Filename: 9600DATA.TXT Version : 1.5 Updated : 3/03/1991 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Comparison of High Speed Modems Compatibility/Features/Differences/Prices Including: HST, V.32, V.32bis, V.42, V.42bis By Mike Ehlert, SysOp: PACIFIC COAST MICRO BBS USR HST/V.32bis (805) 494-9386 USR HST 14.4k (805) 497-3456 CC Speedmodem (805) 496-7320 FidoNet 1:102/1001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS A High Speed Modem Disclaimer Standards The CCITT Half-Duplex Vs. Full Duplex What is MNP, HST, V.32, V.42 etc. What to look for: Throughput, Configurability, UARTS, Etc. Some Questions to ask: If Considering a generic V.32 Some Questions to ask: If Considering a FAX/Modem. Modem Manufacturer Phone Numbers. Modem Compatibility Listing. Modem Price Comparisons. Document Updates. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A High Speed Modem ================== Are you thinking of going to a High speed modem? 2400 bps can be very slow for transferring large files. Modems advertised as 4800 are really only 2400 with data compression such as MNP-5 or even just software data compression. There are now some new 2400 BPS modems with V.42bis, which claim 9600 bps Thruput. Don't be fooled. A 2400 bps modem with error correction will NOT be significantly faster when transfering compressed files such as ZIPs. An actual 9600 bps or faster modem will make a tremendous difference in your transfer time. Most 9600 bps users never want to go back to 2400. There is a lot of confusion and mis-information about 9600 bps and faster modems. I wrote this to help clarify and point out the differences between the different modems available IBM compatible machines. If price is no object, the Best modem to get for BBS use is the new USRobotics Dual Standard. It is a combination of the HST 14400 bps modem and a V.32 9600 BPS modem all rolled into one modem. The new version of the USR Dual Standard Modem also includes V.32bis, which is a new 14400 bps standard, and also V.42 and V.42bis error correction and data compression. If price is an issue, (like it is to most people) then you may want to consider a standard HST 14400 or a different brand if that is also too expensive. But if you do not buy a USRobotics Modem, you will not be able to hook up to a standard USR HST at over 2400 bps. Other then USR, you could get a V.32 or compatable modem for about 25% less then a standard HST, or you could get a 9600 bps Compucom Speedmodem for a even less. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer ========== This information was obtained from several reputable sources, but none of it is guaranteed to be 100% accurate. I am not responsible for any incorrect information in this document, nor am I responsible for any loss of profits to anyone resulting from reading the information in this documentation. Proceed at your own risk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corrections and updates ======================= Since new modem brands, models, and new prices are appearing constantly, this documentation is going to need a lot of updating. Also some of the Current Information may need corrections as well. You are welcome to make changes to this information, but please send me a copy of your update which points out the changes made, so that I can add your changes to the current latest version I have. That way all the corrections that are made will be added to the latest version, which will also be availible for download on my BBS. (You may want to call first and get the latest version.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STANDARDS ========= At one time Hayes was the standard in modems. All other modems tried to be "Hayes Compatible". This is still true with 1200 and 2400 bps modems, but NOT when it comes to 9600 bps or faster modems. Hayes established a standard called the AT command set. Other modem manufacturers quickly adopted this standard and the AT commands are still used today (with a few additional commands added). Along came USRobotics, and designed the HST, a proprietary 9600 bps modem that quickly became popular, and no one else was allowed to duplicate. Hayes soon also came out with a proprietary 9600 modem, but since it could not talk to the HST at 9600 bps it never became popular in the IBM world. Next USR improved their HST modem, making it transfer at 14400 bps without even using data compression. USR's HST became the standard for IBM compatable high speed modems. Realizing that the industry needed a "non-proprietary" 9600 bps standard that any manufacturer could use, the CCITT came up with the V.32 specification. It took a several years before modem manufacturers started finding ways to implement this standard at a price competitive to the HST, but a few manufacturers started producing them, including Hayes. Next the CCITT realized that better error correction and data compression methods existed, and thus came up with the V.42 and V.42bis specification. They are currently finalizing the V.32bis specification, which will also run at 14000 bps in full duplex mode. Now many modem manufactures are jumping on the V.32 Bandwagon. USR offers V.32 modems and allows the 14400 bps HST's to be upgraded to the old "Dual-Standard" so it can be both HST and V.32 in one. They also offer a trade-in program for the new "Dual-Standard" which has the V.32bis as well, but USR wants $575 plus your old HST in trade. The price difference between the HST and the HST-DS used to be considerable, which is why most BBS Sysops bought the HST without the "DS" option. As of April 1 1991 USR lowered their prices, making the new "Dual-Standard" with V.32bis not much more expencive then their non-V.32 HST, and well worth the differnce. V.32 has become the standard in the Macintosh world, and some IBM BBS's are now running just V.32 instead of supporting the HST, and some are supporting both types, using either the "Dual-Standards" or multiple lines. Fax machines have had their own standards, CCITT V.27, V.27ter, and V.29 define the modulation scheme used for Fax, and T.30 defines a Fax Protocol. Fax machines nowadays can transfer Faxs at 4800 or 9600 bps. Many modems also offer an option to work as a Fax machine. This can be very useful if you have a limited number of phone lines and need to share a line for both modem and Fax calls. Having a computer control the outgoing Faxs allows more flexibility due to the capability of Fax software available. Some Fax/Modems only allow Faxes to be sent, and not recieved. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The CCITT ========= The International Consultive Committee for Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) set the V.32, V.32bis Standards in 9600 bps communications. They have also set the standards of 1200 and 2400 bps in Europe. Unfortuntly the V.32 standard is very expensive to implement for the modem manufacturers, and the HST has already become the industry standard in the IBM BBS world. But since any company may manufacture V.32 Modems without a license or royalty, there is more price competition going on with these than with the HST, which currently has no true competition. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Half Duplex Vs. Full Duplex =========================== Half Duplex is When Data is Transmited in one Direction at a time. Full Duplex is both directions at once. 2400 BPS modems are Full Duplex The HST Modem uses an improved form of Half Duplex, in which one direction is transfering at high speed while the other direction is sending ACK/NAK signals at a slower speed. A simular method is used on the Speedmodem. V.32 modems use Full duplex, which in most cases does not improve performance when used on a BBS. There is one way to take full advantage of a Full Duplex Modem: By using a protocol called Bimodem to upload and Download at the same time at 9600 bps in each direction! Unfortunately Bimodem has not become very popular. Most BBS's and users still use one direction transfer protocols such as Zmodem or YModem-G. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is MNP, HST, V.32, V.42? ============================= MNP MNP (Microcom Networking Protocol) levels 1-4 are methods of error correction in which the two modems connected verify the integrity of the data transmitted. Error correction is required for several streaming protocols such as Ymodem-G in which the protocol sends a constant stream of data and lets the modems do the error correction. This requires a clean, noise free line as streaming protocols will abort if line noise interferes too much. These MNP Levels are used in almost all High Speed Modems Made today, But Just because two modems both have MNP it does not ensure that they will both talk to each other at over 2400 baud. MNP Level 5 is for data compression. Since All BBS's have their files archived in ZIP, LZH, GIF or some such compressed format (try to ZIP a LZH file), MNP5 can actually increase the overhead by attempting to compress the file further. Therefore BBS's leave MNP5 turned off, and so should the BBS callers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HST HST stands for "High Speed Technology" - a method of communicating at high speeds which was developed by US Robotics in 1984. HST is a proprietary method so currently only US Robotics is allowed to Make HST Compatible Modems. The original HST modems were 9600 BPS by using a 9600 bps channel in one direction and a 300 (later 450) bps "back channel" in the other to send ACK/NAK signals for confirmation of data - a half duplex mode - often referred to as "ping-ponging". In 1989 USR improved the HST to run at 14400 bps by further optimizing their proprietary method. All HST's sold now include the 14400 bps speed as well as the original 9600 bps mode. Because the HST 14400 bps is the raw speed, It allows the HST to transfer pre compressed files such as ZIPs at faster speeds than any other 9600 bps modem: over 1700 Characters per second (cps). The HST has become the "BBS-Standard" in high-Speed modems. More BBS's use the HST than any other type of modem, including the V.32. As of January 1st 1991 all HST modems also include the V.42/V.42bis error correction and data compression (not to be confused with V.32). Also the "Dual-Standards" made after January 1st also include V.32bis. The HST's can also be upgraded to the old HST "Dual Standard" allowing it to also be V.32 compatable. The price is significant for this upgrade however, and in very few cases is any speed gained. V.32bis modems from USRobotics use an all new circuit board. Previous models *CANNOT BE* upgraded to V.32bis. There *IS* a trade-in/trade-up program, but it's a rip-off at $575.00 plus your old modem in trade! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V.32 V.32 is a 9600 Baud standard that was established by the CCITT back in 1984. V.32 is full duplex (9600 bps in both directions at once). Normally this would be impossible, but using a technique called "echo cancellation", one modem can filter its own tones from the phone line, enabling it to pick out the signals from the other modem. However, echo cancellation requires that high speed modems include built-in digital signal processor (DSP) chips, which is the main reason V.32 and V.32bis costs so much. V.32 also includes a fallback to 4800, if line noise becomes a problem at 9600. The V.32 standard also provides an optional error-reduction scheme, called "trellis-coded" modulation (TCM). TCM allows 9600 modems to check for transmision errors with a redundancy bit, which results in fewer errors on noisy lines. Most V.32's include this option, but some do not. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V.32bis It was first realized in 1989 that it is feasible to push V.32 up to 14400 bps, the same speed as the HST now runs. This requires even better echo cancellation and an overall improvment in receiver quality, so it is also more costly to produce than the V.32. V.32bis has not yet officially been finalized by the CCITT, but as of January 1st US Robotics has started shipping a new version of their Dual Standard Modem which includes V.32bis in an early but functional form. USR plans to update their DS ROMS when the CCITT actually release the completed V.32bis specification, scheduled for mid 1991. It's expected that other Modem manufacturers will not be able to offer the V.32bis technology untill the 4th quarter of 1991. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V.42 V.42 has nothing to do with actual modem speed, but how the error correction and data compression schemes interface. When the CCITT approved V.42 in 1988, they decided to include two different error correction and data compression schemes. The first one is MNP,(short for Microcom Networking Protocol). MNP classes 2, 3, & 4 which handle error correction. Note that MNP-5 was not included in the V.42 standard because it is only used for data compression. MNP was made an offical standard due to the large number of modems that currently use it. (Microcom's exclusive patent rights expired too!) The Second method is the prefered method, known as LAP-M (Link Access Procedure for Modems with only MNP is called "V.42 Compatible" and one with LAP-M its known as "V.42 Compliant". If a V.42 Compliant connected to a V.42 compatible, it would first try to Handshake with LAP-M, and after it realized that the other modem is not Compliant, it would try the MNP Method, and they connect. Most V.32 modems are fully V.42 compliant, but they do NOT have to be, according to CCITT guidelines. So when purchasing a V.32 modem make sure that it is also fully V.42 compliant, not just V.42 compatable. There are now some 2400 baud modems which are also V.42bis compliant, so since the LAP-M gives 4:1 data compression they are advertised as "9600 throughput", which really can be misleading and confusing. Don't be fooled by any throughput claims. The raw speed is what matters when transfering compressed files such as ZIPs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V.42bis V.42bis is a new CCITT standard for data compression techniques, which was appoved in late 1989. To Support V.42bis, a modem MUST support both LAP-M and MNP-5, unlike the Standard V.42 in which LAP-M is only an option. V.42 provides a maximum data compression of 4:1, giving a 9600 bps modem a throughput of up to 38400 bps. MNP only offers 2:1 Compression. As I said above, data compression is not very useful when transfering pre-compressed files, (such as ZIPs) from BBS's. V.42bis has a special ability, (unlike MNP-5) to determine if the file can be compressed further or not before making the an attempt to do so. Therefore v.42bis will not slow down a ZIP transfer, and may even speed it up alittle bit. Since V.42bis is implemented in firmware, many V.42 compliant modems can be upgraded to V.42bis with a new ROM chip. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speedmodem A less expensive method of 9600 bps communication can be achieved without using the CCITTs method of "echo cancellation", so that a digital signal processor is not needed, making the cost much less expensive. This method is used on the Compucom Speedmodems. The Speedmodem uses Dynamic Impedance Stabilization (DIS) to increase the relability of the telephone interfaces signal-to-noise ratio of the telephone line by increasing the clarity and power of the signal, and automatically compensating for impedence variations on the phone line. This reduces the probability of line noise, allowing the Protocols to transfer files with less overhead. It also has a faster fallback rate of 7200 bps if too much line noise exists for 9600 bps communications. This makes the Speedmodem stand up to worse line noise conditions at a faster rate than V.32 can handle. The Speedmodem is available in two versions. the "Speedmodem-Champ", and also the "Speedmodem-Combo". The Combo is the same modem with the addition of a 9600 bps Fax, and a Voice-Mail system as well. The Combo comes with BitFAX by Bitcom, and supports any other 3rd party FAX software which uses the standard CCITT AT-FAX command set. The Voice-Mail software is currently still under development, which will allow your computer work simular to an answering machine, using the hard disk to store voice messages, and allowing several differnt message areas or "Mail-Boxes" to be accessed from a touch tone telephone. A Data Compression called CSP (CompuCom Speed Protocol) is used to yeld a compression of up to 4:1, giving a throughput of up to 38400 bps. This however, like MNP5 will not be effective when transfering compressed files from BBS's, such as ZIP files. DIS and CPS are proprietary methods owned by CompuCom, Sunnyvale, CA. Because this modem is very inexpensive more people can afford to buy it, which could cause it to gain popularity quickly. It is still a new product, but hundreds of BBS's are showing support for it. The one drawback to this modem is that it will connect to HST and V.32 modems only at 2400 bps. It will connect to other Speedmodems at 9600 bps, and the Combo version will connect to Fax machines at 4800 or 9600 bps. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- What Next? By mid 1991 the V.32bis standard will be finialized, and by the years end several 14400 Bps full duplex modems will be on the market. There is already talk of the CCITT releasing another standard, V.32ter in 1992, which will be for 19200 bps. Since these modems are expected to cost considerably more than the V.32s currently on the market, they will be out of the price range of most BBS users. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT TO LOOK FOR THROUGHPUT: ========== You'll see ads claiming that you can attain 19200 bps or 38400 bps with a 9600 bps modem - this is true only if you are using MNP5 or other forms of data compression on uncompressed data or text files. Any 9600 bps modem using compression can transfer at that effective rate. But for BBS use, where files are already compressed (such as ZIPs, LZHs, GIFs) MNP5 will actually slow down throughput by attempting to compress a file that is already compressed. Generally when using a modem for BBS transfers, its the RAW speed of the Modem and not the throughput which is important. Figures of around 1700 cps by the HST modems are attained through proprietary methods not yet available on other modems. CONFIGURABILITY: ================ In High Speed Modems, there is a lot more to configure than on a 2400 bps modem. Be sure your modem comes with NVRAM (Non-volatile Random Access Memory) that can store your modem configuration, making long init strings unnessesary unnecessary. Also many modems have dip switches to set the default configuration, which also simplys simplifies things. If you buy an Internal Modem, be sure its fully Configurable as far as selecting the com port and IRQ (interupt request) setting. Some modems can be addressed from Com1: up to COM8: UARTS ===== Internal Modems have a serial port built in, and External Modems use an existing Serial Port in the computer. A serial port has a UART chip to buffer and control the Input/Output (I/O). The XT usually has an 8250 UART which will handle up to 9600 Baud. The AT usually has the 16450. If you have an external modem you should replace your UART with the 16550A (or 16550AF or 16550AFN). The 16550 series has 16 byte FIFO buffers to handle interupts better. INTERNAL or EXTERNAL ==================== IBM Compatable Users can choose internal modems, that plug in a computers slot, or external, which plugs into an existing serial port with a serial cable. Internals are usually less expensive, take up less space, have the correct UART already installed (see below) and don't need a cable. But the Externals usually have a lot of little lights on it that you can stare at, and its easier to move to another machine. So which ever you prefer (or is available in some cases) is fine. If Considering a USRobotics Modem ================================= You only need to worry about whether you want the HST (which can be upgraded later to V.32), or the new Dual Standard which is HST, V.32 and now V.32bis as well. If Considering a V.32 ======================================== Some questions to ask: Can you afford the USR "DS" instead? Is it V.42 compatible, V.42 compliant, or V.42bis? compliant If its not V.42bis or compliant, can it be upgraded? Do Local/National BBS's support it? What is the warranty? 5 years? If Considering a Fax/Modem ============================== some questions to ask: Does it both send and recive Fax (some are SEND only) Does it support 3rd party FAX software? What's the Fax transfer speed Is it 4800 or 9600 bps? What's the modem DATA speed? Does it support MNP, V.42, V.42bis? Does it support other compression? Do Local/National BBS's support it? What is the Warranty? 5 Years? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Modem Compatibility Listing: ============================ These modems will usually be downward compatible with 2400 bps and slower modems, Which means they are also CITT V.22bis and Bell 103/212A compatible. Most have an auto-fallback mode that will detect the highest negotiable bps rate. If the modem is V.42 capable, it will fall back to MNP if the other modem is not LAP-M capable, but is MNP capable. Modems supporting MNP will connect with data compression/error correction with other MNP modems at the highest bps rate common between the two. The speeds listed here are the actual Raw speed, and not the possible throughput that can be achieved using data compression. Listed in alphabetical order by brand name - Generic V.32 only Made by a number of companies using the CCITT method of communicating at 9600 bps. These are expected to become outdated as V.42 is added to most V.32 modems - Talks to other brand V.32 modems at 9600 bps. Generic V.42 Only If a modem is V.42 or V.42bis only, and not V.32, then it is only a 2400 bps modem, and can only talk to other V.42 modems at 2400 bps (with supposed 9600 throughput using data compression) This is not considered a 9600 bps modem and should be avoided. - Talks to other brand V.42 modems at 2400 bps with LAP-M. Generic V.32 with V.42 (and/or V.42bis) These modems follow CCITT V.32 standard for communicating at 9600 bps, and also have V.42 data compression and error correction. - Talks to other brand V.32 modems at 9600 bps - Talks to other modems with the V.42 option at top negotiable rate. (Some Generic Brands include: Anderson Jacobson, Codex, Computer Peripherals, Digicom, E-Tech, Farallon, Fastcomm, General Datacom, Intel, Magic, Mastercom, Microcom, Multi-tech, NEC, Practical Peripherals, Prometheus, Radcal Vadic, Shiva, Telebit, Telenetics, USD, and many others just appearing. Some of these offer LAP-M and V.42bis, and some do not.) Hayes V-Series: The early Hayes V-Series uses a proprietary method of communicating at 9600 bps. - Talks other Hayes V-Series modems at 9600 bps. Hayes V-Series V.42: The Hayes V-Series V.42 uses the proprietary method of communicating at 9600 Baud but will incorporate the V.42 data compression and error checking - Talks to other V.42 modems at 2400 with error correction/compression. Talks to other MNP modems at 2400 using error correction/compression. Talks to other Hayes V-Series at 9600 bps. Hayes ULTRA: Uses CCITT V.32 and method for communicating at 9600 bps. Has MNP5 abilities. Has LAP-M abilities - Talks to Other V.32 modems at 9600 bps Talks to other modems with the V.42 option at top negotiable rate. Talks to other Hayes V-Series at 9600 bps Telebit Trailblazer: Uses proprietary PEP method of communicating at 9600 bps. Has MNP5 abilities. - Talks to other Telebit Trailblazers at 9600 bps. Talks to other MNP modems at 2400 baud with error correction/compression USR Courier V.32: Uses CCITT V.32 method of communicating at 9600 bps. offers MNP5 abilities. - Talks to Other V.32 modems at 9600 bps. Talks to other modems with the V.42 option at top negotiable rate. USR Courier HST: (old version) Uses the USR proprietary HST method of communicating at 9600 Baud. Has MNP5 abilities. - Talks to HST type modems at 9600 bps. USR Courier HST: (current 14400 bps version) Uses the USR proprietary HST method of communicating at 9600 and 14400 bps. Has MNP5 abilities. - Talks to HST DS's at 14400 bps Talks to HST (current) at 14400 bps Talks to old 9600 HST's at 9600 bps. USR Courier HST DS: The Dual Standard incorporates both the proprietary HST method of communicating at 9600 and 14400 bps, and the CCITT V.32 method of communicating at 9600 bps. (and V.32bis 14400 bps on units made after 1/1/1991) Has MNP5 abilities. - Talks to Other V.32 modems at 9600 Bps. (V.32bis models will talk to other V.32bis modems 14400 bps) Talks to other DS's at 14400 bps Talks to 14400 HST's at 14400 bps Talks to old 9600 HST's at 9600 bps. COMPUcom Speedmodem Champ Uses the Proprietary DIS method of communicating at 9600 bps. Has 7200 and 4800 bps Fallback Has MNP5 abilities. Has CSP abilities. -Talks to other Speedmodems at 9600 bps. Talks to other MNP modems at 2400 bps with error correction/compression COMPUcom Speedmodem Combo Uses the Proprietary DIS method of communicating at 9600 bps. Has 7200 and 4800 bps Fallback Has CCITT FAX V.27ter & V.29 Has MNP5 abilities. Has CSP abilities. Talks to Group III Faxs at 9600. -Talks to other Speedmodems at 9600 bps. Talks to other MNP modems at 2400 bps with error correction/compression ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manufacturer Toll Free Charge Call Support BBS ============ ============== ============== ============== Anchor (800) 541-2318 Anderson Jacobson (800) 438-8520 (408) 435-8520 Codex (508) 261-4000 Compucom (800) 228-6648 (408) 732-4500 (408) 738-4990 Computer Peripherals (800) 854-7600 (805) 499-5751 (805) 499-9646 Digicom (800) 574-2730 E-Tech (408) 982-0270 Farallon (415) 596-9100 Fastcomm (800) 521-2496 (703) 620 3900 General Datacom (203) 574-1118 Hayes (800) 241-9625 (404) 441-1617 (800) 874-2937 Intel (800) 538-3373 (503) 645-6275 Magic Modems (800) 622-3475 Mastercom (213) 834-6666 Microcomm (800) 822-8224 (617) 551-1000 Multi-Tech (800) 328-9717 NEC (800) 222-4632 (408) 433-1250 Practical Peripherals (800) 442-4774 (818) 706-0333 Promethues (800) 477-3473 (503) 624-0571 Radcal Vadic (800) 482-3427 (408) 432-8008 Radcal Milgo (800) 327-7909 (305) 846-1601 Shiva (800) 458-3550 (617) 864-8500 Telebit (800) 835-3248 (408) 734-4333 Telenetics (800) 822-4267 (714) 779-2766 USD (800) 631-4869 (205) 430-8000 USRobotics (800) DIAL-USR (708) 982-5001 (708) 982-5092 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Price Comparisons ================= No Prices have been stated above this Section, because prices often change, and I want to keep all the prices together so they could be quickly updated as needed. There are 3 types of prices I will cover. First is The Retail price, second is the Sysop price, which is only available if you run a BBS. The list prices are just for comparison. Discount prices can often be found mail order. Many Modem Manufactures offer BBS Sysop special prices directly, at about 50% off the retail price. First the BBS has to be verified, so the modem manufacturer knows that this is a real BBS that has been running for at least 6 Months, and has a minimum number of users, ect. Usually the Manufacturer will call the BBS once, or twice a few weeks apart to be sure. Verification usually takes 3-4 weeks. Then the Sysop must agree to use the Modem on the BBS for some set amount of time, and include a banner in the logon screen mentioning the presence of the modem. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Generic Brands Retail Sysop V.32 Only EXT $650-$1,000 ???? V.32/V.42 EXT $700-$1,000 ???? V.32/V.42bis EXT $700-$1,200 $339+ Software Included: Varies (most externals come without software) Warranty: Varies 1-5 years ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hayes Retail Sysop Ultra V.32/V.42 $1,199 $599 V-Series V.42 (not V.32) $999 $499 V-Series 9600 $799 $399 Software Included: None Warranty: 2 years ----------------------------------------------------------------- COMPUcom Retail Sysop Speedmodem Champ (INT) $169 N/A Speedmodem Combo (INT) $279 $169 The Combo includes BitFax and Voice-Mail software Warranty: 5 years ----------------------------------------------------------------- Intel Retail Sysop 9600EX $799 $399 Software included: None Warranty: 5 years ----------------------------------------------------------------- Practical Peripherals Retail Sysop V.32/V.42 EXT $699 $339 V.32/V.42 INT N/A N/A Software Included: None Warranty: 5 Years Note: Originally these modems had several incompatibilities with other V.32 modems such as USR. I'm told that P.P. has now fixed the bugs, and is now shipping a reliable product. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Telebit Retail Sysop T1000 ??? ??? T1500 V.32 ??? ??? TrailBlazer INT ??? ??? Trailblazer EXT ??? ??? T2500 V.32/V.42 ??? ??? (anyone have info on these?) Warranty: 5 years ------------------------------------------------------------------ USRobotics Retail SysOp Courier Dual Standard E $1295 $499 Courier Dual Standard I $1249 N/A Courier V.32bis EXT $995 $449 Courier V.32bis INT $949 N/A Courier HST 14.4k EXT $995 $399 Courier HST 14.4k INT $895 N/A DS Upgrade Kit for HST $495 $250 Sysops who trade in their old 9600 modem (any brand) will get $100 off plus an additional $100 rebate if the modem traded is a USR Brand. End users may trade in their old 9600 modem (any brand) for a new USR HST for $545, or a new "Dual-Standard" with V.32bis for $745 directly from USRobotics. Software included: None Warranty: 2 Years (extended warranties available for $25 per year) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Document updates: Date Release Comments ---- ------- -------- 10/30/90 1.0 Inital Release. Should have run a spell checker! 11/08/90 1.1 Spelling fixes, V.32bis update, Speedmodem update 01/10/91 1.2 USR V.32bis Update, other minor corrections 01/15/91 1.3 USR V.32bis corrections, Speedmodem update, more spelling fixes. Thanks to Remco Treffcorn 02/13/91 1.4 Minor corrections, thanks to Bill Garfield 03/03/91 1.5 USR Price updates ** End-of-file **