HAYES PUSHES FOR 56K STANDARD
           --------------------------------------------------
                Joins Open 56K Forum as Founding Member
        Atlanta, GA, March 14 1997 - In its ongoing campaign to promote
56K modem interoperability, Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. joined a
group of 28 communications and computer industry leaders dedicated to
providing consumers with advanced 56K modems using compatible
technology.
"When communications products interoperate everyone wins," said Dennis
Hayes, Chairman, Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.  "We're working
together to create an environment in which modem users can feel safe
purchasing a 56K modem for faster Internet downloads."
The Open 56K Forum is supported by more than 70 percent of the
semiconductor manufacturers, modem manufacturers, personal computer
manufacturers, Internet Service providers (ISPs), telecommunications
carriers, and remote access server manufactures that make up the modem
communications industry.  Forum members will drive the industry toward a
standard protocol that will make 56K products compatible and sponsor a
consumer education program to improve end-user understanding of the
technology's capabilities and applications.
Companies participating in the Open 56K Forum will meet on March 27 in
New York City at which time the Forum will announce results of 56K field
trials and address other standards issues such as technical
specifications for an interoperable protocol and criteria for
interoperability testing.
        Hayes 56K modems for desktop and laptop computers will begin
shipping the week of March 24 with  K56Flex technology - the protocol
supported by Lucent Technologies and Rockwell International.  According
to sources at Dataquest, almost two-thirds of the remote access servers
used by ISPs and corporations have committed to support the K56Flex
protocol.
Details of Hayes 56K modem availability and upgrade policy are posted on
Hayes Web site at www.hayes.com.
        Hayes high-speed 56 kbps modems essentially double the speed of
downloading information from the Internet.  Making the leap to 56 kbps
is different from past speed increases because the modem is taking
advantage of the high-speed, digital connection to the telephone network
that Internet service providers and corporations already have.
Based in Norcross, Georgia, Hayes markets its ULTRA, ACCURA, OPTIMA,
Practical Peripherals and CENTURY brands of modems, remote access
servers, and terminal adapters along with Smartcom communications
software worldwide.  Hayes introduced the PC modem in 1981.  Today, with
distributors in more than 45 countries, it is one of the largest
manufacturers of modems in the world.  For more information about Hayes
and the company's award-winning product lines, visit the Web site at
http://www.hayes.com.
                                  ###
Hayes, the Hayes logo, ACCURA, OPTIMA, Practical Peripherals, Smartcom,
and CENTURY are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hayes
Microcomputer Products, Inc.  Other trademarks are trademarks of their
respective companies.
Media Related Inquiries Only:       For Customer Assistance:
Kerri Dimke                         Hayes Customer Support
Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.  Phone:  770/441-1617
Phone:  770/840-9200 ext. 6091      Fax-on-demand:  800/429-3739
Facsimile: 770/441-1238             Hayes Online BBS:  (770)446-6336
Internet Email: kdimke@hayes.com    Hayes WWW Site: http://www.hayes.com
                                    CompuServe: GO HAYES
                                    America Online Keyword:  HAYES
--- FLAME v1.1
---------------