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Brian McWilliams of PC World reports that users are discovering connection problems with 3Com's V.90 modems when dialing into ISPs that are using older x2 code. According to a 3Com representative, the problem goes away when the ISP's firmware is upgraded.
This is as good a time as any to say that if ain't broke, don't fix it. If you're happy with your connections, don't upgrade your firmware to early V.90 code. There are bound to be bugs in any new protocol. Let someone else find them. Until your ISP upgrades to V.90, you won't be able to establish V.90 connections anyway.
In a PR Newswire story, Lucent Technologies announced that they had successfully completed V.90 interoperability testing with 3Com. In tests, Lucent-based V.90 modems connected to 3Com-based V.90 servers at speeds up to 50K.
The next paragraph does not mention "V.90"
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V.90 upgrades
Cardinal will have V.90 upgrades in April.
Practical Peripherals also expects V.90 upgrades in April, though upgrades for some models may come later.
Diamond Multimedia is shipping V.90 modems. The press release includes pricing, and mentions that free V.90 upgrades will be available for existing SupraExpress K56flex modems by the end of March.
56K.COM has a new page to keep track of the release of V.90 modems.
Rockwell has dropped its lawsuit against Bay Networks. Rockwell had objected to the use of its K56flex logo by Bay Networks, which makes remote access equipment that supports Lucent and Rockwell's K56flex and 3Com's x2 in the same box. There is more information in the press release. Bay is testing V.90 code, and will offer remote access servers that support all three 56K protocols.
Acer has a K56flex 1.20 firmware update for models FM56PVS-DL and FM56PVS-RS.
3Com will release a $99 V.90 by the end of March, according to TechWeb.
Computer Retail Week reports that computer stores are dumping their inventories of older 56K modems that don't support the new V.90 modem standard.
V.90 upgrades
3Com announced immediate availability of V.90 upgrades for some of their product line. Upgrades are available at www.3com.com/56k.
Phoebe Micro has announced that free V.90 upgrades will be available in mid-March.
Zoltrix expects to have V.90 upgrades by May.
For other manufacturers, visit the V.90 Standard Upgrades page.
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