Generally speaking, the time it takes to transmit a fax can range from a few quick seconds to several minutes per page.
Transmission times depend heavily on the method you intend to use to send the fax, as well as the speed of your phone line or internet connection.
Traditionally, modern fax machines are built to send files or documents to a number linked to a printer or a corresponding fax machine. Today, there are many means of faxing a range of files, such as online fax services, or faxing mobile apps such as our own Fax App.
What is Fax Machine Transmission Speed?
Fax transmission speed refers to the time it takes to send a fax. While a difference of a few seconds more or less per page may not seem like much, it can make a huge difference for faxes with larger document sizes.
When hundreds of pages are involved, any way to speed up the time per page is welcome. A standard fax machine can take up to several minutes per page, whereas an online fax service can reduce that time down to a few seconds per page. Some apps, such as Fax App, can even transmit a fax instantaneously.
Is an Online Faxing Service Faster Than a Traditional Fax Machine?
Whether you are looking to go paperless or simply improve the speed of your fax transmission, you may consider switching from a traditional fax machine to an online fax app.
These online services allow you to send a fax over the Internet, which is a much faster option than sending a traditional fax.
If you have a fast internet connection or strong mobile data, sending a fax online should only take a few seconds per page. Larger files with many images may take longer, but the transmission time will still be much more rapid than a traditional fax machine.
Why is My Fax Transmission Taking So Long to Go Through?
Several factors may be contributing to a slow fax speed. Be sure to check on the following to ensure a speedy delivery:
Document Size
No matter the contents of your file or what type of machine or faxing service you use, the volume of the data contributes greatly to the time it takes to send.
A small, plain text document will be the quickest file type to send. Something larger with more pages or a file that is particularly image-heavy will take much longer.
Image Quality
If you plan to send a document containing full-color images, the image quality will greatly affect the time it takes to send the fax.
Low-quality images in a document may not greatly affect the time it takes to send the file. However, a document rich with colorful, detailed images, graphs, and charts will take far longer to send.
Line Quality
Your connection, whether using a traditional fax machine that requires a phone line or a digital service that utilizes the internet or mobile data, plays a crucial role in determining the speed of sending your fax. Line quality is essential for rapid transmission.
The strength of this connection involves both the sending fax machine and the receiving fax machine. If one component has a strong internet connection or phone line, but the other has a poor connection, you may experience issues and slowness when sending and receiving faxes.
Number of Pages
While this may seem like the most obvious factor contributing to the speed of a fax transmission, the number of pages also affects the transmission rate.
Though each page will not necessarily be sent at the same rate, you can estimate it will take approximately 30 seconds per page – or more for a complex, image-rich file. Using a digital fax service instead of a traditional fax machine will drastically reduce the time it takes to transmit.
Can I Optimize my Fax Transmission Times?
If you find that your faxes are consistently sent and received slowly, there are ways you can optimize your speed.
File compression is an excellent option for files where transmission time takes precedence over quality. Compressing a file is a method of reducing repetitive information to make the file smaller and, therefore, easier to send.
While compressed files are more convenient to send, they are generally lower in quality. This may affect the file’s readability if it contains a lot of small text or images.
Compression tends to work better for files with a lot of blank space. Paired with a strong internet connection, a file with a large amount of white space can be transmitted much faster than a regular file.
Is Faxing Still Relevant Today?
Some folks might ask themselves, is faxing still relevant in today’s age of advanced technology?
The short answer is – YES!
Faxing is a reliable mode of file sharing that is still utilized worldwide. In fact, it is one of the most secure ways to send documents, as it eliminates the threat of malware or interception.
Unlike communication methods like texts and emails, faxes ALWAYS confirm receipt, including the date and time of the transmission and the sender and recipient’s fax machine numbers. This provides an accurate audit trail and legal protection.
As an added bonus, fax transmission is a HIPAA-compliant method of communication and is, therefore, still widely used in the healthcare industry.
For businesses that wish to modernize or go paperless, online services and mobile applications such as Fax App are the ideal options for faxing pages quickly and efficiently with maximum security.
What Are the Benefits of Digital Fax Services and Mobile Apps?
Online faxing services and mobile applications offer a new wave of technology that departs from the more traditional methods of the standard fax machines. Users are migrating in droves to the newer online fax options, which enable them to enjoy a faster, more efficient fax process.
Let’s explore the many benefits of using an online fax service or application such as Fax App in place of a standard fax machine.
Cost Effective
When using an app or digital fax service, there is no cost for maintaining a physical fax machine. Additionally, you will no longer need to spend money on toner, ink, and paper for the machine.
Eco-Conscious
No more wasting paper or other supplies! When you use a digital faxing method, you are contributing to a greener future for our planet.
Saves Time and Effort
Perhaps the biggest benefit of online faxing methods is the ease of use and time-saving aspects. You can easily send a fax from anywhere – your phone, laptop, computer, etc.
You will no longer waste time on misdials, disconnections, and busy signals. Quickly and easily send a fax via the Fax App today!
Ultimate Storage Security
All your most important documents will be saved within a secure online storage repository or in your mobile app. Many apps provide unlimited storage to ensure you’ll never lose your important data.
Step into the Future of Fax Transmissions with Fax App
Without a doubt, a mobile application such as Fax App provides the most efficient and user-friendly method of fax transmission possible.
Step into the future of faxing with Fax App and experience the stability and reliability of traditional faxing paired with the convenience of cutting-edge technology.