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The History of RNP

RNP was created in September 1989 by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) with the aim of building a national Internet network infrastructure for academic purposes. The National Research Network, as it was initially called, also had the role of spreading the use of networks in the country. While its structure was being implanted, RNP engaged in several tasks, such as spreading Internet services to the academic community by means of seminars, organization of theme repositories and training, creating an awareness of its strategic importance to the country and becoming a reference regarding the application of Internet technologies.

In May 1995, the commercial Internet was opened in the country. In this period, RNP went through a redefinition of its role, extending its access services to all the sectors in the society. With this focus reorientation, RNP offered great support to the consolidation of the commercial Internet in Brazil. The Internet/BR Information Center was created to give support to the rise of providers and network users. More than 3,000 questions related to the Internet were answered in its first year of existence. Countless manufacturers of computer goods, such as Compaq, Equitel, IBM, Philips etc., started offering RNP concrete support, providing equipment, software and even sponsoring direct activities in the project.

In October 1999, ten years after RNP project was created, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) and the Ministry of Education (MEC) signed a partnership, the Inter-ministerial Program for the Implantation and Maintenance of the National Education and Research Network (PI-MEC/MCT), with the aim of elevating the academic network to a new position. The two ministries invested R$ 215 million in the implantation and maintenance of RNP2 backbone, an advanced network infrastructure capable of meeting the new demands for band and services for education and research. The National Education and Research Association (AsRNP), created in the same year by RNP’s employees, would lead the program, according to the orientation of a Steering Committee (CG-RNP) formed by representatives of MEC and MCT. RNP2 backbone was officially inaugurated in May 2000.

In January 2002, the AsRNP was qualified by the federal government as a Social Organization. Consequently, it got more administrative autonomy to carry out its tasks, and the government got more effective means of control to evaluate results and demand that the goals set for the organization be reached.

On March 26, 2002, the Social Organization National Education and Research Network (RNP/OS) signed a steering contract with the MCT. In this document, the RNP/OS promises to reach certain goals, aimed at fostering the activities of technological research in development networks and the operation of advanced network means and services that benefit national education and research.