Speedier modems in pipeline

Rockwell is promising to up the ante next year with digital modems running 18 times faster

Rockwell is promising that, whatever the outcome of its 56K modem standards war with US Robotics, it will up the ante next year with digital modems running 18 times faster.

The 1Mbps variant of Digital Subscriber Line technology has been announced to coincide with an International Telecommunications Union meeting on 56K standards. Raouf Halim, vice president and general manager of Rockwell's network access division, said: 'By presenting this technology very early in the ITU discussions, we can accelerate the standardisation process.'

Rockwell is targeting Web browsing and remote computing over standard telephone lines. It has eliminated the need for splitter equipment and wiring to separate different frequencies, enabling users to plug into conventional telephone outlets and maintaining a continuous connection between the PC and phone company.

Products could roll out from the second half of 1998, said Rockwell.