Motorola has announced that it is shipping 56Kbps modems, making it the first company to supply a 56Kbps modem in this country. Product will be shipping in September 1997.
Motorola`s new modems allow users to download information to their PCs at speeds of up to 56Kbps. This enables much faster use of popular Internet applications such as surfing the web and downloading files, where time consuming delays most often cause frustration and longer than necessary telephone calls. The modems are capable of sending information from a user`s PC at 33.6Kbps.
Motorola`s 56K technology, developed in conjunction with Rockwell Semiconductor`s K56flex, is supported by more than 100 modem manufacturers and over 300 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) worldwide. ISPs supporting K56flex in South Africa will include UUNET Internet Africa, Global Internet Access, Global One, HIX Net and NetActive.
This proliferation is designed to ensure that Motorola customers can successfully utilise the increases in speed available when they dial in to their ISPs. The Motorola 56K modems also incorporate an exclusive noise cancelling technology called EFR (extended frequency range) which ensures that 56K performance over conventional analogue PSTN lines is optimised (patent pending).
Additionally, Motorola`s Tidal Wave programme provides customers with a free upgrade to the 56Kbps industry standard when it becomes ratified. All new Motorola 56Kbps products will be eligible to be upgraded.
Theresa Noonan, retail marketing manager for Motorola ISG in Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented upon the launch: "Many manufacturers have been talking about 56Kbps technology and many have promised products but Motorola, as the largest manufacturer of modems in the world, is the first to deliver in South Africa. Our customers can now take full advantage of developments in our 56K technology and be secure in the knowledge that the software and ISPs we are endorsing with these modems have committed to making download speeds of 56Kbps commonplace. While our users ride the crest of the wave, our competitors` customers must remain paddling in the pool."
Motorola has tailored three specific solutions to the market sectors it has identified.
These are:
The ModemSURFR Internet Solution: Ideal for first time Internet users that want to get online quickly and easily, the ModemSURFR allows users to take advantage of the higher download speeds available with 56K technology. The bundle is designed to make it simple for even the least experienced users to connect to the Internet in a matter of minutes. Included in the package is a Motorola ModemSURFR 56Kbps modem, on-line registration for an Internet account (including a month`s free trial) together with email, newsgroup and web browsing software, fax communication software, protocol software and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) software.
Pricing: The Motorola 56K Internet Solution has a suggested selling price of R1395 inc VAT.
The VoiceSURFR Home / Office Solution: Motorola`s VoiceSURFR 56Kbps modem incorporates all of the advantages of 56K technology and combines voice and data technology to provide voicemail/answering machine, fax machine and full duplex speakerphone so users only need one telephone line for all communication.
Aimed at tele-workers based at home or office-located businesses, the VoiceSURFR offers broadcast fax to multiple addresses, fax on demand enabling callers to choose documents to be automatically return faxed to them, multiple voicemail boxes, call screening, remote message retrieval and speakerphone allowing talk and listen at the same time. VoiceSURFR also comes with a comprehensive suite of Internet and communications software, including online registration for an Internet account (with a month`s free trial) together with email, newsgroup and web browsing software, fax communication software, protocol software and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) software.
Pricing: The Motorola Home/Office Solution has a suggested selling price of R1495 inc VAT.
The VoiceSURFR Internal Modem: All of the advantages of the Motorola 56Kbps external modem are available with the Motorola VoiceSURFR Internal Modem which fits into a user`s PC rather than having an external box sitting on the desktop.
Pricing: The Motorola Internal Modem has a suggested sellling price of R1395 inc VAT.
Noonan continued: "We have put into place a set of solutions that enable our customers to take full advantage of 56Kbps technology as it exists now and ensure a smooth upgrade path to simply and easily accommodate future developments."
Technical features included with Motorola 56Kbps modems include:
Uncompressed downloading of files at up to 56Kbps over analogue phone lines.
Full V.34 technology ratified standard support for uploading files at 33.6Kbps.
Backwards compatibility with all standard modem technologies.
Error control for best throughput performance.
Error free fax transmission is provided by T.30 error correction standards.
Automatic rate adjustment ensures that the modem connects at the highest possible speed.
The modems are also videoconferencing-ready (this requires a sound card, a video capture card, a video camera and H.324 videophone software).
All new 56K products will also be upgradable to the industry standard when ratified.
Distribution
The Motorola 56K products are being distributed in South Africa through DataConnect and will be available through all major retailers. For further information on product availability call Tel: 011 233 3209.
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