The BBC Micro Model A/B Econet Interface

The BBC Micro Model B had it's Econet interface implemented directly onto the motherboard of the computer. The interface was an optional extra so many BBC Micro's did not have the required components installed and an unpopulated Econet section of an Issue 4 motherboard can be seen below.

The interface could always be installed at a later date and many machines did have the interface installed. Commonly though, BBC Micro's purchased by school's, Universities and Business had the Econet interface fitted whereas many home computers had only the Cassette and/or Disc interface fitted. The photo below shows the Econet interface as fitted to an Issue 7 motherboard.