Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit-Terminating Explained

This article describes data terminal equipment (DTE) and data circuit- terminating equipment (DCE) modem transmission rates.

There are two speeds involved when you make a modem connection from one computer to another. The DTE speed is the speed at which data is sent from your central processing unit (CPU) to the modem. The DCE speed is the speed that the data is actually sent over the telephone line.

When your modem is in use, Windows tries to report the most accurate speed at which your computer is connecting, usually the DCE speed. If the DCE speed is unavailable, or is reported in a format that is not recognized by Windows, Windows reports the connection speed using the DTE connection rate from the computer to the modem.

For example, if Windows is reporting a connection speed of 38,400 bps, 57,600 bps, or 115,200 bps, the result code is most likely being sent from the modem to the computer when your modem connects and is not being properly recognized. Instead, Windows is reporting the connection speed using the resulting DTE speed.

As modem speeds have increased, one way to prevent speed losses is to maximize the DTE speed between your modem and the computer. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Modems.
2. Click the modem for which you want to change the DTE speed, and then click Properties.
3. In the Maximum speed box, click 115200, click OK, click Close, and then close Control Panel.