Abstract: A system and method of delaying the assignment of a modem data pump to a software application running on a client computer which is communicating with a computer network that provides a plurality of data pumps for assignment to software applications. The system separates modem function into a modem controller, which is provided locally to each client computer on which a software application is running that is to interact with a modem, and a data pump, remote from the user computer and connected by computer network, which is selected and allocated by a data pump allocator after the modem controller has obtained all modem information from the software application. The modem controller interacts with the software application providing the required timing, protocol and reply functions to prevent the software application from detecting an error based on modem communications.