In Denmark, the most intensive use of electronic communication and IT takes places within the research environments of the natural sciences. But also, the "soft" disciplines of the humanities and the social sciences have caught up within the most recent years. Practically all Danish Universities and other institutions working with research and higher education are connected to DENet (see Figure 1), the network for research and education in Denmark. Here, the vast majority of scientists have access to electronic communication while unpublished research reports and drafts for articles can be obtained without having to wait for the publication process, which usually takes 6 to 12 months. The number of users connected to DENet in Denmark exceeds 50,000. UNI-C, the Danish Computing Center for Research and Education, has extended DENet with a service allowing private companies and individuals to access the network.

Through NORDUNET, DENet forms an integral part of the Internet. User groups of this research network include the following (National Host for Denmark):

• Supercomputer sites and users. UNI-C is also hosting a number of supercomputer systems including a CRAY C92 vector processor, a Connection Machine, and a number of smaller machines in cooperation with groups of researchers. In 1995, a new massive parallel processor system (MPP) was installed in addition to a number of distributed parallel systems.
• Media sites and users. In 1994-95, an experiment with participation of actors in the Danish media world (news agencies, picture agencies, newspapers, broadcasters, journalists) tested the implications of the availability of high speed networks to the media industry. The experiment was based on the pan European ATM-Pilot.
• University researchers in general. Several scientific activities are related to supercomputers; however, there are user groups around other network-demanding activities such as analysis of images, biology, medicine and particle physics.
• Teachers and educators working with distance education and flexible learning. There is a long tradition for applying technology for learning in Denmark. A number of researchers and teachers from many different disciplines are working in the area. By the end of 1994, the Danish Government has initiated a special program with a support of 100 Million DKK to further promote the use of technology in general and network technology in particular in this area.
• Individual Internet "surfers." DENet is accessible to individuals interested in accessing information from DENet.

There is a close relationship to the other Danish National Host, Tele Danmark Datacom, who is providing and will be expected to continue to provide, the basic infrastructure for DENet. International connections to other National Hosts may thus take place via the connections provided by Tele Danmark Datacom and their relationships with other operators. At a higher level, interconnection may occur through NORDUNET or whatever the European branch of Internet develops into.

It is the strategy of UNI-C and DENet to encourage and support programmes and activities that promote dissemination of knowledge and results from using network technology in society. How this will be done in the National Host context has to be planned and arranged on a case by case basis. UNI-C is already participating in a number of research and development projects, both nationally and internationally, including: Telematics, the ESPRIT, and the RACE Programmes.

 Currently, the communication access offered is:

• Leased lines ranging from 9.6 Kbit/s to 2 Mbit/s
• ISDN, Basic rate (including bundling, 64 Kbit/s into one connection).
• PSTN access
• Dial up at max. 28.8 Kbit/s

The protocol applied is the TCP/IP protocol, and all services that build on this protocol are supported. A number of application platforms can be provided, including: media platforms supporting video and sound; advanced program development platforms; and multimedia communication facilities such as video conferencing, shared whiteboards, asynchronous computer conferencing, multimedia mail, and other tools supporting computer supported collaborative work. Further, interoperability with other platforms in various countries is easily obtained via NORDUNET. (National Host for Denmark)

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