TECHNOLOGY - Oct. 17, 1996

U.S. Robotics Develops High-Speed Modem: The Skokie, Ill.-based modem manufacturer said it has developed a computer modem that can operate at 56 kilobits per second--a new high in transmission speed--and is comparable to high-speed integrated services digital networks. U.S. Robotics said the x2 modem will be available to customers in the first quarter of 1997. The fastest dial-up modem currently on the market is 33.6 kilobits per second. Computer users surfing the World Wide Web can see Web pages more quickly and download more swiftly using an ISDN connection, which enables copper phone wires to handle heavier traffic. U.S. Robotics said it has signed 32 online service providers, including America Online and IBM Global Network, to field-test and market the modems.