FYI. Retailers Give Older 56K Modems The Heave-Ho
(02/25/98; 12:16 p.m. EST)
By Roger C. Lanctot, Computer Reseller News
Retailers this week began flushing their existing 56-kilobit-per-second inventory in anticipation of the arrival of new 56-Kbps modems using the new V.90 standard.
3Com, in Santa Clara, Calif., has announced shipments that are expected to hit retail shelves this week. Diamond Multimedia Systems, in San Jose, Calif., said its modems are set to ship on Monday.
Weekend advertising circulars from Computer City SuperCenter, Best Buy, Staples, and Circuit City showed internal 56-Kbps modems plunging to $49.99 after-rebate prices. At the same time, 33.6-Kbps models were available for as little as $29.99 after rebate.
The most generous deals included an Atlas Peripherals 56-Kbps internal modem at Best Buy and a Newcom 56-Kbps internal modem at Staples, each offered for $49.99 after a $30 mail-in rebate. Some of the most expensive offerings came from U.S. Robotics; Computer City advertised a U.S. Robotics 56-Kbps internal fax modem for $149.99. Zoom Telephonics' 56-Kbps modem prices were in the $99 range.
Retailers said 33.6-Kbps modems may linger on at retail, but 56-Kbps modems using either K56flex or X2 technologies instead of the new V.90 standard will be rapidly superseded by modems using the new standard. "The 56K modems we have now are pretty much glorified 33.6K modems," one buyer said.
Modem makers said ISPs will require up to six months to put the new standard into place. AT&T WorldNet was the only top 10 ISP that did not opt for either of the interim 56-Kbps technologies; the company is now likely to move quickly to put the new standard in place. |
