FCCN operates as the digital services unit of Portugal's Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), managing the national research and education network (RCTS) that connects universities, research institutions, and schools across the country. Since 1986, the organization has built infrastructure and services supporting more than 600,000 students, researchers, and academics.
The technical scope spans six operational pillars: Connectivity (high-speed network infrastructure), Computing (advanced/high-performance systems), Collaboration (platforms and tools), Knowledge (digital libraries and learning systems), Security, and Innovation. FCCN operates foundational infrastructure including PIX, the Portuguese Internet Exchange established in 1995, and eduroam authentication services launched in 2002. The organization develops and maintains several platforms - NAU (online learning), Educast (video services), B-ON (knowledge library), and Filesender (secure file transfer) - that serve the academic sector directly.
FCCN participates in international research networking through partnerships with GÉANT and other National Research and Education Networks worldwide. The organization maintains active open source contributions and operates with a partnership-oriented approach to the technical challenges of managing national-scale research infrastructure.