3Com and Rockwell Semiconductor Systems Announce Completion of Joint Interoperability Testing of New Worldwide 56K V.90 Modem Standard
SANTA CLARA, Calif., & NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Feb. 17, 1998--
Extensive Testing Ensures Consumers Will Benefit From
Universally Compatible 56K Service
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS - news), creators of x2(TM) technology, and Rockwell Semiconductor Systems, a business unit of Rockwell International Corporation (NYSE:ROK - news), developers of K56flex technology, announced today the successful completion of interoperability testing of their respective implementations of the new ITU 56K(a) V.90 standard. True interoperability between 3Com and Rockwell technologies allows for compatibility across the 56K industry and is expected to spur market growth.
''Cooperation between 3Com and Rockwell is a major step in the development of the 56K market and the entire modem industry,'' said Lisa Pelgrim, senior analyst of Dataquest. ''True interoperability removes the last major road block in achieving a viable 56K standard. This will help speed V.90 modems to market and encourage adoption of 56K.''
Engineering teams from 3Com and Rockwell engaged in interoperability testing during the weeks following the ITU determination of 56K V.90 standard. The interoperability testing consisted of each company providing access to servers for reciprocal dial-in, connecting, training and passing data.
The ITU V.90 modem standard, comprised of a mix of K56flex and x2 technologies, was determined on February 5 in Geneva, Switzerland. V.90 modems are optimized for dial-up Internet access operating up to 56,000 bits/s from the Internet to the user and up to 33,600 bits/s from the user to the Internet.
''The successful interoperability testing indicates that we are both compliant with the V.90 standard,'' said John McCartney, president of the of the Client Access Business Unit at 3Com. ''We are extremely pleased with this progress and look forward to providing Internet Service Providers (ISPs), corporate customers and consumers with universally compatible 56K service.''
''Rockwell and 3Com made a commitment to ensure and expedite worldwide interoperability of modem products based on the V.90 standard,'' said Dwight Decker, president, Rockwell Semiconductor Systems. ''To have completed the testing process and achieve successful results over the past few weeks is a consummation of that commitment to the industry, ensuring that consumers can buy 56K modems with confidence.''
ABOUT 3COM CORPORATION
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to communicate and share information and resources at anytime 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 systems solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks. For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at 3com.com, or the press site at 3com.com.
ABOUT ROCKWELL SEMICONDUCTOR SYSTEMS
Rockwell Semiconductor Systems and Electronic Commerce is based in Newport Beach, Calif. Rockwell Semiconductor Systems is a leading worldwide provider of semiconductor system solutions for personal communications electronics products used in personal computing, network access, personal imaging, wireless communications and digital infotainment. The Electronic Commerce Division, based in Wood Dale, Ill., is a leading supplier of call center systems and personalized electronic commerce applications software. For more information, visit the Rockwell website at rss.rockwell.com.
Rockwell (NYSE: ROK - news) is a global electronic controls and communications company with leadership positions in industrial automation, avionics and communications, and semiconductor systems with fiscal 1997 sales of approximately $8 billion and 45,000 employees. Rockwell's world headquarters is located in Costa Mesa in Orange County, California.
3Com is a registered trademark and x2 is a trademark of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaires.
K56flex is a trademark of Rockwell International Corporation and Lucent Technologies.
(a) 56Kbps technology refers to server download speeds only and requires compatible modems at server sites. x2 and K56flex 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 and other factors. Uploads travel at speeds up to 31.2 Kbps. Requires analog phone line compatible with 56K technology.
Well that's some NON- EVENT!! Isn't it Mr. Smith?! |
