Can’t connect game

Hello,I’ve been playing Scrabble for years with a friend using a direct internet address connection. He switched to Qwest a couple months ago and we couldn’t connect. Qwest was no help just said turn off firewalls. Windows XP and Qwest DSL modem and my Windows XP and 2wire DSL modem firewalls are all turned off. BUT!!, we can connect if I use a 56k modem. Very strange, any ideas appreciated.
Thanks