Introduction History Role of the Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI) Internet Access in Tunisia Internet Community in Tunisia Boosting Internet in Tunisia National Networks The Publinet Project Electronic Commerce in Tunisia Future Prospects

National Networks Internet and Education The Tunisian government launched in 1997 an ambitious program aiming at connecting all of the country's schools and universities to the Internet. The program also earmarked funds to build computer labs and hire instructors as well as to train students and teachers alike on the use of the new information technologies. This program aims to allow teachers, researchers and students to be provided with communications tools to improve exchanges within this community and to encourage the use of modern pedagogical tools. This program has resulted in: Computer centers being set up in poorer areas aimed at introducing computer technology to children. Use of Internet being introduced into primary and secondary schools and universities. To this effect, two national networks have been set up: The National University Network (RNU), connecting 87 universities including 21 universities via leased lines, and run by the Khawarizmi Computing Center. The EDUNET network provides connectivity to 337 secondary schools (100% of all schools) and to 40% of the preparatory classes to secondary schools. Run by INBMI, EDUNET has plans to connect 550 of the country's 4,441 primary schools during the current school year. It is projected that all primary schools will be connected by the end of 2002. Moreover, this program has enabled the communication infrastructure in educational institutions to be improved by creating computer laboratories with Internet access. There are 380 such laboratories with plans to cover all secondary schools including preparatory classes by the end of the 2000-2001 school year. Internet and Research The National Research and Technology Network (RNRT) was set up in 1993. Today it connects all of the country's 22 research centers. It is administered by IRSIT. Moreover, research groups in university and engineering school laboratories are concentrating research work on assessment of the design and performance of the new Internet protocols in order to improve the service quality of audio and video transmissions on Internet. Other subjects for research include the hierarchic management of routing in the big networks and how to improve service quality of the multimedia traffic services, and the design of mechanisms for checking network congestion. Other research work is directed to EDI and to exploring XML language as well as network security technologies. Internet and the Medical Sector The National Health Network (RNS) administered by CIMSP, connects over 84 health establishments, including all of the University Hospital Centers (20), 44 regional and rural hospitals and all of the country's regional health administrations (23). The aim for the year 2000 is to finish up connecting all hospitals, mainly other regional and rural hospitals, to the network. This network will be used also in telemedicine, allowing the quality of health services in rural areas to be improved by exploiting the skills of qualified medical staff in larger cities. Internet and Agriculture The National Agricultural Network (AGRINET) connects agricultural institutions and is administered by IRESA. This network connects all of the country's 14 Higher Institutes of Agriculture as well as its 7 Regional Research Centers. It also provides connectivity to the various departments of the Agriculture Ministry as well as its various representations throughout the country and the National Agriculture Observatory.