OS/2 Shareware BBS: 16 Announce/16-Announce.zip/usrpress.zip/PRESS.TXT

Text File | 1994-02-28 | 6KB | 138 lines

THE END TO MODEM MARKET CONFUSION:
U.S. ROBOTICS OFFERS FOUR NEW MODEMS SUPPORTING EVERY PROTOCOL

New Courier Modems Include V.32 terbo, V.Fast Class,
Free FLASH ROM Upgrade to ITU-T V.34 Standard

SKOKIE, Ill., February 28, 1994 -- U.S. Robotics, Inc. (NASDAQ:USRX)
today announced four new modems in its Courier modem line.  The modems
are the first and only to support all three major high-speed
protocols: AT&T's V.32 terbo (19.2 Kbps); Rockwell's V.Fast Class
(28.8 Kbps); and V.34, the forthcoming ITU-T standard for 28.8 Kbps.
The new modems are the only products to provide universal
compatibility with any modem at the highest speed possible.

The V.34 protocol will be added to the new modems through a user-
downloadable software upgrade; the upgrade to V.34 is free.  The
announcement comes on the heels of the ITU-T's completion of the V.34
draft, finalized during its February 14-15 meeting in Orlando, Fla.

"We're removing the burden on the consumer by making the choice of a
high-speed protocol a non-issue," said Jonathan Zakin, U.S. Robotics
executive vice president.  "Because compatibility is important, the
clear choice is a modem that supports multiple protocols.  A Courier
modem guarantees a connection at the highest speed possible, no matter
what kind of modem it's connecting to, ensuring the optimum savings of
time and money."

The products are based on a new Courier modem platform, which will be
available in six weeks.  The new design is FLASH ROM-based, for
software-downloadable upgradability; upgrades to V.34 from this
platform will be available at no charge.  Based on U.S. Robotics'
proprietary, DSP-based technology, this architecture provides the
flexibility to include multiple high-speed protocols.  The products
will be available initially in the U.S. and Canada, and in country-
specific versions for Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland and the United
Kingdom, with others to follow.

U.S. Robotics is conducting a large-scale field trial of the new
platform, which will involve extensive field testing by customers
prior to the products' actual shipment in mid-April.  Field trials are
scheduled to begin March 15; there will be a wide range of
participants, including U.S. Robotics' major corporate customers.

V.34 Compatibility Key for Customer Base, High-Speed Applications

"Our corporate customers adopt products that support internationally-
recognized standards," added Zakin.  "The new platform gives them
future compatibility with the ITU-T V.34 standard at no cost,
providing a software-downloadable upgrade that makes it easy for them
to implement V.34 as soon as possible."

"The new speeds open the door for new applications," continued Zakin.
"Dial-up is fast becoming an appealing alternative to services such as
Switched 56, often providing a more cost-effective answer to corporate
connectivity needs.  This is key for today's companies, who want to
optimize their return on investment."

Modems Provide Extensive Feature, Protocol Support

The company's announcement includes four new modems, which provide
extensive support for modem features and protocols.  The new
products are:

   Courier V.Fast Class Fax
   Courier V.Fast Class Fax/PC
   Courier HST Dual Standard V.Fast Class Fax
   Courier HST Dual Standard V.Fast Class Fax/PC

Each new product includes:

   V.32 terbo, the AT&T 19.2 Kbps protocol (Courier-to-Courier
   operation at 21.6 Kbps)

   V.Fast Class, the Rockwell proprietary protocol for 28.8 Kbps

   V.17, the ITU-T fax protocol for 14.4 Kbps faxing

   Free V.34 Upgrade, software-downloadable for international
   compatibility at 28.8 Kbps

The products will be available in external and internal versions, and
provide optional HST and HST Cellular capabilities.  HST is the
company's proprietary protocol for 16.8 Kbps, providing compatibility
with the installed base of HST modems; HST Cellular, introduced last
year, provides high-speed cellular data transmission.

The new Courier modems also include several advanced features,
including Quick Connect, for shortened connect times, dial security,
call selection, remote configuration and V.25 bis, for
synchronous environments.  The products will also include U.S.
Robotics' proprietary Adaptive Speed Leveling (ASL) for increased
throughput on Courier-to-Courier connections.

The products also provide ITU-T V.42 and V.42 bis error control and
data compression, as well as backward compatibility with V.32 bis,
V.32 and other standard modem protocols.

Courier Modem Architecture Key to Flexibility

"Our architecture gives us a distinct advantage in this arena," said
Zakin.  "It enables us to bring products to market quickly, and gives
us the flexibility to implement numerous high-speed protocols in a
single product."

The company has not yet announced pricing on these products; pricing
will be announced in April.

U.S. Robotics will provide an upgrade path to the new platform from
previous products; most Courier V.32 bis and all Courier V.32 terbo
products are field upgradable via a daughterboard swap.  Older model
Courier modems may be traded in through a program the company will
implement this spring.

U.S. Robotics, Inc., (NASDAQ:USRX), is a leading designer,
manufacturer and marketer of data communications systems and products.
Both corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations are based in
Skokie, Illinois.  U.S. Robotics owns and operates U.S. Robotics Ltd.
in Slough, England, U.S. Robotics, s.a. in Lille, France and P.N.B.
s.a., based in Suresnes, France.  The company markets its products to
business, industry, government agencies and original equipment
manufacturers, and to end-users through the personal computer
distribution channel.

# # # # #

Please refer reader inquiries to U.S. Robotics, Inc., at 1-800-DIAL
USR.  All products mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks
of their respective manufacturers.


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