A nationwide dial-up service will soon allow all universities and research councils to access the academic research computer network Janet.
The service will be provided by Warrington-based Internet provider U-NET from the end of this month.
Bill Unsworth, managing director of U-NET, says it will allow up to 400,000 students and lecturers direct access to Janet and, eventually, the broadband research network SuperJanet.
Both networks are managed by the United Kingdom Education and Research Networking Association (Ukerna), which chose U-NET over 40 other Internet providers.
David Hartley, Ukerna chief executive, says the deal was prompted by a study by the Joint Information Systems Committee identifying a need among higher education students and lecturers for better access to Janet.
U-NET will offer two types of service. High-speed access to computers on the Janet network, but not to the wider internet, will be provided by the Janet Connection Service, aimed at students who want a fast dial-up access to computers at their own colleges.
The more expensive Full Internet Service uses U-NET's international electronic communications links to provide high-speed access to the whole Internet.