The systems engineering process is applied to determine the feasibility of employing Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS) to support USA Today newspaper's current data communications needs. The terrestrial service must support current operations at a cost comparable to the current satellite-based system while providing significantly greater bandwidth. Strategic modernization of USA Today's digital pagination operation requires the increased bandwidth.

The analysis indicates that SMDS simultaneously meets USA Today's needs for an economically feasible alternative for the near term while providing a more capable platform for the future.