Rockwell-Lucent and USRobotics introduced technologies based upon the digital transmission used in telephony networks which will become the first most popular 56Kbps modem.
The standard digital transmission in modern networks is 64 kbit/s, but networks use part of the bandwidth for remote office signaling, limiting its effectiveless to 56 kbit/s. The new technology created the V.90, common in modern computers.
The initial retail price of the 56K modem, varies in different countries, was about $200. About half of all ISPs offered 56K support by October 1997. USRobotics held a 40-percent share of the retail modem market, and Rockwell International held an 80-percent share.
While the 56 kbit/s rate is only possible from the central office to the user site (downlink), the maximum data rate is much less than that.
The 56 kbit/s became a new standard announced by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) by the name of V.90.
Later, V.92 was proposed to increase the upload speed to a maximum of 48 kbit/s with an expense of download rates. The speed was indeed better, but with the spread of broadband internet access, the reception wasn't as expected.