uhm.. I never use this module. but looking at the docs it looks like you just copied some lines of the synopsis?

Try some testing like:

  $modem->is_active();          # Tests whether modem device is active
+ or not
                                # So far it works for modem OFF/ modem
+ ON condition
[download]

And you might also want to check out the examples/dial.pl examples/shell.pl, and examples/active.pl scripts that come with the module.

And please use <CODE> tags next post? ;)

Teabag
Sure there's more than one way, but one just needs one anyway - Teabag