Academic Network of Serbia(AMRES) is one of the country’s most advanced computer networks, connecting more than 150 institutions with over 150.000 active users. The backbone of this network, running on 2.150 km of dark fibre, is operated by Belgrade University Computing Centre.

AMRES presents one of most important national-research and education resources and has a leading role in development of Information Society in Serbia. Its main objectives are Strategic development, implementation and maintenance of ICT for researchers and students (e-learning, identity providing, grid computing); creating conditions for cooperation of researchers and institutes on national and international level for the purpose of integrating in European Research Area; preparation for the Information Society (e-Society, e-Government, e-Health).

AMRES network began when several technical faculties of the University of Belgrade made an interconnection and started internal usage of basic Internet services. At the beginning of 1996, on the anniversary of University of Belgrade, this internal network was connected to Internet. Subsequent developments were slow due to country’s isolation and inconsistent governmental support. Most of the achievements during the 90’s were based on enthusiasm of staff working at Serbian universities.

New era of rapid development started in the new millennium, supported by the Greek Academic Network (GRNET) and the German government. GRNET helped upgrading the international connection capacity from 1,5 Mbps to 7,5 Mps. Another boost to AMRES infrastructure came with a donation of German Federal Ministry of Education and Science in equipment for main nodes, coordinated by the Max Planck Institute. The Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection of Republic of Serbia, invested in deployment of optical network across Serbia. These developments facilitated creation of a network interconnecting at gigabit rates, called gigaAMRES. It is still an ongoing project with 2.150 km of dark fibre connecting universities, larger institutes, schools, libraries and other AMRES members.

AMRES marked 18th anniversary this year and still awaits to become a separate legal entity. Management and operation of AMRES is organised in form of a project - AMRES project, under the authority of a line Ministry. Until 2007, AMRES was supported by the Ministry of Science and Environmental protection, but now it is under the authority of a newly established Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Society. As contractor, the University of Belgrade is a recognised legal representative for AMRES, but major decisions are made in cooperation with universities in Novi Sad, Nis, and Kragujevac. AMRES operation fully relies on funding from the government. There is an idea of establishing a separate legal entity that would allow a sustainable development of Serbian NREN. It is planned that its management board would include representatives of the member institutions and the government.