This report investigates the strategic trajectory of the United States telecommunications sector as it approached the 21st century. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory, technological, and economic shifts required to maintain American competitiveness in a globalized market. The document serves as a policy framework intended to guide government agencies and private industry stakeholders through the transition toward digital infrastructure and expanded market liberalization.

Experts view this document as a significant historical artifact that captures the regulatory mindset of the late 1980s regarding the future of information technology. Researchers frequently cite this report to understand the foundational policy decisions that preceded the rapid expansion of the internet and modern telecommunications networks.