If one Net connection is fast, then two will be faster. That's the logic behind a new technology known as bonding, which increases your speed online by linking two modems working across separate ordinary phone lines. In theory, it promises that two analog modems running at 56 kilobytes per second could reach top speeds of 112 Kbps, bringing welcome relief to business owners who are tired of waiting for slow-poke Web pages. And for the most part, it delivers.

Bonding is a bit of a misnomer. Actually, the technology splits data in half, transmitting one-half across each of two telephone lines. When the data arrive at the Internet service provider, they're then stitched, or bonded, back together.

To be sure, bonding is no substitute for a real high-speed line. The performance of a dual-line Internet connection is well below that of technologies such as DSL (digital subscriber line) or cable-based Internet access. But it's a respectable performance that almost rivals ISDN (integrated services digital network). And when it comes to cost, bonding technology is even more attractive. For small businesses, the lower ISP costs and installation charges almost always save money compared with an ISDN line. What's more, there is no per-call or per-minute charge when using two phone lines, as there is with many ISDN services.

To use bonding, you'll need two phone lines -- each with its own modem and ISP account. On both counts, you'll need to choose carefully. Some ISPs might not let you share your online account simultaneously over multiple connections, and if they do, you'll likely pay more. On top of that, the lack of industry standards prevents some ISPs from supporting bonding.

MIX AND MATCH. As for modems, not all of them specifically support bonding. But they may work in tandem with systems from two of the biggest players, Diamond Multimedia's Shotgun (800 468-5846) and Boca's MidPoint Teamer (561 997-6227), which sell packages that include a modem and software. For instance, Diamond's Shotgun technology allows the company's SupraExpress 56 (from $99 to $149) to work with some modems from other manufacturers, so you won't necessarily have to purchase two new modems from the same company.

Another bonding technology is Ragula Systems' FatPipe (801 281-3434). It can combine up to four telephone lines and four ISP accounts, or two ISDN lines and two ISP accounts, into a single Internet connection that 50 employees can access across their local-area network. The cost: $299. The home version, which supports five users but lacks some features, is $49. According to the manufacturer, FatPipe supports almost any analog modem (even older and slower models), handles up to 50 simultaneous Internet connections, and requires no special software or procedure from the ISP.

All the effort is worth it once you get your system up and running. And bonding brings some extra benefits, too. Shotgun, for example, lets you make voice phone calls while you're connected to the Internet. It simply drops one of the lines so you can make your call. When you hang up, it restores the speedy, two-line connection.

Add it all up, and it means business owners get more time to run their businesses instead of drumming their fingers. In a world where speed kills, that could mean a deadly competitive advantage.

By Wayne Kawamoto in LaVerne, Calif.

This article was originally published online as part of the October 12, 1998 edition of Business Week's Enterprise.

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