3Com Unveils V.90 56K Standard Upgrades
Upgrades For World's Number One Selling U.S. Robotics Desktop Modems Available Now
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 1998--3Com Corp. (NASDAQ:COMS - news) today announced the availability of V.90 56K(a) standard upgrades for its award-winning U.S. Robotics desktop modem line.
Additionally, 3Com has released details regarding its hassle-free V.90 upgrade program. Owners of U.S. Robotics x2(TM) modems are guaranteed free upgrades to the new ITU 56K standard. This includes both 33.6 modems previously upgraded to x2 technology and all x2-native 56K modems.
Backward Compatibility
Once upgraded to V.90, all U.S. Robotics modems are fully backward compatible with x2 technology, enabling users to upgrade with confidence that high-speed service will not be interrupted during their ISP's transition to the V.90 standard. Without backward compatibility, users would be forced to connect at slower V.34 speeds until ISPs have upgraded to V.90.
''One of the most important factors in making the transition from proprietary 56K technologies to V.90 easy for both end users and ISPs is backward compatibility,'' said Lisa Pelgrim, senior analyst at Dataquest. ''Unlike some competing modem designs, 3Com's ability to simultaneously support both V.90 and its 56K predecessor in the same product is a major competitive advantage. Users will not have to continually re-install or re-flash their modems to maintain 56K compatibility with the various ports they are dialing into.''
Hassle-Free Upgrades
''3Com's V.90 upgrade program has been specifically engineered to provide the smoothest transition to the new 56K standard,'' said Don Fotsch, vice president of product management for 3Com's Personal Communications Division. ''Our software upgradable platform accelerates U.S. Robotics modem owners along the path to the best possible Internet experience. After a quick and easy upgrade, users will enjoy the fast download speeds and universal compatibility that the 56K standard offers.''
In 1997, 3Com offered its modem users a simple $60 upgrade path from 33.6 to 56K technology. Utilizing this experience, 3Com offers an even easier upgrade path to the V.90 56K standard. 3Com's 56K Central Web site (www.3com.com/56k) has all the tools needed to determine how to upgrade a U.S. Robotics modem. With 3Com's exclusive Upgrade Advisor Web site, the user simply selects their modem's model number from a list, and the system provides details as to how the user must upgrade. The Upgrade Advisor also indicates the charge for the upgrade(b), and when the upgrade will be available.
Because all 56K native and most 33.6 U.S. Robotics modems are software upgradable, the majority of users will upgrade to V.90 using 3Com's Modem Update Wizard utility. The Modem Update Wizard can be obtained through a simple software download from 3Com's 56K Central site. After a quick and easy install, the Modem Update Wizard identifies the make and model of the user's U.S. Robotics modem. It then automatically dials into 3Com and upgrades the modem to V.90 technology.
A small number of U.S. Robotics modem owners may require a hardware upgrade to the V.90 standard. In these cases, 3Com has also ensured the user experiences a hassle-free process: The Upgrade Advisor informs the user that they must engage in a board swap. Orders can be placed by calling 1-888-IWANT56, and 3Com will ship the V.90 board directly to the user under an advanced exchange program. Once the upgrade is received, the user is required to return their original board to 3Com. This allows the user to upgrade to a faster modem without having to be without a modem. All of 3Com's board-swap upgrades feature software upgradable designs. This protects the user's investment, allowing future upgrades to be accomplished by software download.
Availability
Today, 3Com has announced the availability of upgrades for its best-selling U.S. Robotics data/fax modems - internal, external and Macintosh models. Users can determine how they may obtain their upgrade using the Upgrade Advisor on 3Com's 56K Central Web site. Upgrades for other 3Com modems will become available shortly. For the latest information and availability dates, please visit www.3com.com/56k, or dial 1-888-IWANT56.
Technical Support
3Com has a team available from 8AM to 6PM CST Monday through Friday to answer questions and ensure that everyone's upgrade transition runs smoothly. 3Com technical support can be reached by phone at 847/982-5151, by email at support@usr.com, or on the Web at www.usr.com/home/online.
The V.90 Standard
On Feb. 17, 1998, 3Com shipped the industry's first International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standard-based V.90 modems. 3Com's V.90 products provide their customers a universally interoperable solution with backward compatibility supporting x2 technology and V.90.
The 56K standard specification was determined at the February meetings of the ITU in Geneva, Switzerland. At that time, it was given its official V-series number -- V.90. The technical aspects of a determined standard were thereby frozen, although there may be subsequent editorial changes. 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.
One of the chief benefits of V.90 technology is its universal compatibility. This enables modem owners to connect to any 56K ISP, regardless of which modem manufacturer's equipment is being used. To that end, 3Com unveiled its Interoperability Testing Program in February, 1998. The program was designed to accelerate universal compatibility across the modem industry. On February 17th, 1998, 3Com and Rockwell Semiconductor Systems announced the successful completion of interoperability testing of their respective implementations of the V.90 standard. True interoperability between 3Com and Rockwell technologies allows for compatibility across the 56K industry and is expected to spur market growth.
About 3Com Corp.
3Com Corp. 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 system 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.
(a) 56Kbps technology refers to server download speeds only and requires compatible modems at server sites. All V.90 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. Requires phone line compatible with 56K technology.
(b) 33.6 modem owners can upgrade to V.90, but they will be charged $60. Free upgrades to V.90 technology apply only to x2-native modems, and modems that were previously upgraded from 33.6 technology to x2 technology.
For more information on 3Com's U.S. Robotics 56K standard-compliant modems and upgrades call 1-800-525-USR1.
Note to Editors: 3Com and U.S. Robotics are registered trademarks and x2 is a trademark of 3Com Corp. or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
