NEW YORK - April 26, 1997 - Twenty-four leaders from key segments of the communications and computer industry today announced the creation of the Open 56K Forum, an industry-wide coalition dedicated to achieving widespread implementation of 56-kbps analog modem technology. Because 56-kbps speeds cannot be achieved unless modems are compatible at both the end user's site and Internet service provider's site, the forum's chief aim is to gain support for a 56-kbps modem protocol that will ensure interoperability across brands, providing an immediate end-to-end solution for faster data transmission. The founding participants include:
Other leading industry companies were briefed about the coalition in a teleconference earlier today and expressed interest in the Open 56K Forum. Most of the forum's current participants have independently announced plans to bring 56K products to market within the next few weeks.
Multi-Vendor Interoperability
Companies currently participating in the Open 56K Forum represent more than 70 percent of the modem communications industry, reaching more than 12 million Internet subscribers worldwide. The participants recognize the need to enlist widespread industry support for a 56-kbps protocol that will enable products from different manufacturers to interoperate. A lack of a universal protocol will create confusion in the marketplace, limit competition in the evolution of new products and services, and will hinder rapid consumer acceptance of the technology.
"Our goal is to provide an affordable and immediate path to greater bandwidth," says Bob Rango, general manager of Modem & Multimedia ICs at Lucent Technologies' Microelectronics Group. "With universal industry support for interoperable 56K technology, we have the opportunity to dramatically expand the number of consumers on the Web and make the Internet a true consumer medium."
"An interoperable 56K analog modem technology can provide a near-term solution to easing the bottleneck of delivering rich content off the Internet," says Armando Geday, vice president and general manager, Multimedia Communications Division at Rockwell Semiconductor Systems. "The formation of the Open 56K Forum will help to simplify faster connections to the Internet and reduce confusion in the marketplace, a big step in making 56 kbps a reality for all Internet users."
Any company interested in the establishment and support of a universal 56-kbps modem protocol may participate in the Open 56K Forum. Potential participants include semiconductor manufacturers, modem manufacturers, personal computer manufacturers, Internet service providers (ISPs), telecommunications carriers, and remote access server manufacturers. In addition to enlisting industry support for a 56-kbps modem protocol, the participants will launch a consumer education program including activities such as advertising, promotion, and public relations to maximize awareness of interoperable technology.
"The entire Internet has been based on open technology exchange," said John Sidgmore, CEO, UUNet Technologies, Inc. "We welcome the formation of the Open 56K Forum because it responds to this issue in the marketplace. We are interested in any effort that helps promote an interoperable 56K modem technology."
Nationwide Trials
Some participants of the Open 56K Forum have been conducting nationwide field trials of interoperable 56K equipment based on K56flex TM, a protocol that was established by Lucent and Rockwell in 1996 to facilitate interoperability across equipment from different manufacturers. Four of the nation's largest ISPs -- BBN, Epoch Networks, PSInet, and UUNet -- are participating in these nationwide trials at numerous sites. Initial trials will take place in cities including Albany, NY; Herndon, VA; Boston, MA; Washington, D.C.; Palo Alto, CA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; and Irvine, CA. The sites where these initial field trials are underway are equipped with a WAN access concentrator from Ascend, incorporating K56flex. Other participants in the Open 56K Forum will conduct field trials in the near future.
"The testing of multi-vendor interoperability promotes the best solution for customers who are concerned about their investment in 56K technology," said Chris Kremer, vice president of sales and marketing for Motorola's Transmission Products Division.
Through field trials, participating companies hope to improve and advance 56-kbps modem technology as well as learn how to educate and manage the expectations of consumers who will benefit from faster connection times to the Internet.
First Meeting March 27
The first Open 56K Forum meeting is planned for the springtime 1997. Subjects that may be discussed include: