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When did the internet come to Denmark?

The first connection, 1983

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Short answer

The internet came to Denmark in 1983, through the Department of Computer Science (DIKU) at the University of Copenhagen. Student Keld Simonsen installed Unix on one of the department's computers, and on 2 January 1983 he sent a test email to a friend in the Netherlands. The reply confirmed that DIKU had contact with the European network. In 1984 ten more Danish computers joined, and email access cost DKK 200 a year. The .dk domain started in 1987, with diku.dk among the first five domains.

Practical info

Why

  1. The first Danish email went out on 2 January 1983.
  2. It was sent from DIKU at the University of Copenhagen.
  3. The .dk domain followed in 1987.

Details

In those years a letter abroad took 5 to 10 days each way, while an email arrived in under six hours, because computers called each other about every four hours.

Tip

The test message read: "Hi Jim. This is a test. Write back if you receive it. Kind regards from Denmark."

What may differ

Other universities and institutions have their own milestones, so "the first" depends on what you count as the internet.

Common misconception

The internet first reached Denmark in the 1990s.

What actually happens

Danish computers were on the European network from 1983, and .dk existed from 1987.

People also ask

  • Who sent the first email in Denmark?
  • When did the .dk domain start?
  • When did 5G come to Denmark?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Prices and terms of mobile plans are set by each operator, so check them with your own operator.

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