Time and frequency transfer methods based on optical fibre links techniques have demonstrated excellent performances. They are a key technology for very demanding application in metrology and science, e.g. optical clock comparisons, and also for applications in industry and society. They are complementary and/or alternative to radio- and satellite-based transfer.

The H2020 project CLONETS (http://www.clonets.eu) is a coordination and support action started in January 2017, and it aims at accelerating the take-up of the fibre link technology by industry, research and society. One of the main targets is to prepare the deployment of a permanent pan-European fibre network, providing high performance clock services to European research, and supporting wider services to industry and society.

CLONETS brings together a wide consortium of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs), academic research groups, National Research and Education Network providers (NRENs), an internet exchange and small and medium-sized high-technology companies.