SUNET's aim is to provide Swedish universities and colleges with access to well-developed and effective national and international data communication and related services that meet their needs, whatever their geographical location. As well as offering high-capacity computer networks, SUNET also hosts a wide variety of different services for connected organisations. SUNET started in the 1980s as a research project for Swedish computer scientists, and paved the way for the Internet in Sweden. SUNET is governed by a board appointed by the Swedish Research Council. In addition to the board, there is also a technical reference group, as well as people working at the participating universities.