Service activities may include:

• scientific services freely available through communication networks (e.g. databases available via Internet);

• procurement and upgrading communication infrastructure, network operation and end-to-end services;

• grid infrastructure support, operation and management; integration, test and certification; services deployed on top of generic communication and computing infrastructures to build and serve virtual communities in the various scientific domains;

• deployment, quality assurance and support of middleware component repositories;

• data and resources management (including secure shared access, global scheduling, user and application support services);

• vertical integration of the different services in support of specific virtual research communities, including virtual laboratories for simulation and specific workspaces.