Computer networks in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

The authors focus on electronic networking in the Baltic republics in the aftermath of their newly regained independence. The authors present background on the existing technology and the problems the Baltics inherited from the erstwhile Soviet Union that have constrained network development. The problems have included limited technical capabilities of Soviet-manufactured computers and the expensive, yet ineffective, communication infrastructure in principal USSR regions. The Baltic republics´ Fidonet connectivity, UUCP dial-up connections, and Internet country top-level domains are discussed. The electronic and computer industry and the communication infrastructure, which now form the backbone of Baltic computer-network development, are described.