3Com Corp and Lucent Technologies Inc are apparently putting past differences behind them and have started testing a new technology that will unify their rival high speed modem standards. The companies resolved to give ground, and work together late last year, after 3Com admitted the rivalry between the two standards and uncertainty surrounding its 56Kbps technology had resulted in lower sales (CI No 3,306). Now Lucent and 3Com have started interoperability testing for their modem and modem chip sets, which will result in a standard referred to as V.pcm, comprising a compromised mix of the K56Flex and x2 technologies. The row between the companies broke out in December 1996 when Lucent teamed up with Rockwell International Corp to back the K56Flex technology, a direct competitor to US Robotics Corp’s x2 technology, which was later acquired by 3Com. Precise details of the technology will be determined at an International Telecommunications Union meeting to be held in Geneva at the beginning of February. Both companies intend to have interoperable products and software upgrades on the market shortly afterwards. Lucent spokesperson Charlie Hartley anticipates sales of 56K modems will increase when the V.pcm standard is implemented and claims it will be beneficial to the consumer, enabling faster download times from the internet.
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