What´s ahead: Choices for tomorrow: Sobering institutional and technical issues will determine the shape of future telecommunications systems

The continuing convergence of computers and communications is seen as the major trend. It is pointed out that a universal system of communication that would join video, data, and voice has three prerequisites: large bandwidth, digital processing, and protocol standards. Prospects for competition in the US market in the wake of the divestiture of AT&T are considered. In the international market, attention is given to the challenge posed by the Japanese firm NTT International.