U.S. ROBOTICS ANNOUNCES FIRST ISDN PRODUCT: COURIER I-MODEM 



I-Modem Combines V.34 Modem/ISDN Terminal Adapter, Smoothes Gradual Transition to ISDN with "V.Everything" Approach 



SKOKIE, Ill., -- June 12, 1995 -- U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ: USRX) today announced its entry into the ISDN market with its first ISDN product, the  Courier I-Modem with ISDN/V.34 . The announcement is part of the company's comprehensive ISDN strategy, also announced today. 

An ISDN terminal adapter with an integrated V.34 modem, the Courier I-Modem eases the transition from analog to ISDN, allowing users to take advantage of ISDN's higher bandwidth without sacrificing analog data and fax capabilities. The product will be available in July, 1995; list pricing ranges from $595 to $895, depending on configuration and form factor. 

The I-Modem technology leverages U.S. Robotics' expertise and market leadership in the analog world, bringing the company's extensive experience with service providers, corporate users and individuals to the ISDN arena. The product also extends the company's strategy of including multiple protocols and capabilities in a single device. 

User Profiles: Characteristics of the ISDN User



Key applications for the product, because of its increased bandwidth compared to standard analog products, are Internet access; telecommuting; high-speed file exchange, medical imaging; remote LAN access; router backup; long-distance learning; advertising/prepress; and videoconferencing. 

Because the I-Modem also includes U.S. Robotics' Courier "V.Everything" capabilities, for compatibility with the installed base of V.34, V.FC, V.32  terbo  and slower speed modems, the product provides access to analog-based online services; Group III fax devices; individual modem users; home banking services; and workplaces or Internet service providers that have not yet begun deploying ISDN services. 

"The key is that people shouldn't have to choose between ISDN and analog applications. With the Courier I-Modem, they get the best of both technologies," said Mark McMillan, ISDN product manager for U.S. Robotics' Corporate/Systems Division. "In graphics-intensive applications, ISDN is gaining popularity, but the reality is that analog applications will are expected to dominate for at least the next several years." 

Courier I-Modem with ISDN/V.34 Specifications/Features



The Courier I-Modem connects to BRI (Basic Rate Interface) ISDN services. BRI includes two "B channels," which have a bandwidth of 64 Kbps each; it also includes one 16 Kbps "D channel," primarily used for signaling information and call setup. On the analog side, the product's features will be identical to the company's Courier V.Everything with V.34 product. 

The Courier I-Modem with ISDN/V.34 extends U.S. Robotics' strategy of incorporating numerous protocols and capabilities; the Courier I-Modem can communicate with analog modems, analog fax devices, Switched 56 devices and ISDN products. 

"People need products that will connect to as many devices as possible-it isn't practical to limit communications to ISDN when analog technologies such as V.34 and Group III fax machines are the standard," added McMillan. "The Courier I-modem solves this dilemma; the customer doesn't have to make a choice between technologies." 

Transition to ISDN Transparent to Users



U.S. Robotics' unique I-Modem design uses the standard AT command set for commands under ISDN-meaning that the I-Modem requires no special communications software. Because of this design, the computing environment is the same, making the transition to ISDN transparent to the user. The I-Modem will be bundled with QuickLink II fax and data software, and will be compatibile with any standard software package on the market-such as Procomm Plus, ReachOut or NetScape. 

All Courier I-Modem products will also include a Windows-based configuration disk, which will automatically test the ISDN connection upon installation, checking the connection to the central telephone office and ensuring that the user's system is configured properly. 

Courier I-Modem Products



Product Name List Price Configuration/Form Factor 

Courier I-Modem with ISDN/V.34 $595 PC-based ISA card, requires external NT-1* 

$745 PC-based ISA card, includes NT-1 

$795 PC-based ISA card with NT-1, analog device jack 

Courier I-Modem with ISDN/V.34 $645 External desktop, requires external NT-1 

$845 External desktop, includes NT-1 

$895 External desktop with NT-1, analog device jack 

*NT-1: Stands for Network Termination; translates terminal adapter signal for transmission over a BRI line. 

ISA Cards Serve Two Markets: Desktop and LAN-Based 



For users who are accessing LAN-based applications, the internal ISA-bus Courier I-Modem provides software drivers that enable LAN-based applications to operate as if they were on the LAN. This makes applications more user-friendly; for example, users of cc:Mail's mobile software would be able to select LAN-based usage, allowing a more transparent connection to the cc:Mail server. This software will be available at no charge from U.S. Robotics, and will be easily downloaded from the company's bulletin board or FTP site. 

Channel Aggregation Strategies: Influencing the Standard  



U.S. Robotics is part of an IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) group working to standardize dynamic Multilink PPP, an IETF proposed standard. Rather than adopting a proprietary channel aggregation scheme, the company is actively working to ensure that Multilink PPP, which extends the current PPP protocol to handle channel aggregation, becomes a standard, anticipated in early 1996. 

U.S. Robotics will provide a downloadable software upgrade at no cost that will enable Courier I-Modem users to easily upgrade to Multilink PPP, allowing them to use both B-channels simultaneously for combined throughput of 128 Kbps. 

"There are a lot of ISDN vendors with proprietary solutions," added McMillan. "That's not an option for us, because of the Internet service providers and online services who standardize on our systems; our products must connect to the widest variety of devices possible. It's also the reason that we've chosen not to implement a proprietary channel aggregation scheme; our customers want to work with products that are based on standards." 
U.S. Robotics, headquartered in Skokie, Ill., is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of information access systems and products, and has its Personal Communications Division and Corporate Systems Division located in Skokie. Manufacturing operations are located in Skokie, Morton Grove, Ill., and Salt Lake City, Utah. Other U.S. Robotics companies include Salt Lake City, Utah-based Megahertz Corporation, focused on mobile and wireless information access solutions; U.S. Robotics Ltd., with offices in Winnersh and Windsor, England; U.S. Robotics, s.a. in Villeneuve d'Ascq, France; and P.N.B., s.a., based in Suresnes, France. 


Please refer  reader inquiries to U.S. Robotics at 1-800-USR CORP.


All products and technologies mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers. 
