In initial years, a modem providing a data rates of 56 kbps for downloading and 14.4 kbps for uploading was considered a good modem. How many bits per second could it download and upload ?

For downloading: 56 kbps = 56,000 bits per second (1 kilo bit = 1000 bits)

For uploading: 14.4 kbps = 14,400 bits per second

So, the modem could download data at a rate of 56,000 bits per second and upload data at a rate of 14,400 bits per second.