New, faster modems coming, but which protocol will win?
Feb.
23, 1997
By JIM BROOKS
In a battle reminiscent of the VHS vs. betamax video war (I know,
showing my age again), two manufacturers are moving forward with
plans to release modems that will operate at roughly twice the speed
of current models.
Rockwell Semiconductor Systems -- the most popular manufacturer
of chip sets for modems -- and U.S. Robotics Inc -- the nation's
most popular modem maker -- have locked horns in a battle to determine
whose modems will reign supreme.
The new technologies promise modem speeds of up to 56kb -- essentially
twice the speed of current 28.8 modems.
Buyers of the slightly faster 33.6 modems -- myself included --
have difficulty seeing any improvement over the "old"
28.8 modems. OK, the box says its faster; I couldn't see the difference.
But jump to a 56kb modem connection, and you'll see quite a difference
-- as significant as an upgrade from 14.4kb to a 28.8 kb modem.
As the first official blow in the modem wars, U.S. Robotics this
week rolled out its line of "x2" 56k modems with much
fanfare -- and ahead of its competitor, Rockwell.
Both promise fast speeds -- and in theory should deliver on these
promises. But don't overlook some very important details.
First, your Internet Service Provider may or may not support either
of the modem speeds, and more importantly, the two protocols are
incompatible -- hence the modem you buy today could be next week's
doorstop.
At least for now.
And don't forget that regardless of which one becomes the standard,
there's still the issue of support by your Internet Service Provider.
U.S. Robotics has a three-to-six-month lead over Rockwell, who
plans to ship its new 56k modem chip sets in this summer. In the
meantime, both sides are trying to build supporters for their protocols.
Consumer interest in the new modems is high; everyone who uses
the Internet wants faster access speeds, and most people are ready
to invest a bit in the equipment to do just that.
For ISPs, the stakes are higher. Boardwatch magazine predicts that
some ISPs operating on marginal profits will throw in the towel
rather than spend the money to upgrade their equipment.
But ultimately, neither technology will probably become the exact
standard; that decision rests with the ITU, who will decide the
worldwide standard.
In other words, either maker's modems may require an upgrade once
a standard is set.
At any rate, the battle will be be most interesting.
FCC DEBATES ISPs. The FCC is currently examining a situation
that could -- depending on whose information you believe -- wind
up stifling the growth of the Internet, and make access to it more
expensive.
In December, the FCC opened proceedings to determine if Internet
Service Providers should have to pay the same "per minute"
surcharges that long-distance carriers pay to your local phone company.
The FCC has tentatively concluded that ISPs shouldn't have to pay
the same surcharges that say, a long-distance company such as Sprint
or MCI. But we're not out of the woods yet.
The "baby bells" complain that the growing use of the
Internet is taxing the current telephone infrastructure. Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) are selling Internet access like mad all
over the country, adding more users and creating problems with telephone
users getting calls through during periods of peak usage.
The existing rate structures don't reflect the cost of providing
all those telephone connections, the companies say, and they are
collectively asking the FCC to rule that it permit them to charge
ISPs interstate per-minute charges.
Right now, the matter is in its earliest stages -- the FCC has
issued a Notice of Inquiry (NOI), seeking input on the matter in
order to make an informed proposal on the topic. But now is the
time to voice your opinion on the matter.
Critics of the baby bells say the companies have not invested money
to upgrade their own infrastructure, and say the increased costs
will slow the growth of the Internet by making it more expensive
to users.
The FCC openly admits it isn't likely to rule in favor of a by-the-minute
surcharge; however it does not its concern that congestion on phone
lines can create virtual bottlenecks for voice and data on phone
networks, which is why it is seeking input from interested parties.
The FCC is accepting formal comments by mail, and has also created
an e-mail address for e-mailed informal comments in response to
the NOI.
To respond, send your e-mail comments to isp@fcc.gov. For more information
on what the FCC is doing in this matter, visit their Web site at
www.fcc.gov/isp.html (if all the legal jargon looks a bit indecipherable,
click on the "Fact Sheet" link; you'll find a quick course
on what's going on without the legal mumbo-jumbo).
TELECOMMUTING SHUFFLE. Many of us commute to and from jobs
outside the county where we live. But have you ever considered leaving
your car in the driveway and becoming a telecommuter?
Telecommuting -- also known as teleworking -- involves basically
working from your home.
How?
By using all the tools of any office -- the telephone, computer,
fax machine, etc. And a growing number of folks are turning to the
Internet to add the World Wide Web and e-mail to that list.
Not every job is cut out for telecommuting; if you handle information,
your job may be a candidate.
And while it isn't really a popular concept here, it is all the
rage in larger metropolitan areas and Europe, especially those areas
plagued by pollution.
The advantages are many.
Workers can be more productive, working in a comfortable environment,
and being at home can mean a more flexible schedule.
Telecommuting saves energy and reduces pollution by reducing the
amount of time an individual spends going to his or her job.
Ultimately, the increased flexibility leads to greater job satisfaction,
and great productivity for the employee, studies say.
Who telecommutes?
For starters, I do.
I write this column at home in my den, complete with my iced-tea-ringed
computer desk and assorted used and re-used America Online disks
casually strewn about.
I write it over a period of one to three days; once completed,
I edit it and send it out by modem. I can just as easily send it
by fax or e-mail.
Online success stores I've seen involving telecommuting include
real estate agents, freelance writers, graphic designers, marketing
and other jobs that can be done without going into an office every
day.
Naturally, telecommuting is as much a partnership with an employer
as anything, requiring a very clear understanding of what is expected
-- and what the goals are.
Not every job is cut out for telecommuting. Fortunately, the World
Wide Web has plenty of sites that can give you some insight into
the world of telecommuting.
-- For starters, try Telecommuting Jobs, at www.tjobs.com.
The site has links for both employers seeking employees and vice
versa. Its a good place to look to see what's open out in the telecommuting
job market.
Several of the jobs listed require you to have typical SOHO (small
office/home office) equipment: fax machine, computer, modem, telephone,
etc., but that's to be expected an any office, right?
-- If you're not sure what it takes for your own SOHO, you can
visit SoHo Central, the Web site sponsored by the Home Office Association
of America.
The site includes information on the latest home office business
trends and some great links to related Web sites as well as top-notch
general business links too..
Joining HOAA has its advantages too -- air travel discounts, a
newsletter, reduced long-distance phone charges, and much more.
To take a peek, point your browser to www.hoaa.com.
-- If you're either an company's employee or manager
and want to examine the issues involved in having telecommuting,
you'll want to visit Pacific Bell's web site.
PacBell's Telecommuting Guide covers all the issues, from startup
to getting a telecommuting program in place and operating.
It examines the process of selecting telecommuting candidates;
the equipment they'll need; the social issues they face; and the
changing role of a management relationship with telecommuting employees.
Its a great resource, and its free! Just point your browser to
http://www.pacbell.com/products/business/general/telecommuting/tcguide/index.html
for more information.
-- The Telecommuting Advisory Council is another good
place to begin your search for information on telecommuting.
The TAC is a non-profit group that promotes telecommuting, so expect
them to bubble enthusiastically about the topic -- but don't sell
them short, either. TAC's list of related Web sites is a great launching
point for more help on telecommuting.
Point your browser to TAC at www.telecommute.org for more details.
A search engine can also provide you results if telecommuting is
your quest; take it from me -- read the help file information available
at your favorite search engine. You'll be surprised at how much
more productive your searches can be when you narrow the parameters.
|
