PowerBook (FireWire and G4): Internal Modem Specifications

  • Last Modified on: January 08, 2007
  • Article: 58595
This article provides information relative to the modem used in the PowerBook (FireWire) and PowerBook G4.

The Apple internal modem supports V.90 and K56-flex standards for high-speed data connections up to 56 Kilobits per second (Kbps, and fax modem bit rates up to 14.4 Kbps.

Note: Actual download speeds vary with line conditions and your ISP's modem capabilities. FCC regulations limit ISP transmission speeds to 53Kbps in the United States.

Your modem uses a standard modem cable, with a RJ11 connector on one end and a country specific connector on the other end. In the USA both connectors are RJ11. These connectors are smaller than the ones used by Ethernet cables. Even though a phone cable will fit into the Ethernet port, your modem will only operate correctly when the phone cable is plugged into the modem port.

Apple has supplied two different modem CCL scripts for the Modem Control Panel:

  • Apple Internal 56K Modem (v.90)
  • Apple Internal 56K Modem (v.34)

For more information on which script you should use, refer to Article 58493: "Power Mac G4: Choosing Between Internal Modem Scripts".

Using the Modem Internationally

The internal modem has certifications for specific countries. To verify which specific certifications your modem has, check the in-box materials that came with your computer. However, if you need to use a modem in a country that has not been certified, you should purchase a PC Card or USB modem that has been certified for that country.

Wake on Ring Support

The PowerBook (FireWire) supports wake on ring. Wake on Ring allows the computer to wake up when an incoming call is detected on the modem port. To enable this feature, check the "Wake when the modem detects a ring" box in the Advanced Settings section of the Energy Saver control panel.

Internal modem specifications

Operating voltage and current

+5 volts (V) at 435 milliamperes (mA);

+12 V at 30 mA

Operating temperature

0° C to 40° C (32° F to 104° F)

Operating humidity

20 percent to 90 percent non-condensing

Operating altitude

0 to 3084 meters (0 to 10,000 feet)

Storage temperature

-40° C to +65° C (-40° F to +149° F)

Data communication standards

56,000 bits per second (bps) - K56flex V.90

33,600, 28,800, 26,400, 24,000, 21,600, 19,200, 16,800 bps - ITU V.34/V.FC

9600, 4800 bps - ITU V.32

2400 bps - ITU V.22 bis

2400 bps - Bell 212A

1200 bps - ITU V.22

1200/75 bps - ITU V.23

300 bps - ITU V.21

300 bps - Bell 103

Group 3 fax communication standards

14,400, 12,000 bps - ITU V.17

9600, 7200 bps - ITU V.29

4800 bps - ITU V.27 ter

2400 - ITU V.21

Miscellaneous specifications

AT command set

Extended Hayes AT command set

Error control

ITU V.42 (LAP-M), MNP Classes 2-4

Data compression

ITU V.42 bis

Data transmission and format

Full- or half-duplex operation, synchronous or asynchronous modes

Dialing capability

Tone or pulse dialing, automatic dialing

Note: The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), one of the organizations working on forming international standards for communications, recently announced the ratification of the V.90 standard for 56K modems. Before the ratification of the V.90 standard, there were two proposed standards for 56K modems; x2 and k56flex. The optional internal 56K modem supports both the V.90 and k56flex standards.

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