DATA COMMUNICATION DEVICE

A data communication device is provided that can be connected to a host computer to add communications capabilities to the host. The data communication device contains a user-programmable multi-channel pager/e-mail receiver that has both numeric and alphanumeric capabilities and a modem. Further, the data communication device may be used with the host as a telephone set or a telephone answering machine. When the device is used as a telephone answering machine and a user desires to retrieve stored messages, the local telephone office is prevented from placing a fast busy signal on the telephone line. The user can update the firmware of the data communication device, or it can be updated remotely by downloading a new firmware version using the pager/e-mail receiver.