Faster modems generally cost more than slower modems. To use PC Access or any other communications program, you must know your modem speed in BPS, so you can tell the program what speed to use. If you are curious, here is how you can relate your modem's speed to the kind of work you do. If you are sending text information, divide the BPS by 10 to estimate the number of text characters you can send per second. For example, at 2400 BPS you can send or receive a maximum of about 240 text characters per second.
Modems come in a variety of speeds.
You can usually determine your modem's speed by looking at the documentation that came with it. This means you have a 2400 BPS modem with 9600 BPS FAX capability. Only the 2400 BPS modem speed is available to PC Access or any other communication program. To PC Access, your modem is a 2400 BPS modem. FAX programs can use the higher speed, but only for sending FAXes.