network

56k modems utilized digital phone lines despite originally using analog audio due to technological advancements. While speeds peaked at 33.6 kbps under the old system, the shift to digital transmission in the phone network allowed modems to achieve higher speeds, namely 56 kbps, by sending digital data directly through the network instead of converting it to analog for transmission. This innovation led to new standards like V.90, which improved internet use before broadband became prevalent. However, actual speeds varied due to line quality and distance, with 53 kbps being a more common realistic peak.

https://hackaday.com/2025/03/06/why-56k-modems-relied-on-digital-phone-lines-you-didnt-know-we-had/