Join the club 56 kb/s vendors band for interoperability

A group of 28 vendors and Internet service providers founded the Open 56K Forum last week to push interoperability and widespread use of 56 kb/s technology.

The members had previously agreed to use Rockwell Semiconductor Systems' or Lucent Technologies' 56 kb/s chips. The group seems a bit lopsided, however, because no one from U.S. Robotics' camp has joined.

"Robotics was not invited to join until the morning of the announcement," said Lisa Pelgrim, an analyst with Dataquest, San Jose. "But they might join. They are definitely considering it.

The group needs U.S. Robotics for true interoperability, Pelgrim said. The company began shipping 56 kb/s upgradable modems last week and has already been training sales reps.

However, the group can perform a necessary function, Pelgrim said. "Standards bodies will figure out the specifications but won't do actual interoperable testing. None of these companies will have interoperability if they go it alone." In a conference call announcing the group, financial analysts drilled forum representatives from Ascend Communications and Compaq Computer Corp. about the group's value and the lack of real product from Rockwell or Lucent.

The representatives carefully avoided drawing a line in the sand between the differing 56 kb/s technologies. "I want to emphasis this: This is not an us vs. them issue," said David Mayes, Ascend director of business development.

Among the group members are some of the largest ISPs in the country, including BBN, PSINet and UUNet, which will run interoperability 56 kb/s tests in cities such as Boston, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle and San Francisco.

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