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U.S. ROBOTICS SHATTERS SPEED BARRIER: DELIVERS 56 Kbps OVER STANDARD
TELEPHONE LINES
Internet Service Providers Embrace New x2 Technology; Plan Field Trials &
Roll-Out
Skokie, Ill., October 16, 1996 -- U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ:USRX) today
announced a key breakthrough in modem technology that provides Internet and
on-line connections at speeds nearly twice as fast as those currently
available over standard telephone lines.

U.S. Robotics' new x2 increases the top speed of a standard modem for
downloading data from 28.8 or 33.6 Kbps 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.

Service Providers Sign Up for x2 U.S. Robotics also announced that the
world's leading Internet and on-line service providers support x2.  To
date, more than 30 service providers worldwide have agreed to participate
in field trials with broad roll-out plans to follow.

"As the worldwide leader in providing consumer Internet on-line services,
America Online is excited about the x2 technology that will provide our
more than 6.2 million members the ability to access AOL at even faster
speeds," said Matt Korn, vice president, operations, America Online.  "We
will continue to work with innovative technology, like x2, which will
expand our members' experience and enable them to use a variety of
multimedia services on AOL." "We plan to aggressively deploy this new
high-speed modem technology across the IBM Global Network's more than 500
local calling points in the U.S.," said Gary Weis, general manager,
worldwide operations, IBM Global Network.  "As soon as this new feature
becomes available, the IBM Global Network will implement x2 via our
automated software download process that enables customers to obtain
network enhancements like this easily and quickly," he said.  In the near
term, IBM Global Network will use x2 technology in the U.S., Canada and 14
other countries.


"If you'd said a year ago that an average home user could be on the Net at
56 Kbps, people would probably have accused you of being mad -- but the
future seems to keep arriving ahead of schedule," said Paul Rivers,
technical director at UUNET PIPEX, a leading Internet Service Provider in
the United Kingdom.  "U.S. Robotics has 'come up trumps' again, and UUNET
PIPEX will upgrade its network to the fastest speed possible the instant
the technology becomes available."

These service providers already use U.S. Robotics' Total Control Enterprise
Network Hub, a remote access server, which will enable them to quickly and
easily upgrade their networks and offer x2 service to millions of existing
subscribers.

With the introduction of x2, U.S. Robotics will deliver the industry's only
immediate, end-to-end higher speed solution for both individuals and
service providers.  "No other company has both the market presence and
systems architecture to immediately provide on-line and Internet Service
Providers (ISPs) with a significantly faster and better Internet
experience," said Casey Cowell, chairman, chief executive officer and
president of U.S. Robotics.

U.S. Robotics submitted a proposal for 56 Kbps modem speeds to the ITU-T in
September.  As a key contributor to many past standards, the company plans
to lead the effort to standardize 56 Kbps technology worldwide.  However,
because of the typically lengthy time to bring a standard to fruition, U.S.
Robotics is bringing x2, a proprietary technology, to market immediately.

"The unique combination of USR's market leadership in modems and Texas
Instruments' market leadership in DSP (Digital Signal Processor) solutions
will set a new standard in Internet access for the networked society," said
Rich Templeton, SemiConductor Group president for Texas Instruments.
"USR's new x2 technology enables solutions for a wide variety of
communications products, and TI is pleased to be part of this innovative
technology."

Why Faster is Better
Surfing the World Wide Web has become immensely
popular, but the increase in complex graphical content on web sites has
slowed the downloading process.  x2 substantially speeds up the delivery of
information and reduces time wasted waiting for information, thereby
increasing productivity for users.

"As the Internet continues to evolve from a novelty into an important
business tool, customers are demanding faster and more reliable service,"
said Steve Tabaska, executive director, MCI data services engineering.
"Through the use of U.S. Robotics' x2 technology, MCI will be able to offer
our dial-up Internet customers faster connectivity without the added
expense of an ISDN line."

Most Internet access continues to take place over regular telephone lines,
so x2 technology is expected to have a widespread impact.  "Increasing the
speed at which data can be delivered will dramatically improve service for
those already using the Internet, and it will encourage more people to get
connected," Cowell said.

x2 Enhances Corporate Remote Access
Any corporation can easily add x2 to existing Total Control systems through
a software upgrade.  This flexible upgrade path is unmatched in the
industry and is the reason many major corporations have standardized on
Total Control.  The system was designed with "investment protection," which
allows customers to easily take advantage of new technologies without
completely changing to new hardware in their networks.

U.S. Robotics' corporate and smaller ISP customers also will benefit from
the company's other remote access products that will offer x2.

"Corporate applications are fueling tremendous growth in remote access,"
Cowell said.  "As the top remote access provider, U.S. Robotics will be the
company that delivers multiple higher-speed solutions," he said.

x2 Technology Boosts "Downstream" Data Delivery U.S. Robotics develops its
own modem technology, unlike competitors who purchase "chipsets" from third
parties.  By using DSPs, which are programmable modem engines, U.S.
Robotics has the flexibility to innovate new capabilities, unlike most
other companies.

x2 is an asymmetrical technology that supplies 56 Kbps "downstream" for
transmissions from service providers.  It takes advantage of a special
network configuration commonly encountered when an analog subscriber
establishes a connection with a data server that is digitally connected to
the Digital Telephone Network (DTN).  This new transmission technique
differs fundamentally from the modulation techniques used for high speed
modems.

This model is ideal for Internet or remote access because information sent
to the individual desktop is typically graphics-based and requires a
high-performance channel.  User requests, such as http commands, require
less bandwidth and can be transmitted quickly "upstream" at conventional
28.8 or 33.6 Kbps speeds.

Because of U.S. Robotics' flexible software-based modem architecture, the
company also has the capability to add both proprietary protocols and
standards to its products, ensuring compatibility and connections with
other products at the highest speeds available.

It's Easy to Upgrade to x2
In many cases, individuals will be able to obtain a simple, inexpensive
upgrade for their U.S. Robotics modems. U.S. Robotics Sportster modems now
on retail shelves worldwide can be upgraded to x2; Sportster x2 upgrades
will be available in January 1997.

The vast majority of homes and offices will be able to take advantage of
x2, although some locations may not be able to achieve these speeds because
the configuration of the local telephone loop will not accommodate the
service. The connection at those locations will fall back to the highest
standard modem speed available on that line.

U.S. Robotics will conduct field trials in November and begin shipping x2
to Internet and on-line service providers as well as end users during the
first calendar quarter of 1997.

U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and
systems that provide access to information.  The company designs,
manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers, enterprise
communications systems, desktop/mobile client products and modems and
telephony products that connect computers and other equipment over analog,
digital and switched cellular networks, enabling users to gain access to,
manage and share data, fax and voice information.  Its customers include
Internet service providers, regional Bell operating companies,
inter-exchange carriers and a wide range of other large and small
businesses, institutions and individuals.
INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS WORLDWIDE SUPPORTING U.S. ROBOTICS x2 TECHNOLOGY
North American and Global Providers
America Online
ANS
Commonwealth Telephone
CompuServe
CyberGate
HookUp (Canada)
IBM Global Network
Netcom
MCI
Mindspring
Prodigy
TDS Telecom
U S West
Web America
Australia
Microplex
Netexpress
Austria
Netway
France
Grolier Interactive Europe
Germany
Bertelsmann ZI/MediaWays
metronet
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Star Internet
Hong Kong Telecom
Japan
ASCII
Business Network Telecom
Global Online
Toyko Internet
Norway
Telenor Online
Taiwan
New Silkera Network
WowNet
United Kingdom
Cable Online
UUNET Pipex
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