Leading Computer and Communications Companies Back Lucent Technologies and Rockwell Efforts to Establish Interoperable 56-Kbps Modem Technology

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 1996--A group of leading personal computer and communications companies have announced their support for the efforts of Lucent Technologies and Rockwell Semiconductor Systems to establish interoperability between their respective V.flex(R)2 and K56Plus(TM) 56-kilobits-per-second (Kbps) modem technologies. THe interoperable 56kbps modem protocol will be called K56flex(TM)(a).

The group joins nearly 400 companies, including Internet service providers (ISPs), remote access server manufacturers and modem manufacturers, who already support Rockwell's K56Plus or Lucent's V.flex2 56kbps modem technology.

The world's leading personal computer manufacturers that are supporting the K56flex technology include AST Computer, Compaq Computer Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, and Toshiba Corporation.

"Interoperability among products and services from all of these companies will reduce confusion in the market and simplify connecting to the Internet," said Bob Rango, general manager of modem and multimedia applications for Lucent's Microelectronics Group.

"This groundswell of support for our technology means that the consumer has the highest probability of connecting to the Internet service provider of their choices," said Armando Geday, vice president and general manager, Multimedia Communications Division, Rockwell Semiconductor Systems.

Rockwell and Lucent believe that Internet users are more likely to be able to connect to the Internet at 56kbps via the ISP of their choice because the majority of the leading manufacturers of Internet remote access server (RAS) equipment will supply K56flex equipment to ISPs. RAS vendors who support either K56Plus or V.flex2 technologies represent more than 70% of the worldwide enterprise access server market, according to industry analysts. They include 3Com, Ascend Communications Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Digital Equipment Corp., Gandalf, Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc., Livingston Enterprises Inc., Microcom, Multi-Tech Systems Inc., NetAccess.

ISPs and online service providers (OSPs) supporting the new modem technology are CompuServe, Netcom On-Line Communications, PSInet and UUNet Technologies Inc.

This group of companies is joined by more than 270 other ISPs that have previously announced their support for K56Plus.

K56flex will combine aspects of Lucent's V.flex2 modem technology and Rockwell's K56Plus modem technology, which both will allow end users to surf the Internet and receive online services over ordinary analog phone lines at nearly twice the speed of today's fastest modems. On November 15, the two companies announced their intention to make K56Plus and V.flex2 interoperable. Compatible modems, such as those based on K56flex technology, are needed at both the user's site and Internet provider's central site to achieve connections at rates up to 56Kbps over standard analog phone lines.

Lucent Technologies designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, consumer and business telephone systems and microelectronics components. The company was formed as a result of AT&T's restructuring and became a fully independent company -- separate from AT&T -- on Sept. 30, 1996.

Lucent's Microelectronics Group designs and manufactures integrated circuits, optoelectronic components and power systems for the data networking and telecommunications industries. The Microelectronics Group's web page can be found at: http://www.lucent.com/micro Bell labs is the research and development division of Lucent Technologies.

Rockwell Semiconductor Systems is the fastest growing business segment of Rockwell. Based in Newport Beach, Calif., it comprises the Multimedia Communications Division, the Wireless Communications Division and the newly acquired Brooktree Division. The Multimedia Communications Division is the world leader in facsimile and PC modem devices for personal communications electronics. THe Wireless Communications Division offers total system solutions for advanced cordless telephony and global positioning systems (GPS) receiver engines and is developing products and technologies to address the Personal Communications Services (PCS) and wireless packet data markets. The Brooktree Division is a leading producer of high-performance digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits for multimedia, graphics, communications and imaging applications. For more information on Rockwell products, contact the Rockwell Literature Line at (800) 854-8099 inside the U.S. at (714) 221-6996 outside the U.S., or visit the Rockwell web site at http://www.nb.rockwell.com

Rockwell's industrial automation, semiconductor systems, avionics systems and automotive component systems businesses are leading providers of technology solutions to customers worldwide. The company has annual revenues in excess of $10 billion and employs more than 56,000 people.

(a) K56flex is a trademark of Lucent Technologies and Rockwell International.