3Com has announced it will ship the industry`s first International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standard-based V.90 modems at the end of March. 3Com`s V.90 products provide its customers with a universally interoperable solution with backward compatibility supporting x2 technology and V.90. "3Com has the ability to provide a smooth transition to standard-based access because our software upgradable platform provides enough memory to support both x2 technology and V.90," says 3Com SA`s client access business unit manager, Dirk Bosmans. "In addition, our large installed world-wide base of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) with x2 technology in nearly three-million software-upgradable Total Control ports worldwide, will be able to quickly and easily upgrade to standard-based service." He points out that through its V.90 interoperability testing program, and its commitment to the standards process, 3Com has provided the leadership necessary to ensure a rapid adoption of V.90 in the marketplace. 3Com and Rockwell recently announced the successful completion of interoperability testing between each company`s V.90 technologies. Furthermore, 3Com is currently conducting interoperability testing with Lucent Technologies and is actively pursuing additional industry participation. "While other companies in the marketplace have raised questions about interoperability, 3Com has worked hard to achieve compatibility and is confident in its products," says Bosmans. "Being first to market with a V.90 modem is a major competitive advantage for 3Com," says Lisa Pelgrim, senior analyst at Dataquest. "Again, 3Com has proved that it is the market leader and it will likely reap the rewards as demand for standard-based interoperable 56K modems erupts." 3Com`s V.90 products offer complete backward compatibility to support x2 technology as well as V.90. Unlike some of its competitors, 3Com has the technology today to support V.90 and its 56K predecessor in the same product. This will allow all of 3Com`s customers to upgrade rapidly with confidence that high speed service will not be interrupted during the transition process to the V.90 standard. Real World Performance 3Com`s V.90 analog modems include a new and advanced line-probing sequence, developed by 3Com, that more accurately predicts phone line conditions. Though the initial connect speed of a V.90 call may appear to be lower than an x2 modem call, the throughput may actually be higher. The improved probing sequence is possible because of 3Com`s understanding and experience with the global telephone network. This new technology will provide 3Com customers with the most stable and consistent performance in real-world applications. ISPs In Trials Today Because of 3Com`s software-based digital signal processor (DSP) architecture, all of the company`s award-winning Total Control multi-service platforms are upgradable to V.90 via a simple software download. This enables ISPs to quickly and easily upgrade to standard-based service. In addition, 3Com`s Modem Pool (MP), NETServer and I-modem families can be software upgraded to the new standard. 3Com plans to ship server equipment at the end of March. "The market will see an aggressive roll out for broad end-to-end availability of this standard-based technology," says Ross Manire, senior vice president, Carrier Systems Division at 3Com." Many ISPs are already conducting beta trials and will be able to quickly upgrade their installed base of servers." "It is our intent to provide a rapid roll out of the recently adopted V.90 international standard over the IBM Global Network that already provides 56Kbps x2 technology from 3Com in more than 600 locations in 11 countries around the world," says Gary Weis, general manager, managed data network services and network technology, IBM Global Services. "Testing of the V.90 3Com software is going very well and we anticipate that we will be among the first, if not the first, network service provider to implement the new standard." "We`re pleased 3Com has been able to deploy and support V.90 so rapidly. We`ve already begun internal beta testing," says Mike McQuary, President and chief operating officer of Internet service provider MindSpring Enterprises. "MindSpring has had great success with 3Com products, including the software upgrade of our Total Control network to x2 technology in early 1997." "We are pleased that a 56K standard has been determined so that our customers will be able to make even better use of their time on-line," says Terry Parker, director of product development for Sprint Internet Services. "Sprint is currently in beta trials with 3Com`s V.90 solution and will implement the new standard as soon as testing is complete." "Web America Networks was among the first to deploy x2 technology nationwide, and, similarly, we plan to be the first to roll out V.90 nationwide," says Philip Midkiff, president of Web America Networks. "The introduction of 3Com`s V.90 in the Total Control system means our digital 56K network will be available throughout the country to subscribers, regardless of what type of modem or computer they`re using. We`re impressed that 3Com has been so aggressive in leading the development and deployment of 56K technology." Local Availability In South Africa, V.90 desktop modems are expected to be available in CY Q2. The upgrade programme for US Robotics modems will be communicated during the month of March. Evolution Of The 56K Standard In September 1996, 3Com was the first company to submit a proposal to the ITU calling for a 56K recommendation. The work toward a standard began in North America within the ITU`s Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) committee, and in April, 1997, the ITU officially set up a rapporteur`s group with the goal of determining an international 56K standard as quickly as possible. On December 5, 1997 in Orlando, the working party agreed to a compromise on the two remaining technical issues, virtually assuring a standard determination at the January/February 1998 ITU meeting. At the February meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, the 56K standard specification was determined and given its official V-series number V.90. The technical aspects of a determined standard were thereby frozen, although there may be subsequent editorial changes. At its September 1998 meeting, the ITU will complete the formalities at which time the determined 56K recommendation becomes a "decision," also referred to as ratification.
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