(U.S. Robotics, Inc., Schaumburg, IL, www.usr.com) A modem manufacturer highly regarded for its quality products. The company manufactures its own chipsets (data pumps) and often leads with innovations. Its HST protocol was a high-speed, reliable protocol before V.32bis became a modem standard in 1991, and USR's Sportster models have been the best-selling modems in the world.

In 1997, the company became part of 3Com in the largest merger in data networking history. In 2000, it was spun off again as a private, independent company formed by an alliance between 3Com, Accton Technology Corporation and NatSteel Electronics, Ltd. See 3Com.