ANOTHER LOOK? - Cirrus Logic Signs Letter of Intent
To License 56Kbps Modem
Technology From U.S. Robotics
FREMONT, Calif. - Nov. 13, 1996 - Cirrus Logic Inc.
(Nasdaq:CRUS) today announced that it has signed a letter
of intent with U.S. Robotics Corporation. (Nasdaq:USRX)
to license the latter's new x2TM modem technology for
enabling 56Kbps Internet data rates over common (POTS)
phone lines. Cirrus Logic intends to offer x2-compliant
modem chipset solutions, based on its current FastPathTM
Telephony Platform, as Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
begin deploying higher data rate service.
"We are firm in our commitment to support the establishment
and deployment of worldwide 56Kbps capability," said
George Alexy, senior vice president of marketing for Cirrus
Logic. "We look forward to working closely with industry
leaders such as U.S. Robotics - not only to encourage
adoption of a worldwide standard - but also to give PC
users early, easy and affordable access to 56Kbps
performance along the way."
U.S. Robotics reports that its new x2 technology increases
the top speed for downloading data from 33.6 Kbps up to
56 Kbps -- equivalent to many Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN) connections, but without the need for
expensive new central office equipment required by other
high-speed technologies. When U.S. Robotics recently
unveiled its x2 technology, it also announced that major ISPs
such as America Online, Compuserve, MCI, Netcom, IBM
Global Network, Prodigy and many others representing a
total subscriber base in excess of 15 million are expected to
deploy service based on U.S.Robotics' x2 technology.
Cirrus Logic believes that its current FastPath modem
chipset has both the performance "headroom" and flexibility
to rapidly bring x2 technology to market. Cirrus Logic
expects the increasing popularity of surfing the Internet to
create a growing demand for higher data rates for
downloading a proliferation of exciting multimedia content
With a belief that Internet access over POTS will continue to
dominate the market for some time, Cirrus Logic noted that
its powerful FastPath platform,when combined with the new
x2 technology, will speed the delivery of information and
minimize long waits for downloading, and thereby boost the
productivity of PC and other Internet appliance users.
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David, I was just giving everything another look and realized how LITTLE time we have devoted to the Cirrus alliance.
I'm not even familiar with the "FastPathTM Telephony platform".
WHO uses this "platform" at present.
WHAT'S in it for Cirrus?
I think I'm going for a little excursion over to the Cirrus Thread and Website. It's got me curious. |
