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This report was prepared in response to a request from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and from the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for information on efforts to develop high-speed computer networks in the United States, Europe (limited to France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom), and Japan. Because high-speed computer networks used for research and education are of primary interest in the United States, this report specifically focuses on these types of applications. High-speed networks were identified, or, in cases where none existed, lower-speed networks that were considered to be important for research and education. High-speed networks are defined as those capable of transmitting data at, or greater than, T1 speeds of 1.544 megabits per second, or E1 speeds of 2.048 megabits per second. European and Japanese networks were identified with the assistance of experts familiar with their use of computer and communications technology. Descriptions of the U.S., European, and Japanese networking initiatives are contained in appendices I, II, and III, respectively. Appendix IV provides additional information on the objectives, scope, and methodology of the review, and appendices V and VI identify the government entities and other organizations that were contacted in Europe and Japan. (DB)