooth out any hollows in bandwidth.

How about satellite radio?  Might that be a solution?  It seems to be
booming - not sure of prices though.

Great - the telco has found the problem with their network.  The trick
now is to get them to FIX it!
Their story about the length of wire is just an excuse - you are
supposed to think that just because of your location, and the distance
involved, there can be no solution.  The fact is, they could fix it if
they wanted to - they could run fibre to every house - if they wanted
to..  The thing is, they won't fix it until it costs them more not to.
 Complain long and hard.  Get your neighbors to complain long and
hard.  Embarrass them in the media.  Write to your government
officials.

The problem is not technical, it is economic.

Question of clarification:

Can you get a second phone line (not over the same wires), but an
actual second phone line installed?  Have you looked into ISDN?

Review of stated options so far:
Hardware:  DSL, Cable, Sattelite, Microwave
Software:  Compression, New Modem Drivers
People options: Get phone company to upgrade lines

Other possible options:
Hardware:  
TCP/IP over Packet radio?  http://www.tapr.org/tapr/html/pktf.html 
ISDN? http://www.alumni.caltech.edu/~dank/isdn/isdn_ai.html
Multichannel aggregation over existing phone lines?
http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2Farchive%2Fwindows98%2F98w10%2F98w10%2Easp

What do you think?