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.

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 95 Modem Control Panel, Properties window or by adding the X1 command to your software's modem initialization string.

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, so connect to the phone line using a tax impulse filter. The following countries are currently using tax impulsing at the listed frequencies: Austria 12KHz; Belgium 16KHz but Not mandatory; Czech/Slovakian Rep. 16 KHz; Germany 16 KHz; Spain 12 KHz but Not Mandatory; and Switzerland 12 KHz. 

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.

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.

Dial the remote modem or server from the telephone touch pad. Listen carefully for the entire dialing sequence to determine if there are pauses between the time the internal phone system gets you an outside line and the connection to the outside line and/or 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: ,9,001,4089651400

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. 

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 (i.e., your phone and your computer plugged into the US RJ-11 doubler), allowing for manual dialing with your calling card and/or operator assistance. Instruct your software to dial, listen and take note of the entire dialing process.