Traveler's Tips
Top Mobile Connectivity Tips for getting your laptop connected around the world

Step 1: Test the Phone Line - Analog or Digital? Digital lines contain dangerous over-current and are not compatible with analog modems. Use the IBM Modem Saver to quickly determine if the phone system is analog or digital.

Step 2: Identify the Best Way to Connect If you have identified the system as a digital PBX you should connect using either the TeleSwitch Plus digital converter or TeleFast Plus acoustic coupler. For analog PBX systems with detachable wall jacks, the best method of connecting is using the appropriate TeleDaptor for your location. If the phone is hard wired you should connect using the Executive TeleKit or the TeleFast Plus acoustic coupler.

Step 3: Check for Pulse or Touch-Tone Dialing Before attempting to dial with your modem, you should check if the phone system uses rotary (pulse) or tone dialing. Pick up the handset and dial a few digits. Listen carefully - do you hear clicks (pulses) or touch-tones? Depending on what you hear, set your software dialing setup option box to Pulse or Tone.

Step 4: Instruct your Modem to Ignore Dial Tone Dial tone frequencies vary from country to country. The 'No Dial Tone' error is a result of your modem failing to recognize a foreign dial tone. Always configure your software to ignore dial tone through the Windows 98 Modem Control Panel Properties or by adding the X1 command to your software's initialization string.

Step 5: Check Dial-Up Networking Connections Any Windows application utilizing the Windows 98 telephony interface (TAPI or 32bit) will use the dialing information supplied for the last location used. Check your Connections Dialing Properties for the correct outside line prefix, international outside access and country code before dialing from your modem.

Step 6: Check for Tax Impulsing Signals Local telephone exchanges in many European countries use high frequency signals (pulses) to meter local phone calls. These signals will cause modem connections to retrain and disconnect. Make a local call and listen - if your hear beeps or tones at regular intervals, the system may be using tax impulsing. Connect using the TeleFilter.

Step 7: Check How Much the Call will Cost Hotels and resorts in many countries often add on expensive surcharges for providing access to your long-distance provider. Always check the hotel phone rates. If none are published, call the reception desk and ask for a rate sheet. If in doubt, use an international AT&T™, MCI™ or Sprint™ calling card. If you are using an online service such as SpryNet™, CompuServe™ or America Online™, make sure you are dialing into your service provider's local node. Not only will this save you money, it will also ensure the best possible connection. You may also save money by making shorter calls and less frequent calls, using a direct toll-free access program, such as AT&T Direct, or prepaid international phone cards.

Step 8: Verify Remote Modem Phone Number Dial the number of the remote modem from the telephone touch pad, carefully noting the exact digits you need for the country you are calling. Wait for the remote modem to answer before hanging up. You have now verified the correct telephone number and that the remote modem is answering your call.

Step 9: Does your Software need Comma Pauses Dial the remote modem or server from the telephone touch pad. Listen carefully for the entire dialing sequence, are there pauses between the time the internal phone system gets you an outside line? Are there pauses between the outside line and the international access and country code? If so, you may need to add commas to various areas of your dial string (each comma is a two second pause). Example: , 9, 001, 408 965 1400

Step 10: Check if Manual Dialing is Needed While traveling, you may spend more time and effort setting up automatic dialing for use with your calling card than actually using the modem. Will an operator be needed to place your long-distance call? Are you going to be using a calling card? If so, you may want to consider manual dialing from the telephone touch pad and transferring the call to your modem. Consult the section on Manual Dialing.

Step 11: Connect your Modem and Dial Connect your modem to the telephone system using the most appropriate product and method for your location. Whenever possible leave the telephone connected in parallel with the modem, allowing for manual dialing with your calling card or operator assistance. Instruct your software to dial, listen carefully to verify the entire dialing process. The remote modem should answer, handshake with your modem and start the connection.