Path: utzoo!utgpu!utstat!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!killer!wnp
From: wnp@killer.Dallas.TX.US (Wolf Paul)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: Modem speeds in Europe
Message-ID: <7516@killer.Dallas.TX.US>
Date: 12 Mar 89 13:21:51 GMT
References: <198303@hrc.UUCP>
Reply-To: wnp@killer.Dallas.TX.US (Wolf Paul)
Organization: The Unix(R) Connection BBS, Dallas, Tx
Lines: 26

In article <198303@hrc.UUCP> dan@hrc.UUCP (Dan Troxel) writes:
>

I don't know why anyone would (by law or ordinance) actually restrict
modem speed.

However, there are several factors which in practice have the same effect:

1. Line quality is often very poor, so faster modems don't function
   as well.

2. National PTTs require prototype approval for modems used in their
   jurisdiction; the process to obtain that approval is often very
   complicated and almost always very expensive; unless a modem
   manufacturer or importer has realistic hopes of selling A LOT of
   these modems, they won't bother to get approval.

   In most European countries, too, only modems imported officially
   (i.e. commercialy) are approved. Therefore, even if Telebit or their
   official importer for Germany get their modems approved, that approval
   does not extend to the same modems imported privately by an end user
   or other vendor.
-- 
Wolf N. Paul * 3387 Sam Rayburn Run * Carrollton TX 75007 * (214) 306-9101
UUCP:   killer!wnp                    ESL: 62832882
DOMAIN: wnp@killer.dallas.tx.us       TLX: 910-380-0585 EES PLANO UD