whych, the modem is all that’s available in my local except for satellite systems. Like you stated, even a small download can take hours. The 10.3 mini-iso took five hours!
Your suggestion of installing the 11.0 from my DVD seems a good next step. That will get me supported SW until 11.2 or 11.3 comes along.
Regarding /usr/sbin/hwinfo --modem, the command is doing something, but nothing is left in the terminal. I can pursue that farther on my own.
Frank K