The FUNET (Finnish University and Research Network) run by the CSC - Center For Scientific Computing is a computer network linking Finland's universities and research institutes. The FUNET uses superfast backbone-network lines to connect local area networks belonging to the organisations linked into it. The FUNET also offers member organisations advanced communications links to the international Internet network via the joint Nordic NORDUnet network. Development and maintenance of the backbone network are the responsibility of the FUNET network technology group.

Apart from communication links, the FUNET provides application-level services, for example e-mail, newsfeeds and file and IRC services. New Internet services are constantly being developed for the FUNET, such as Multicast videoconferencing and search and database functions. The network information services group is responsible for application-level services.

• In 1969, the year the ARPANET is set up, a project is begun aimed at linking Finnish universities into a computer network at the beginning of the 1970s.
• 1982: CSC's predecessor takes on an expert to promote data communications in Finnish universities
• 1984: The FUNET project management group set up by the Ministry of Education and the X.25 packet-switching network launch the actual FUNET network
• 1985: The EARN network connects the FUNET to other countries with a fixed line 1986: TCP/IP and ethernet networks start to spread in Funet
• 1987: The FUNET introduces TCP/IP routers on fixed lines
• 1988: The FUNET is linked to the Internet via the joint Nordic NORDunet research network at 56 Kbit/s.
• 1989: The first 2 Mbit/s connection is introduced
• 1990: NIC.FUNET.FI FTP archive launched
• 1992: Tim Berners-Lee visits Turku to encourage the NORDUnet community to use the WWW
• 1993: The ATM pilot project tries out videoconferencing between Espoo and Tampere
• 1994: Monopolies crumple and commercial competition begins to drive costs down for internet.
• 1995: The FUNET 34 Mbit/s ATM backbone network introduced
• 1997: FUNET-TV commences transmissions
• 1998: 155 Mbit/s ATM backbone network installed for Internet traffic.
• Internet use from the FUNET has grown 150% a year for ten years