  The global neutron monitor network has been successfully used over several
decades to study cosmic ray variations and fluxes of energetic solar particles.
Nowadays, it is used also for space weather purposes, e.g. alerts and
assessment of the exposure to radiation. Here, we present the current status of
the global neutron monitor network. We discuss the ability of the global
neutron monitor network to study solar energetic particles, specifically during
large ground level enhancements. We demonstrate as an example, the derived
solar proton characteristics during ground level enhancements GLE $\#$5 and the
resulting effective dose over the globe at a typical commercial jet flight
altitude of 40 kft ($\approx$ 12 200m) above sea level. We present a plan for
improvement of space weather services and applications of the global neutron
monitor network, specifically for studies related to solar energetic particles,
namely an extension of the existing network with several new monitors. We
discuss the ability of the optimized global neutron monitor network to study
various populations of solar energetic particles and to provide reliable space
weather services.
