Its aim was to foster social and economic development in Manchester, England by encouraging the use of on-line communications and information services by businesses, public sector and voluntary organisations.
At its core was an email and database service, accessible locally via dial-up and via the international X.25-network globally.
The email service used equipment provided by German company GeoNet.
The project involved a number of parallel activities including the establishment of "Electronic Village Halls": drop-in centres where users could learn about the new online communications and information ("telematics") technology; and the creation of the Manchester Community Information Network.
The Manchester Host has been cited as an important example of the use of technology for economic development.