text: how can i speed up my slow dial up connection? my husband uses the same phone line i do, same provider, but his laptop computer and hooks up at 48kpbs, i can't get over 26.4kpbs. as the other posts say your modem may need to be upgraded  if your modem is somewhat modern disregaurd upgrade requests  the most important thing about dial up is the longer the telephone lines leading to your modem the more latency and less bandwith you will have "it will be slower"  also if your telephone line is oversized and you have it coiled up it will increase the latency due to electrical resistance or impedance "long straight cable if possible"  one more thing florecent lightbulbs and electric motors computer monitors tv screens and about all other forms of electronic devices create emf (electromagnitec interferance) attempt to plug a phone into the back of the computer and pick it up if you have anything other than clean dial tone "crackles poping vibrating or other noises perhaps even am radio noise" do anything possible to reduce the ammount of telephone wire leading to your modem "no extra devices near cable"  also certain computer stores sell shielded cat3 and even cat5 telephone wire  get the shielded telephone wire "pricy perhaps $5usd for 10 feet instead of 100ft for $1"  your computers software settings may be the culprit  make shure your modem properties page lists the connection speed as min 57600bps at least with 115200bps as max "in the controll panel under modem"  you could also try cleaning the brass connections in the tiny plastic connector on your phone line with a standard pencil erasor "jeeze why bother for 10 ms latency lower"  bottom line the shorter the distance of cable from the wall to your computer the better and no fans or lights near the cables or get the shielded cable