U.S. Robotics announces Telephony Group and first evolution products for consumer electronics market; group converges technologies into feature-rich, affordable communications solutions for home and small office users

Business Wire, Jan 6, 1996

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 1996--At its first Consumer Electronics Show appearance, the Personal Communications Division of U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ:USRX) introduced its new business unit, the Telephony Group, and unveiled seven new telephony products.

The products are the first examples of the company's application of its digital signal processing (DSP) expertise into telephone-based information access products that provide integrated communications solutions.

"We are applying our core strengths to create technically advanced, affordable telephony products," said Michael Seedman, vice president and general manager of U.S. Robotics' Personal Communications Division. "These products provide home and small business users access to features and functionality previously costing hundreds of dollars more."

U.S. Robotics' first telephony products -- a conference speakerphone and a line of desktop digital phones -- provide growing numbers of home-based, small office and corporate professionals with technically advanced, affordable, feature-rich telecommunications products. The key feature common among all of the company's new DSP-based telephony products is SimulTalk(TM) technology -- full-duplex speakerphone operation that allows users to speak and listen simultaneously for smooth, two-way natural conversation.

U.S. Robotics' first product series, beginning with ConferenceLink CS1000 conference speakerphone, offers professionals an affordable, high-quality product with a list price starting at $399. The second product series -- six desktop digital phones -- provides home and small office professionals flexible, affordable telecommunications products priced from $149 to $379. In addition to dual-microphone design, the speakerphone series includes:

o Advanced digital corded speakerphones with full-duplex

operation in the 120 and 120M models

o 900 MHz digital spread spectrum cordless speakerphones that

offer privacy, powerful range and clarity in the 310 and 310M

single-line models, and the 520 and 520M two-line models

o Select speakerphones -- the 120M, 310M and 520M -- integrate

U.S. Robotics' V.34/33.6 Kbps modem, allowing PC users to

access the Internet or send faxes in one convenient package.

"Our new telephony products reflect the innovative ways we are using modem technology," said John Zhao, vice president of U.S. Robotics' Telephony Group. "We are creating integrated communications solutions that offer another pathway for data and voice exchange, and eliminate the need for several stand-alone devices. Our telephony products are making information even more accessible."

U.S. Robotics' Telephony Group designed the new products to meet home-based and small office professionals' need to communicate effectively and efficiently. For example, the phones include a number of call management features such as an easy-to-read display, an electronic directory of 100 names and phone numbers, and caller ID capability. By incorporating these features along with SimulTalk(TM) technology, 900 MHz spread spectrum operation and the market's best-selling modem, U.S. Robotics' telephony products offer customers high-performance telecommunications devices.

The products already have received Electronic Industries, Association's Innovations '96 Award for design and engineering. In addition, Computer Telephony magazine named ConferenceLink CS1000 Product of the Year.

U.S. Robotics designs and assembles all telephony products at its factory in Skokie, Ill. The ConferenceLink CS1000 will be available through authorized resellers and retailers by the end of January 1996. The second series of desktop digital phones will be available through traditional consumer electronic retail channels later this year.

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, enterprise communications systems, desktop/mobile client products, telephony products and modems that connect computers and other equipment over analog, 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 and a wide range of other large corporations, business, institutions and individuals. The company's 1995 sales were $889.3 million.

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Please refer reader telephony inquiries to U.S. Robotics at 800/949-6757.

These products are also available in Canada; for editorial information, please call U.S. Robotics public relations. U.S. Robotics, ConferenceLink and SimulTalk are trademarks of U.S. Robotics or its subsidiaries.

CONTACT: U.S. Robotics Corporation, Skokie

Tom Potts, 708/676-7113

Vicky Nurre, 708/676-7084

Investor Relations: C. David Hall, 708/982-5162