SUNET
SUNET is Sweden's national research and education network, a division of the Swedish Research Council, providing high-availability fiber connectivity, federated identity, cloud, security, and collaboration services to all Swedish universities, research institutions, museums, and government agencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersStockholm, Sweden
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SUNET does
SUNET (Swedish University Computer Network) is Sweden's national research and education network, operating as a division within the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) since December 1, 2018. Founded in 1984, Sunet provides high-availability network connectivity, federated identity, cloud, security, and collaboration services to all Swedish universities and universities of applied sciences, plus a growing footprint of government agencies, national museums, and research infrastructures (European Spallation Source, Onsala Space Observatory, Swedish Space Corporation).
The core platform, Sunet CD, is a national fiber network built on three physical paths through Sweden with redundant power and equipment, delivering near-100% availability. Around this backbone, Sunet operates or distributes 25+ services: SWAMID identity federation and eduID for authentication, Sunet Drive (Nextcloud-based), Sunet VDC (private and public cloud via Safespring), OCRE (aggregated hyperscaler procurement), eduSign digital signatures, Mailfilter (Halon-MTA), Backup (IBM Spectrum Protect), Sunet Scribe (AI speech-to-text), Canvas LMS, Zoom, Kaltura Play, Inspera examinations, eduroam, and Campusnät (CNaaS). SWAMID is interconnected with eduGAIN, GÉANT, and Sweden Connect, providing global SSO reach.
Sunet's business model is institutional: universities are connected via regulatory letters (regleringsbrev), other organizations sign service agreements, and revenue comes from member connection fees plus appropriations from the Ministry of Education via Vetenskapsrådet. Sunet does not have external investors or VC funding. Distribution is direct to connected organizations with support from a 24/7 NOC; engagement is sustained through the annual Sunetdagarna conference (since 1999), newsletters, wiki documentation, and Sunet Forum. Geographic scope is domestic Sweden, with international reach through the GÉANT and NORDUnet partnerships and the EU-funded Polar Connect Step 2 Arctic cable project.
SUNET firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SUNET
- Legal name
- Sunet (Swedish University Computer Network) - En avdelning på Vetenskapsrådet
- Website
- https://sunet.se
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SUNET is Sweden's national research and education network, a division of the Swedish Research Council, providing high-availability fiber connectivity, federated identity, cloud, security, and collaboration services to all Swedish universities, research institutions, museums, and government agencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SUNET industry classification
Industry- Product category
- National Research and Education Network (NREN) / Higher Education IT Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- IT Managed Services for Campus Operations (Service Desk, Endpoint, Network Ops) (EDAEALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Edge Compliance, Governance & Data Sovereignty Infrastructure (HDABAOAL), Video Streaming & OTT Delivery (Live/VOD, Low-Latency) (HDABAGAC), Wholesale Wavelength, Spectrum & Dark Fiber Providers (IRU/Leases) (HDAIALAI)
Keywords
Where SUNET is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stockholm
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
SUNET business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Connected Organization Fees: Primary funding from connected organizations (universities, higher education institutions, and public organizations). These organizations pay for network connectivity and services through their affiliation with Sunet.
- Government Appropriations: Funding from the Ministry of Education through the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet). Government appropriations support basic operations and strategic initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | eduSign monthly fee based on organization size (FTE) |
| Subscription | Monthly | E-legitimation as Service setup and monthly fee |
| Hybrid | Monthly | Sunet Drive pricing plan 1 |
| Hybrid | Monthly | Sunet Drive pricing plan 2 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Sunet Data Management Plan monthly cost based on FTE |
| Subscription | Annual | Campus Network (CNaaS) annual base cost |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Backup (BaaS) Small tier |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Backup (BaaS) Normal tier |
| Subscription | Monthly | Survey tool initial and monthly cost |
| Subscription | Annual | eduID included in Sunet connection |
| Subscription | Annual | TCS Certificates included in Sunet connection |
| Subscription | Annual | Swamid included in Sunet connection |
| Subscription | Annual | Security Center included in Sunet connection |
| Subscription | Annual | Other network services included in connection |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
SUNET product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SUNET operates Sweden's national research and education network (Sunet CD), providing internet and global research network connectivity over a redundant three-path optical fiber infrastructure to all Swedish universities, higher education institutions, government agencies, and cultural organizations. Beyond network connectivity, SUNET delivers federated identity services (SWAMID, eduID, eduID Connect), cloud infrastructure (Sunet Drive, Sunet Virtuellt Datacenter, OCRE cloud procurement), security services (eduSign digital signatures, CERT, TCS certificates, Mailfilter), and collaboration tools (Sunet Scribe transcription, Zoom-based E-möte, Kaltura-based Play media, Canvas LMS, Inspera examinations).
Product overview
SUNET (Swedish University Computer Network) is a national research network and e-infrastructure provider for Swedish higher education and research. As a division of the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet), SUNET delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cloud-based and network services organized across six categories: Identification/Identity services (eduID, eduID Connect, Swamid, ORCID, E-legitimation som tjänst), Cloud-based services (Sunet Drive, Sunet Virtuellt Datacenter, OCRE, Backup, Sunet Datahanteringsplan, Box), Security services (eduSign, Säkerhetscenter, TCS Certifikat, Mailfilter, Säkra meddelanden), Collaboration services (Sunet Scribe, E-möte/Zoom, Play/Kaltura, Lärplattform/Canvas, Digital tentamen/Inspera, Textmatchning/Inspera, Enkätverktyg), Network services (Sunet CD, Campusnät/CNaaS, eduroam, E-postlistor, Inköpscentral). The portfolio combines SUNET-operated services with white-label partnerships (Zoom, Kaltura, Canvas, Inspera) and infrastructure built on open-source platforms (Nextcloud, DMPonline).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sunet CD: Sunet's national research network providing internet and global research network access to Swedish universities and public research organizations.
- eduSign
- Sunet Drive
- eduID
- eduID Connect
- Säkerhetscenter
- Swamid
- Sunet Scribe
- Sunet LMS (Canvas)
- E-möte (Zoom)
- Play (Kaltura)
- Campusnät (CNaaS)
- eduroam
Products and services
- Sunet CD (National Research Network) National research network providing Swedish universities and research organizations with internet access and global research network connectivity via redundant three-path optical fiber infrastructure.
- Campusnät (CNaaS) Network-as-a-Service offering managed LAN/WLAN network services in collaboration with higher education institutions, providing network management, monitoring, and support.
- eduroam International roaming service for secure wireless internet access enabling researchers and students to use WiFi at participating institutions worldwide.
- SWAMID (Swedish Academic Identity Federation) Swedish Academic Identity Federation enabling secure login for researchers, teachers, and students across national and international services with identity assurance trust profiles (AL1, AL2).
- eduID Digital identity service for education and research organizations enabling students and staff to obtain local IT accounts with multi-factor authentication support.
- eduID Connect Identity service within SWAMID for organizations that do not wish or cannot set up their own identity service, available in two variants (eduID-based or Microsoft Entra ID-based).
- ORCID Permanent digital identifier service for researchers, with Sunet providing consortium membership access to ORCID's technical APIs for Swedish research organizations.
- E-legitimation som tjänst E-identification verification service integrated with Sweden Connect that allows systems to request verification using Swedish e-identities.
- Sunet Drive Cloud-based file storage and sharing service built on Nextcloud with Sunet's private S3 storage enabling secure collaboration across research organizations.
- Sunet Virtuellt Datacenter (VDC) Cloud infrastructure service providing virtual machines, storage, and IP addresses in Sunet's network with managed Jupyterhub and Kubernetes services.
- OCRE (Open Cloud for Research Environments) Infrastructure-as-a-Service via GÉANT framework providing access to Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, AWS, Exoscale and other cloud providers through aggregated procurement.
- Säkerhetskopiering (BaaS) Cloud-based backup service with customizable encryption and retention, based on IBM Spectrum Protect with role-based access control via SWAMID.
- Sunet Datahanteringsplan Data management planning tool based on DMPonline from Digital Curation Centre that helps researchers create and maintain data management plans required by funders.
- eduSign Secure digital signature and validation service allowing PDF/XML document signing with SWAMID e-identity and providing validation certificates for digital archives.
- Sunet Säkerhetscenter (Security Center / SUNET CERT) Security center offering shared tools for protecting networked devices and infrastructure, including vulnerability monitoring, incident coordination, and security information sharing via the MISP platform.
- TCS Certifikat Trusted Certificate Service for issuing server and personal certificates, based on GÉANT's TCS, enabling organizations to issue certificates for their DNS domains at no extra cost.
- Mailfilter Centralized email filtering service providing antivirus and spam protection based on Halon-MTA, filtering inbound and outbound email for connected organizations.
- Säkra meddelanden Secure messaging service based on the SEFOS platform that enables encrypted communication with protected identity for sending messages, documents, and attachments.
- Sunet Scribe Automated speech-to-text transcription service for research and education providing transcription of audio/video files with speaker diarization, multi-language support, and export to multiple formats.
- E-möte (Zoom) Video conferencing and online meeting service based on Zoom enabling meetings, training, and seminars with chat, video, screen sharing, and recording capabilities.
- Play (Kaltura) Media management service for storing and sharing audio/video content built on the Kaltura platform with LMS integration, SharePoint connectivity, and API access.
- Lärplattform (Canvas) Learning Management System based on Instructure's open-source Canvas platform providing virtual course environments for teaching and collaboration.
- Digital tentamen (Inspera) Digital examination service handling the complete exam process, based on the Inspera platform with Safe Exam Browser lockdown and Ladok integration for results transfer.
- Textmatchning (Inspera Originality) Plagiarism detection service scanning documents against various sources, based on Inspera Originality with LMS and Digital tentamen integration.
- Enkätverktyg (Survey) Survey and evaluation service based on Survey&Report by Artisan, providing dedicated virtual instances for creating surveys and course evaluations.
- Fildelning och samarbete (Box) Cloud-based file management and sharing service providing 256-bit AES encryption with SWAMID authentication for simplified access across research organizations.
- Sunet Inköpscentral Procurement coordination service for joint purchasing of IT products and services, currently focused on hardware for Campusnät (CNaaS).
- E-postlistor Email distribution list service for Sunet-connected organizations to create and manage targeted email communications for academic purposes.
Quantifiable outcome
- Near-100% network availability through three physical fiber paths and redundant equipment
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SUNET
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SUNET technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration16 records
AI capability4 records
Feature7 records
SUNET partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Polarforskningssekretariatet (Polar Research Secretariat)majorCoordinating partner in Polar Connect Step 2 project. Polarforskningssekretariatet collaborates with Sunet/Vetenskapsrådet on the fiber cable project connecting northern Europe, North America, and East Asia via the Arctic.
- NORDUnetmajorNordic research network partner in Polar Connect Step 2. NORDUnet provides connectivity infrastructure for the Nordic research network ecosystem.
- CSC (Finland)majorFinnish research network organization and partner in Polar Connect Step 2. CSC contributes to Nordic research infrastructure connectivity.
- GlobalConnectmajorInfrastructure partner in Polar Connect Step 2. GlobalConnect provides fiber connectivity infrastructure for the project.
- GÉANTcoreEuropean research network association. GÉANT serves as associated partner in Polar Connect Step 2 and is a key partner for international research network connectivity. Sunet's TCS certificates are based on GÉANT's Trusted Certificate Service.
- GÉANT (for OCRE)coreOCRE (Open Cloud for Research Environments) is a framework agreement through GÉANT that Sunet offers to Swedish research institutions. Includes Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and other cloud providers.
- Meaplus ABminorProvider of 'Säkra meddelanden' (Secure Messages) service. Sunet has procured a framework agreement for secure encrypted communication based on SEFOS platform through Meaplus.
- SafespringcoreCloud service provider for Sunet's Virtuellt Datacenter service. Safespring provides infrastructure management for the public cloud offering in Stockholm (STO1).
- InsperacoreProvider of text matching (Inspera Originality) and digital examination (Inspera) services. Sunet provides these services to connected organizations through partnership with Inspera.
- Instructure (Canvas)coreProvider of learning management system (Canvas) that Sunet offers as a cloud service to Swedish higher education institutions.
- KalturacoreProvider of video platform (Play/Kaltura) that Sunet offers as a media service for storage and sharing of audio and video content.
- HaloncoreSwedish company providing the Halon-MTA platform that powers Sunet's Mailfilter service for centralized antivirus and spam filtering.
- BoxcoreCloud-based file management and collaboration tool offered through Sunet. Organizations can store and share files with advanced sync and collaboration features.
- NextcloudcoreOpen source file synchronization and sharing platform underlying Sunet Drive. Nextcloud provides the core technology for the secure file storage and collaboration service.
- IBM (Spectrum Protect)coreIBM Spectrum Protect (formerly Tivoli Storage Manager) technology powers Sunet's backup service (BaaS). Cristie's Bare Machine Recovery for TSM is also used.
- Swedish University and University College Association (SUHF)coreNomination body for Sunet's committee members. SUHF nominates committee members representing the academic community to govern Sunet's operations.
- ZoomcoreVideo conferencing platform underlying Sunet's E-möte (E-meeting) service. Offered to connected organizations for meetings, training, and seminars.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SUNET competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GÉANT: GÉANT is the pan-European research and education networking organization that interconnects Europe's NRENs, including Sunet, and provides the TCS certificate service and OCRE cloud framework that Sunet resells to Swedish institutions — making it both a direct operational peer and an upstream partner.
- NORDUnet: NORDUnet is the Nordic regional research network serving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden; it is a direct peer to Sunet within the Nordic NREN ecosystem and a co-partner on Polar Connect Step 2 for international Nordic research connectivity.
- SURF: SURF is the Dutch cooperative NREN providing network, identity, cloud, and collaboration services to Dutch universities and research institutions — the closest functional mirror of Sunet's full-stack NREN service portfolio outside the Nordic region.
- Jisc: Jisc is the UK's NREN and digital, data, and technology agency for higher education and research, offering Janet network, identity federation, cloud, and shared services — directly comparable to Sunet in scope and customer base.
- DFN (Deutsches Forschungsnetz): DFN operates the German national research network X-WiN and a broad portfolio of services (DFN-Cloud, DFNConf, DFN-Terminalserver) for German universities — the largest European NREN by country scale and a direct functional peer to Sunet.
- RENATER: RENATER is France's national research and education network providing high-speed connectivity, identity federation (FÉDÉRATION Éducation-Recherche), and associated services to French universities and research institutions — a direct peer to Sunet in the European NREN landscape.
- GARR: GARR is the Italian NREN providing ultra-broadband network and digital services to Italian universities, research institutions, and cultural organizations — directly comparable to Sunet's mission and service catalog.
- Internet2: Internet2 is the US non-profit computer networking consortium serving research and education communities, operating the Internet2 Network and InCommon identity federation — the closest direct US analog to Sunet in scope and governance model.
- CSC (Finland): CSC (IT Center for Science) is the Finnish NREN and ICT service provider for Finnish universities and research institutions, delivering network, identity, cloud, and HPC services — a direct Nordic peer and Polar Connect Step 2 co-partner alongside Sunet.
- UNINETT (Sikt): Sikt (formerly UNINETT) is Norway's NREN providing network, identity, cloud, and education-sector services to Norwegian universities and research institutions — a direct Nordic peer to Sunet in scale, mandate, and service portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SUNET social profiles
Digital presenceSUNET financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SUNET leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
SUNET funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SUNET M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SUNET
What does SUNET do?
SUNET operates Sweden's national research and education network (Sunet CD), providing internet and global research network connectivity over a redundant three-path optical fiber infrastructure to all Swedish universities, higher education institutions, government agencies, and cultural organizations. Beyond network connectivity, SUNET delivers federated identity services (SWAMID, eduID, eduID Connect), cloud infrastructure (Sunet Drive, Sunet Virtuellt Datacenter, OCRE cloud procurement), security services (eduSign digital signatures, CERT, TCS certificates, Mailfilter), and collaboration tools (Sunet Scribe transcription, Zoom-based E-möte, Kaltura-based Play media, Canvas LMS, Inspera examinations).
Is SUNET a public or private company?
SUNET is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was SUNET founded?
SUNET was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SUNET based?
SUNET is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does SUNET make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Connected Organization Fees are the primary driver. The others are government Appropriations.
Who are SUNET's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GÉANT, NORDUnet, SURF, Jisc, DFN (Deutsches Forschungsnetz), RENATER, GARR, Internet2, CSC (Finland) and UNINETT (Sikt).
Does SUNET have an API?
Yes. Sunet offers API access across multiple services. Sunet Scribe provides an API for transcription that connected organizations can integrate with their own systems. eduSign includes API integration for connecting to external systems. Sunet Virtuellt Datacenter (VDC) is managed via API or a web-based dashboard. The Play (Kaltura) service offers a comprehensive API for integrations. Sunet Datahanteringsplan is based on DMPonline which provides API access. eduID Connect can be integrated via SAML. Developer documentation is at wiki.sunet.se.
What industry is SUNET in?
SUNET's product category is National Research and Education Network (NREN) / Higher Education IT Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEALAE, IT Managed Services for Campus Operations (Service Desk, Endpoint, Network Ops), with a secondary code of HDABAOAL, Edge Compliance, Governance & Data Sovereignty Infrastructure. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 4899.