3COM, MAJOR ISPS AND PC OEM PARTNERS APPLAUD
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION'S
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 56K STANDARD; 3COM'S
SOFTWARE-BASED PLATFORM ENABLES QUICK, EASY
UPGRADES
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 1998--3Com Corporation
(NASDAQ:COMS) and other industry leaders today announced their endorsement of the newly
determined 56Kbps(a) standard by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) at a
conference that concludes Friday, Feb. 6, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The standard, previously called V.pcm, will be assigned an official V-series number, which will
be announced imminently. "This determination is significant for consumers and businesses as it
enables universal compatibility, and a more enhanced and productive Internet experience," said
John McCartney, President, Client Access Business Unit at 3Com. "We're confident that we
will help meet demand for faster Internet access by shipping 56K standards-based modems in
the first calendar quarter of 1998."
According to analysts at VisionQuest 2000, the number of overall modems shipped is expected
to climb from 50 million in 1997 to 75 million in the year 2000. "A standard should breathe new
life into the market. Clearly 56K is an excellent value to users. With this standard, the risk to
ISPs has been eliminated. Now, even the smallest of ISPs should move quickly to add 56K
modems in order to meet user demand and to remain competitive with many others who have
already made a substantial investment in this new technology. With this increase in demand, we
should see some stabilization of prices as demand for 56K modems will most certainly increase,"
said Ernie Raper, VisionQuest.
"Customers have been craving a faster way to surf the Internet," said Dave Fester, group
product manager for Microsoft Internet Explorer. "With this new 56K standard in 3Com's 56K
product line along with Internet Explorer 4.0 award-winning technology, customers will be able
to satisfy their need for speed." ISPs Support Standard Determination ISPs anticipate that they
will rapidly deploy 56K standards-based service to customers. Nine out of the top 10 ISPs have
already deployed 3Com's x2(TM) technology and expect to experience easy software upgrades
to the new 56K standard with 3Com.
"Since the launch of x2 service to our customers last July, we have seen a very positive
response from our professional and small business customers who need high-speed, reliable
access," said Gene Shimshock, vice president of marketing at Netcom. "Thanks to 3Com's
commitment to the new standard, the many benefits of this technology will be available to the
broadest audience to date." "One of the main reasons we originally chose the 3Com U.S.
Robotics' Total Control product was its ease of upgrading modem technology as new standards
emerged," said Dave McPhail, manager of network operations for SNET Internet. "With 3Com
supporting the new 56K standard, we can quickly deploy the new standard and continue to
provide all our customers with the best quality of access possible."
"Web America was the first to roll-out x2 on a nationwide basis with customers logging on in 48
states," said Philip Midkiff, president of Web America. "We will continue this strategic
relationship with 3Com and intend to deploy the new V.pcm standard across the nation in a
short time frame as well." "Sprint has been instrumental in creating the Internet and continues to
implement the latest technologies to make the online experience as productive as possible," said
Terry Parker, director of product management and development, Sprint Consumer Internet
Services. "The delivery of high-speed Internet access with 3Com technology solidifies Sprint's
position as the leader in delivering the best overall Internet experience." PC OEMs Endorse 56K
Standard
"By supporting the new V.pcm standard, Gateway will continue to offer the latest in
communication technology to our customers," said Bart Brown, vice president of Gateway
Direct. "Gateway's customers are the main beneficiaries of the close relationships we foster
through our direct business model with vendors like 3Com." Compatibility and Software
Upgradeability 3Com announced interoperability testing with Lucent Technologies and other
modem vendors in January. It is also well into the process of conducting field trials for V.pcm
products worldwide. Building upon its history of providing software upgrades, 3Com plans to
offer upgrades to our existing x2 56K products.
"3Com and Texas Instruments have a long history of delivering products designed with TI's
software programmable digital signal processors (DSPs) on both ends of the connection. This
architectural advantage will allow customers to receive hassle-free upgrades to the standard,"
said Greg Delagi, general manager of DSP business at Texas Instruments. Evolution of the 56K
Standard In September 1996, 3Com was the first company to submit a proposal to the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) calling for a 56K recommendation. The work
toward a standard began in North America within the ITU's Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA) committee, and in April, 1997, the ITU officially set up a rapporteur's group
with the goal of determining an international 56K standard as quickly as possible.
During a September 1997 ITU meeting in Oregon, the committee did not reach a consensus on
several technical issues and a standard was not determined. On Dec. 5, 1997 in Orlando, the
working party agreed to a compromise on the two remaining technical issues, virtually assuring a
standard determination at the January/February 1998 ITU meeting. Today, the 56K standard
specification was determined and will be assigned an official V-series number. The technical
aspects of a determined standard are thereby frozen, although there may be subsequent editorial
changes. Because the technical aspects of the specification will not change, 3Com will ship
standards-based products and upgrades in calendar Q1 1998 -- long before the recommendation
is officially ratified.
The established practice of shipping standards-based products before the final and formal
ratification is clearly a benefit for consumers, speeding the path toward universal compatibility
and interoperability. At its September 1998 meeting, the ITU will complete the formalities at
which time the determined 56K recommendation becomes a "decision," also referred to as
ratification. About 3Com Corporation 3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations
worldwide to communicate and share information and resources at any time from anywhere. As
one of the world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology,
3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 100 million customers worldwide. The
company provides enterprises, network service providers and carriers, small businesses and
consumers with comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for
building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks. For further
information, visit 3Com's web site at 3com.com.
Note To Editors: 3Com and U.S. Robotics are registered trademarks and x2 and Total Control
are trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. A Video News Release is also available
today, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2:45-3:00 p.m. ET (14:45-15:00ET) C-Band, Galaxy 4, Transponder 17,
audio 6.2/6.8.
For more information on 3Com's U.S. Robotics 56K standard-compliant modems and upgrades
call 1-800/525-USR1. (a) 56Kbps technology refers to server download speeds only and
requires compatible modems at server sites. All x2 products are capable of 56kbps downloads;
however, due to FCC rules which restrict power output of service providers' modems, current
download speeds are limited to 53 Kbps. Actual speeds may vary depending on line conditions.
Uploads travel at speeds up to 31.2 Kbps.
CONTACT:
3Com Public Relations
Jan Rasmussen, 847/676-7901
jan_rasmussen@3com.com
or
3Com Public Relations
Sara Powers, 847/583-2643
sara_powers@3com.com
Copyright 1997, Business Wire. All of the releases provided by Business Wire are protected by copyright and other applicable laws,
treaties and conventions. Information contained in the releases is furnished by Business Wire's members, who are solely responsible for
their content, accuracy and originality. All reproduction, other than for an individual user's reference, is prohibited without prior written
permission.
nasdaq!
COMS dropped from 35 to 32 in a half-hour on high volume.
Standard's delay news was out earlier in the day. COMS closed
up seven days in a row. Profit taking seems likely to me.
o~~~ O |
