* Crossposted from: Net 105 echo

From: Ed Ellers 
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: V.90 "56K" Modems Accepted by ITU
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 21:00:27 -0500

The International Telecommunication Union agreed today on the
technical specifications for PCM modems (also known as 56K modems) and
has initiated the formal approval process.

The new Recommendation, designated V.90, is expected to be widely used
for applications such as Internet and on-line service access. V.90
modems are designed for connections which are digital at one end and
have only one digital-to-analogue conversion. Download speeds of up to
56,000 bits per second (bit/s) are possible, depending on telephone
line conditions, with upload speeds of up to 33,600 bit/s. Manufacturers  
currently producing modems based on proprietary schemes have already
stated they will rapidly migrate to the new standard.

Work began on the development of V.90 (previously referred to as
V.pcm) in the ITU-T in March 1997. "This is the shortest period of
time ever taken for an ITU-T modem Recommendation to achieve
'determination' approval status, and demonstrates a commitment by the
ITU-T to respond quickly to urgent market needs", said Mr. P.A. Probst, 
Chairman of Study Group 16.

The V.90 modem harmonizes the two competing proposals submitted last
year.  Customers who have purchased 56kbps modems based on either
technology may be able to get software to make their devices
compatible with the new ones developed on the V.90 standard.

                  -------------------------

V.90 Upgrade Announcements:

3Com (USRobotics, Megahertz) -- will have free upgrades available for
all of its X2 modems; it expects that modems sold with X2 capability
will take a firmware upgrade, while those sold as 33.6 modems and
upgraded to X2 may need a hardware upgrade which will be supplied at
no charge.  Details will be posted on February 16 at
http://www.3com.com/56k/.

Diamond Multimedia (Supra) -- hasn't yet posted a release on its Web
site, but previously has said that free firmware upgrades will be
available for its 56K modems.

Hayes -- has said previously that "Hayes' 56K Satisfaction program
guarantees this upgrade will be available at no cost to all Hayes 56K
desktop modem customers regardless of whether the upgrade requires a
hardware or software change."  Hayes' 56K Standard Page is at
http://www.practinet.com, the former Practical Peripherals URL.


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