The International Telecommunications Union failed to complete work on the standard for 56 Kbps modems during its September meeting. The next meeting is in January 1998. The failure of the ITU to complete the standard means that there continues to be two competing approaches for providing 56 Kbps dial-up access; the x2 technology of 3Com Corporation and the K56flex technology of Rockwell Semiconductor and Lucent. As the issues which have delayed completion of the standard involve intellectual property rights, licensing of patents, and royalties, rather than technical problems, there is a real possibility that no standard will emerge from the next meeting either. For potential purchasers this means waiting longer to purchase faster modems or purchasing prestandard products. If the latter, upgradability to the standard for a known cost is essential.
https://librarytechnology.org/document/5658/