Distinguishing Voice/Fax/Data


Question:  Is my modem capable of distinguishing between voice, fax,
           and data calls?

Answer:  No. U.S. Robotics modems can not distinguish between all
         three. U.S. Robotics modems will answer any type of call, 
         whether it is voice, data, or fax. If it is from a fax 
         machine, and you own a U.S. Robotics Fax/Data Modem, it 
         will recognize it as a fax call and pass that call to the 
         fax software on your PC. Except for our voice modems, 
         U.S. Robotics modems are not designed to route a call to 
         your fax or voice message machine. If a person calls your 
         modem, it will answer and send a handshaking signal and 
         wait for a reply. If a voice call is received by the modem,
         and it is not a voice modem, the modem will hang-up.  If 
         you will be accepting both voice and data calls on the line 
         your modem is attached to, you may want to set the 
         modem/software to answer on a greater number of rings. 
         This will allow you time to pick up the phone before the 
         modem answers.

Solution:
         1.  Buy separate lines for your fax machine, telephone, 
             and modem.
         2.  Buy one additional line and use a U.S. Robotics 
             fax/data modem to receive both data and fax calls on 
             your computer.  Or if you own a voice modem, you have 
             more options, but will still need an additional line to 
             use all three at once.  
         3.  Purchase a switch that will direct a call to the right 
             system. A typical voice/data/fax switch has one incoming 
             line and three outgoing lines(one for fax, one for data, 
             and one for a telephone or answering machine). It 
             automatically detects and transfers a call to the 
             appropriate line. These switches are available at most 
             larger electronic computer stores.
  
             Note:  The switch does not make the line capable of 
                    more than one call at a time.