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Anyone tired of the 56Kbps modem wars?
But by the time you read this, the fun truly will have begun: 56Kbps modems based on two incompatible technologies-x2 from U.S. Robotics and K56FLEX from Lucent Technologies and Rockwell-should be hitting retail shelves now-barring any additional patent suits, chip shipment delays or marketing glitches. x2 price points appear to be slightly higher, with internal data/fax modem prices around $199, compared to a $159 to $179 range for K56FLEX models.
Some vendors were still setting rates and logistics for upgrade programs that would step recent purchasers of 28SAn and 33.6Kbps modems up to 56Kbps and even ISDNs speeds. Early offers pegged upgrade pricing at about $60 to $90, depending on vendor and modem.
At press time, U.S. Robotics' lead in introducing its x2 56Kbps modem technologies to retail had eroded due to shipping delays, while the K56-FLEX camp to Rockwell International, Lucent Technologies and Motorola camp prepared for this month's launch of its K56-FLEX modems and chips after a couple of their own shipping delays.
OEM modem makers aligned with either side tore their circuits out in frustration. Some OEM vendors in the K56FLEX camp, such as Adaptec, opted at the last minute to also make x2 modems.
Also at press time, Internet service providers (ISPs) had chosen sides, agreeing to install x2 or K56FLEX modems into their modem banks. But modem vendors and analysts expect the major ISPs and services to offer both.
The International Telecommunications Union will set the worldwide 56K modem standard in a...