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MISANU Virtual Museum

US Robotics 56K modem - fax modem - 56 Kbps

The USRobotics 56K external fax/modem, also known under model numbers USR5686 and Sportster, was one of the most reliable and widely used dial-up modems in home and office environments during the late 1990s and early 2000s. This device allowed users to connect to the internet over a standard telephone line, as well as to send and receive faxes without the need for a separate fax machine. The 56K modem was designed to provide faster internet access via traditional phone lines, nearly doubling the speed of earlier 33.6K modems. Based on the V.90 standard (and later V.92 in newer versions), it supported download speeds up to 56 Kbps, which was the technological maximum for analog networks at the time.
Features:

• An external design with a serial RS-232 port enabled broad compatibility, especially with PC systems and servers.
• Thanks to its built-in hardware controller, the modem operated reliably without relying on the computer’s processor.
• V.92 features, including Modem-on-Hold, allowed users to temporarily pause their internet session to take an incoming phone call and then resume without disconnection.
• Fax functionality enabled direct document transmission and reception from a computer, which was particularly useful in office environments.

USRobotics, founded in 1976, became a leader in modem technology. Their 56K product line marked the final phase of the dial-up internet era before the widespread adoption of ADSL and cable broadband. Thanks to their reliability, ease of installation, and high compatibility, USR 56K modems were used worldwide—by home users and professionals alike, including in banks, corporate networks, and remote monitoring systems.

Creator: US Robotics, 1997
Source: Mathematical Institute SASA
Text prepared by Vanja Korać
Photo by Dragan Aćimović