what happens when you ...
# /etc/rc.d/init.d/kudzu start <CR>
... or did kudzu see the modem already.
in my very short experience, if the kudzu doesn't see it, you will, at the very least, have a lot of trouble trying to use it.
also, trying to get people to dial in to our system, the windows admin bought $10 modems for their pc's. the connection client had trouble working, so i had to buy good modems that the connection client would use. there's a reason why really good modems don't seem to go down in price.
good luck.