Seventeen telephone companies including cellular, long distance carriers and regional bell systems were graded. The review focused on company records and data in key areas such as employment, vendor relationships, procurement, advertising & marketing, service deployment and philanthropy. The results were analyzed and ranked accordingly. The NAACP issued grades to the following telephone companies: BellSouth, B; SBC, B; Ameritech, B; Bell Atlantic, B; AT&T, B-; SNET, B-; Excel, C+; Cincinnati Bell, C+; MCI/WorldCom, C; U.S West, C; LCI, C; Sprint, C; Comcast, C; GTE, C; AllTel, D+; Airtouch, D+; and Frontier, F.

A close look at the grades details a concern about the performance levels of the telephone businesses. In the critical analysis, Mfume noted that overall, "the industry graded very poorly in the two key areas of advertising/marketing and vendor relationships. In the area of employment, the industry fared better with entry-level jobs but showed only marginal performance with upper-level management positions." Mfume further stated "although the companies did well with philanthropic contributions, the industry fell short in the business transactions and decision-making components--the heart of economic empowerment. We want reciprocity not economic generosity."

Mfume cited the rapidly changing industry events in 1998 alone. He stated "the mega-mergers sweeping through the telecommunications world are yielding astronomical profits and becoming common place transactions that create less competition. That is exactly why the NAACP and our partners are committed more than ever to being the watchdog over the reciprocal relationship between the industry and consumers." He also pointed out that the nearly $300 trillion telecommunications industry is the sixth fastest growing in the nation and exceeded the U.S. gross national product by 65 percent in the last two years covering 1996-98. Mfume says enterprises of this magnitude compel the NAACP to be vigilant in monitoring this industry particularly at a time when there's major concern about access in minority and low-income communities. "Access to advanced services is pivotal to the economic empowerment efforts in communities. We must ensure that children have all the tools they need to successfully compete in the global economy," says Mfume.