A method of communicating from a personal computer via an internet by way of a service provider. The method includes transmitting, in a first frame from the personal computer to the service provider, an indicator to indicate one of a new bandwidth assignment and a default bandwidth assignment, a personal computer transmission format, and a description of personal computer capabilities. In a second frame, the service provider transmits to the personal computer an acknowledgement of the new bandwidth assignment when received and a service provider transmission format. In a third frame, the service provider transmits to the personal computer information according to the service provider transmission format and the personal computer capabilities. In a fourth frame, the personal computer transmits to the service provider information according to the personal computer transmission format.