I agree with all of that - I'm just saying it must have happened in 1997 as the modems came out too late in 1996 to be particularly useful right away except maybe for your local BBS. I can't remember though - 30 years is a long time - so I'm willing to accept maybe I'm incorrect. I do remember how expensive the modems were - I don't think I ever upgraded, but instead got a DSL line.