There is a clear and urgent need for a national research network. This nation stands to gain considerably from the many direct and indirect benefits that would accrue from an NRN. The OSTP report begins to address the basic issues for an NRN, but it is silent on many important issues, especially those pertaining to the relationship between the NRN and commercial network services. (Nevertheless, the fundamental recommendation for an NRN is sound, as far as it goes.)