YouTube on dial-up in 2025? The Serial Port bonded 12×56K via Multilink PPP to hit 668.8 kbit/s—smooth streaming and a likely record on a Windows XP rig.
© YouTube / The Serial Port
The team behind the YouTube channel The Serial Port decided to test whether YouTube could still be watched over dial-up in 2025. To pull it off, they bonded twelve classic 56K modems using Multilink PPP (MPPP) and hit 668.8 kbit/s—likely a world record for this type of connection.
The experiment ran on a Windows XP PC equipped with expansion cards for extra COM ports, a Cisco VoIP gateway, and ten phone lines. After numerous attempts and plenty of driver and settings wrangling, they managed to get all twelve devices working in tandem, and the familiar chorus of dial-up tones became a satisfying sign that everything finally clicked.
The achieved speed proved enough to stream YouTube without noticeable delays: after a brief pause, videos started and played smoothly. For comparison, four modems would have been sufficient for 240p at minimum quality, but the team wanted to see how far MPPP could be pushed.
The creators noted they found no evidence of anyone using more than four modems at once and do not rule out that they set a new record. The outcome suggests that even outdated tech can be coaxed into impressive form—more for fun and historical flavor than for everyday utility, and with a touch of nostalgia that makes the whole stunt oddly charming.