Overview

Until recently, the United States was the undisputed leader in all aspects of international telecommunications operations and innovation. The United States was the progenitor of the undersea cable infrastructure and satellite system, and American companies led the advancement of commercial global telecommunications networks. The United States was the hub of the Internet, the best known sub-network of the international telecommunications system. Today, though, Internet hubs are being replicated in several geographical regions.1 More importantly, every major American telecommunications company has retreated extensively from the ownership of fundamental international network assets. This has important strategic implications for American defense communications, logistics, commerce, and diplomacy.