A MODEM THAT TRAVELS WELL MODEM COMMUNICATIONS ARE an endless source of annoyance for world travelers. Some systems aren't up to digital-age standards, and even the most modern systems can vary from country to country. The new Gold Card Global 56K modem from Britain's Psion Dacom (978-369-0655) can't fix the problems of creaky phone networks or keep you from having to carry a sackful of bulky adapters. But it is designed to meet the requirements of 23 phone systems around the world. More significant, the $249 PC card is designed for easy software upgrades to meet a variety of current and emerging communications standards. Like many modems sold today, it uses K56flex technology but promises upgradability to the International Telecommunications Union's 56-kilobit-per-second standard that should be ratified within a few weeks. The Psion also offers a $179 software upgrade that allows it to transmit data over the GSM cellular network that is widely used in Europe and parts of Asia. Another planned upgrade will allow the modem to send and receive data at up to 128 kbps over integrated service digital network, or ISDN, circuits common in the U.S. BY STEPHEN H. WILDSTROM RELATED ITEMS PHOTO: Psion Dacom Gold Card Global 56k PC Card

Updated Feb. 12, 1998 by bwwebmaster
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