However, two major things can happen to degrade performance of PCM modems. The first is simply analog characteristics of the wire. However, the bottom line is that neither X2 nor K56flex handle all of the permutations and combinations of impairments well. A another important issue that should be raised is the issue of is throughput versus connect speed. Also, connect rate is only an initial indicator of what speed will be achieved.
Modems often shift up or down in speed based on the line.
Therefore, measuring throughput over time is a MUCH better indicator of the performance a user will actually see. Furthermore, the conclusion that any differences that exist between x2 and K56Flex will be carried forward to the V.90 products is wrong on its face. The standard establishes the protocol and speed at which the modems will connect. We would like to believe that advertising dollars do not influence editorial content, and we have no reason to believe it did in this case. So come on Boardwatch, fess up, you blew it on this one and you owe it to your readers to admit it.