Do you need a 56k modem?

A 56k modem is good for dial up, making phone calls, and other telephone protocol actions.

It really isn't needed, but it's included with most new systems today. If you are going to use High Speed Internet, don't get it.

A 24k connection is in fact pretty slow, but the real question is why. If you are using a phone line with multiple extensions, any one of them could be introducing noise into the line. If at all possible, try to connect on a phone cable that has only your modem connected with the other end connected into the phone company point of entry. (if possible disconnect the other extensions and see if problem continues, there is often a special jack that you can use to disconnect all inhouse wire and directly connect a phone or modem to). Even better is too have a dedicated line used only for your modem, but that may not be possible. Of couse, the actual wire distance from your location to the phone companies central office is also a factor and can limit the overall speed. The best clue is how the phone sounds when you are talking to other people, if you hear snapping, hissing, popping, and distorted voices, you can bet your connection speed will suck eggs. Finally, some ISP's just have crappy service in an area. I usually connect at around 46k to the major ISP's such as AOL, People PC, etc. But upon checking one locally advertised ISP, I found that it was impossible to connect at above 28.8k. I tried several modems on different lines and different PC's, and these guys just suck. One trick I have found that works sometimes is to force a call through a different telephone routing. For example, we have the option of 7 or 10 digit dialling by including or ommiting the area code when we dial. I found a downtown location that always had poor connection rates when dialing a 7 digit number, but always connected 15 to 20 k higher when dialing the same number but including the area code.

Correct. The modem is only good for 56K connection (dial up) .

56K is the only good modem for dial-up. Just make sure its atleast a good brand. If you can, Buy AT&T's cheapo DSL for about $14.99, just $5 more than the cheapest Dial-Up. DIAL-UP IS GARBAGE and it will annoy you to de@th.

When/if you move to a new home, a modem can be a handy thing to have for the few days it takes the cable or DSL company to set up and install your connection. I keep one for that reason and for trouble shooting clients' systems that use dial up.

I wouldn't buy it cause dial up is too slow plus u can get dsl with at&t for just 19.99 a month and the only thing u would need is an ethernet connection.

If you want to use dial-up, add one. If you don't ever plan on sending faxes or connecting tot the Internet with a dial-up connection, skip it and save the few bucks.

Its always nice to have, but definitly not necessary. You could use it as a backup internet connection or for fax/telephone type services.

You need it only if you ride the time machine and go back to 1995

I believe you can also use it to send and receive faxes in your computer...