SWERN (The South West England Regional Network) was one of the regional networks that made up Janet, the UK's research and education network. SWERN was owned and operated by the universities of Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol, Bath and the West of England and also provided high speed connections to the other South West Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Additionally more than 40 further education institutions, specialist colleges and adult learning centres connected to the SWERN backbone to obtain Janet and Internet connectivity. SWERN served approximately 450,000 users through the region until operation of the network was handed over to Janet in 2012.