Skipper--
Thanks, and I follow you, but 1) in precisely what sense is whatever it is that ROK and LU are proposing "interoperable"?, and 2) are the computer manufacturers and ISPs they suggest are "supporting" them supporting their technology, or supporting the notion of interoperability, which, as you rightly say, will be necessary if the Net's to continue to work?
Interestingly, this announcement had no effect whatsoever on USRX, ASND, or LU. They were all down.
And here's some comment, not very interesting...
Reuters Story - December 05, 1996 18:11
NEW YORK, Dec 5 (Reuter) - Rockwell Semiconductor Systems
and Lucent Technologies Inc on Thursday said a growing
bandwagon of Internet firms will support their 56K modem
technology, firing a salvo at rival U.S. Robotics Corp
in their battle to set a standard for new 56-kilobit modems.
The firms said more than 400 companies -- including
Internet service providers, modem manufacturers and computer
makers -- will support their technology.
"Inter-operability among products and services from all of
these companies will reduce confusion in the market and
simplify connecting to the Internet," said Bob Rango of
Lucent's Microelectronics Group, in a statement.
The shot was aimed at U.S. Robotics, which has developed
its own 56k modem technology, called x2. The Robotics modem
technology is set to hit the street in January, well ahead of
the competition.
Asked to respond to the announcement by Rockwell and
Lucent, U.S. Robotics' spokewoman Karen Novak said that, in the
long run, her company expected that the various parties would
arrive at a common 56k technology standard.
While declining to quantify how many companies have
endorsed its competing standard, Novak said backers include
many of the largest internet service providers. They include
America Online Inc , CompuServe Corp Netcom
On-line Communications Inc , MCI Communications Corp
and International Business Machine Corp's IBM
Global Network.
-- Franklin Paul, New York Newsdesk +1 212 859 1610
Janice |
