🚀 go-pugleaf

rayfox@myden.demon.co.uk wrote:

>
>Don't fret.
>
>I phoned USR UK the other day and they absolutely assured me that for the
>Courier the upgrade will be free and downloadable from there bulletin board.

Did you get a name or an Email stsing this?

>For Sporsters however a ROM change will be required. Two options will be
>available here:-
>          (a) DIY ROM change. Price �?
>          (b) Return to USR. Price �?+? i.e more than (a)
>
>Also USR UK now have a web site. Of the top of my head I believe it is 
>www.usr.co.uk
>Ray Fox

That web site URL is correct, however as at Sunday 8 February 1997 it
is loud on the merits of X2 and very quiet on Courier Flash ROM
upgrades.

Below is a  USR Press Release (in full)
http://www.usr.co.uk/about/press/releases/pr125.html

U.S. Robotics, the UK modem market leader (Dataquest 1996), has
launched the Sportster Flash modem which is flash
upgradeable to its high-speed x2 56Kbps technology. x2 enables
Internet and On-line connections at speeds nearly twice as
fast as those currently available over standard telephone lines.

The Sportster Flash is the first Sportster modem to have flash memory,
which has been a feature of the company's high-end
Courier modems for several years. Those buying the new modem can
register for an x2 upgrade and receive it free of charge,
via a software upgrade from U.S. Robotics' bulletin board in February
1997. The modem's flash memory also enables future
firmware upgrades as new technologies become available.

In addition to the flash upgrade capability, the new Sportster has all
of the user features of the current Sportster Voice 33.6.
These include fax, personal voice mail with multiple mailboxes,
hands-free speakerphone, remote voice message and fax
retrieval, and fax-on-demand. To use the voice features including the
hands-free telephone function requires the addition of a
headset, a powered speaker or a soundcard.

According to Clive Hudson, vice president EMEA for U.S. Robotics: "x2
gives downloads at nearly double the speed currently
available over analogue lines, and the Sportster Flash will enable
users to take advantage of this technology as soon as it is
available. It also allows them to upgrade to new standards as they
emerge. No other modem on the market has the level of
features or futureproofing as offered by the Sportster Flash."

x2 is the only end-to-end 56Kbps Internet access solution for both
individual users and service providers. To date, 100 leading
Internet and On-line service providers worldwide have announced their
commitment to x2 technology, with broad roll-out
plans to follow. This includes major UK ISPs such as UUNET Pipex,
NETCOM, Cable On-line, CompuServe, AOL, Cable
Internet, Virgin Net and Which On-line.

The Sportster Flash is priced at �229, including VAT. The modem is
supplied with fax, data and voice communications
software, and free trial offers to Virgin Net, NETCOM (both exclusive
to U.S. Robotics), AOL and CompuServe. It also
carries a five year warranty and free lifetime technical support.

U.S. Robotics is estimated by industry analysts to be three to nine
months ahead of its competitors, and anticipates that it will
deliver the only complete, end-to-end solution for 56Kbps, with
products for both individual subscribers and ISPs available in
the first quarter of 1997.

U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and
systems that provide access to information. The company
designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers, LAN
switching equipment, desktop/mobile client
products and modems, telephony products and hand-held organisers. U.S.
Robotics products connect computers and other
equipment over analogue, digital and switched cellular networks,
enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax
and voice information. Its customers include Internet service
providers, regional Bell operating companies, inter-exchange
carriers and a wide range of other large and small businesses,
institutions and individuals. The company's fiscal 1996 sales were
$1.97 billion.

Issued on behalf of U.S. Robotics Ltd, 220 Wharfdale Rd, Winnersh,
Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5TP. Tel: 0118
9228200. Internet: www.usr.co.uk 

Press Contact: Craig Coward, Frank Smith The Edge Partnership, Tel:
01625 511966. Fax: 01625 511967 email:
mail@edgepr.u-net.com 



I tried the USR BBS yesterday and there was no upgrade.
Would some kind person post a new message to this group when it is
available. (to save the phone bill!) 

On the subject of X2 is Demon supporting the USR implementation?
Notice that Demon Internet are not mentioned in USR Press Release 

I may be wrong but I read that Demon are supporting  Hayes or was it
Rockwell 56K technology that communicates both ways at high speed.
Anyone got details and if so where does this leave Couriers?