modems for use in the hinterlands

I am in the unenviable position of living 17 miles from the nearest phone switch, so dsl and cable modems are totally out. I am not ready to jump on the satelite bandwagon, but can anyone out there recommend a really good brand and/or manufacturer of modems that can handle poor quality phone lines, some noise that filters through and in general a not super great connection. I currently have a Zoom 56K and it is not meeting the challenge. The really great thing about where I live is that the nearest neighbor is 3/4’s of a mile away.

Thanks to all who have ideas.