TOP¡ü

¡¡

Thirty-five initiatives from public, private, non-profit and community organisations across Europe have been short-listed as finalists for the 2008 European e-Inclusion Awards. The overall winners will be announced on 1 December 2008, during the Vienna Ministerial Conference on e-Inclusion.

The finalists are, per award category:
Ageing Well Award
Inforum (Hungary)
Kommunförbundet (Sweden)
London Borough of NEWHAM (United Kingdom)
Seniormedia Marketing (Austria)
Seniornett Norge (Norway)
Marginalised Young People Award

A-Clinic Foundation (Finland)
CSV TEN (United Kingdom)
Cyberhus (Denmark)
Fundaci¨®n Tomillo (Spain)
KPN (Netherlands)
Geographic Inclusion Award

Kyyjärven kunta (Finland)
Ministry of Communications and IT - PMU Knowledge Economy (Romania)
Welsh Assembly Government (United Kingdom)
Youth Association for Habitat (Turkey)
South Witham Broadband (United Kingdom)
Cultural Diversity Award

Erudis,o.p.s (Czech Republic)
Focus-5 TV (Switzerland)
ITpreneurs (Netherlands)
Milton Keynes Council (United Kingdom)
Municipality of the Hague Public Library (Netherlands)
Digital Literacy Award

Association ¡®Langas i ateiti¡¯ (Lithunia)
Les Ateliers du Bocage (AdB) on behalf of TechSoup Europe (France)
Sonovista (Austria)
Swedish Disability Federation (Sweden)
Tampere City Library, Sampola Library, Netsquare (Finland)
eAccessibility Award

Apex (Czech Republic)
Enable Ireland (Ireland)
IAM-Ayuntamiento de Madrid (Spain)
Medicton Group (Czech Republic)
Synscenter Refsnæs (Denmark)
Inclusive Public Services Award

Centre of Registers and Information Systems (Estonia)
Sotiria Hospital (Greece)
eHungary Project (Hungary)
Mid-West Regional Authority (Ireland)
Significan¡¯t (United Kingdom)

The five finalists in each category will be invited to exhibit at the Ministerial Conference on e-Inclusion to be held from 30 November to 2 December 2008 in Vienna, Austria. The overall awards winners will be announced during the conference¡¯s awards ceremony on 1 December 2008.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/16/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Guiding Ministries Towards the Achievement of Danish eGovernment Goals

A guidance document has been sent to all Danish ministries in order to update their respective IT strategies in line with the national eGovernment strategy 2007-2010. Clear and updated ministerial IT strategies are seen as a prerequisite for achieving the goals of the Danish eGovernment Strategy 2007-2010. In particular, individual government departments must contribute to reaching the target of enabling, by 2012, the digitisation of communications within the Public Administration, as well as between the administration and businesses/citizens. The National IT Council, where all Danish ministries are represented, approved this guidance document (referred to as ¡®guidelines for the ministerial IT strategies¡¯) on 26 June 2008. These guidelines had been developed by a working group of the National IT Council, with the participation of nine ministries.

The guidelines focus on strategic business-driven IT objectives, the efforts required and their continuous measurement. The goal of this document is to help ensure that ministries have an overview of the strategic challenges ahead. These include, in particular:
The full digitisation of internal processes;
Better and more flexible public eServices;
Targeted efforts to cut red tape;
The effective management and joint operation of the administration¡¯s IT systems;
Focus on green IT, so as to contribute to the reduction of the environmental impact.

The guidelines have been sent to ministries together with a recommendation inviting them to have their IT strategies updated accordingly by the end of 2009, or when their respective strategies expire. A central, key element in the guidelines is the framework for the ministries¡¯ relation to the National IT Council which, during the coming years, will take over the operation of many of the ministries¡¯ IT departments. Commenting on the guide, Helge Sander, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation said "IT and digitisation will stimulate innovation and development at individual ministry level as well". "Ministries are, within their respective areas of responsibility, placed at the forefront of the development of new digital solutions for the benefit of citizens and businesses." he concluded.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/08/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Dutch Pilot Municipalities Connect to ¡®Government Answers©¡¯

GovUnited is in charge of connecting five Dutch pilot municipalities to the transparency products of Overheid heeft Antwoord©¡¯ (Government Answers©). After the implementation of the content management system, these municipalities will be connected to four transparency products, namely: publications, cooperating catalogues, local regulations and licences. These are expected to be online at the beginning of 2009. Connection to the services of ¡®Overheid heeft Antwoord©¡¯ (Government Answers) provides an added service to citizens and businesses; they will be able to find online information on roadworks, local by-laws, passports applications, or to access the requested licences, etc. In other words, the information citizens have to keep their eye out for in their door-to-door weekly newspaper will be made available 24-hours a day, often via a simple catchword.

As a result, it does not matter where the citizen or entrepreneur looks for this information because there is 'no wrong door': Someone searching for a local licence, can, of course, look on the website of the province in question, but also on her/his own municipality¡¯s website and on the central eGovernment portal www.overheid.nl. This will result in a considerable expansion and improvement of the digital services at local level. GovUnited is a public sector organisation seeking to improve and standardise both the public services and the internal administration of local governments in the Netherlands.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/02/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Yahoo! Chief Executive Jerry Yang Leaves As Strategy Falters

Yahoo! chief executive Jerry Yang is to step down from the role after failing to deliver a deal with either Microsoft or Google. Mr Yang, one of the company's founders who returned to the top job to help revive the search engine in June 2007, will return to his previous role directing Yahoo!'s global strategy. The decision by him to step down emerged following a Yahoo! board meeting on Monday, at which his fellow directors agreed to accept his resignation from the top job. Mr Yang, 40, will stay in the role until a successor is found, with headhunter Heidrick and Struggles having been hired to look at internal and external candidates. The most likely internal option is thought to be Yahoo! president Sue Decker, a former banker, although she is closely associated with Mr Yang and has been involved in many of his major decisions in his time at the helm. Mr Yang's move will come as little surprise to those who have watched the company over the last 12 months, given his failure to bring about either a viable merger partner or a strong revenue-generating deal.

"The strategic necessity here is for this company to merge with Microsoft," Larry Haverty, a fund manager at Gamco Investors, told Bloomberg. "This is just unmitigated good news for the Yahoo! shareholders." The final strategic mishap was the collapse of a ten-year search deal with Google a few weeks ago, which would have brought in $800m in extra annual revenues for Yahoo! towards the end of the deal's lifespan. That deal collapsed because of opposition from the Department of Justice on competition concerns, leading Mr Yang to suggest at a recent conference that a tie-up with Microsoft was probably still Yahoo's best bet strategically. Microsoft offered to buy Yahoo! for as much as $33-a-share in a series of offerss from February to May, but the Yahoo! board resisted its overtures, in favour of the deal with Google. Yahoo! shares have since slumped.

"Over the past year and a half, despite extraordinary challenges and distractions, Jerry Yang has led the repositioning of Yahoo! on an open platform model as well as the improved alignment of costs and revenues," said chairman Roy Bostock said on Monday night. Mr Bostock will lead the search for a new chief executive, and said that the board and Mr Yang had had constant discussions about succession planning. Mr Yang added: "Having set Yahoo! on a new, more open path, the time is right for me to transition the CEO role and our global talent to a new leader. I will continue to focus on global strategy and to do everything I can to help Yahoo! realize its full potential and enhance its leading culture of technology and product excellence and innovation."

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ 11/18/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Internet Treaties Take Effect in HK China

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty (WCT) and WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) apply to Hong Kong with effect from Oct. 1, the Hong Kong SAR government announced on Wednesday. The two treaties, collectively referred to as the Internet Treaties, aim at updating and improving the protection of copyright and related rights in light of new digital technologies. The government said that the copyright legislation in Hong Kong is fully in compliance with the international standards enshrined in the Internet Treaties. The exclusive rights given to the producers of phonograms under the HKSAR's copyright legislation in effect provides them with a higher level of protection when compared with the right to equitable remuneration laid down in the Internet Treaties. Some requirements of the Internet Treaties, which are on performers' rights and rental rights, have been incorporated in the Copyright Ordinance of Hong Kong under a major copyright law amendment exercise in 2007 and the relevant provisions came into effect on April 25, 2008.

From Xinhua News Agency 10/01/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

China Shanghai Super-fast Internet by 2009

Internet 50 or 100 times faster than current speeds will be available in Shanghai next year and cover 10 million families nationwide by 2010, government officials said yesterday. The technology, called 3TNET, will be available in the Yangtze River Delta region soon. Previously, thousands of families tested it in Shanghai's Changning District and Pudong New Area, said the Ministry of Science and Technology and the local government. Using the high-performance broadband network, people can access interactive services including high-quality Internet-protocol TV, remote medical and education access, and video-on-demand, according to the developer ?? the Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Broadband Technologies & Application (B-STAR). At present, broadband speeds are around 1 or 2 megabytes per second (Mbps), 3TNET's speed is 100Mbps or higher. 3TNET delivers information through fiber optics and requires huge investment on network upgrades, therefore it will be available in new communities first.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the city government expressed satisfaction with the achievements of a ministry-and-city cooperation program, in place since 2004, and signed off a new round of cooperative projects at yesterday's meeting. "Many high-end technologies will be introduced to the city by 2010 to help promote the Expo," said Shen Xiaoming, vice mayor of Shanghai. "Solar-energy powered buildings, environmentally friendly vehicles and ticketing systems in the Expo zone as well as projects on anti-terrorism, food safety and public safety issues such as epidemic disease prevention and control will all be showcased at the Expo." Shanghai will also be the location for key national projects such as the construction of a base for deep-sea technology research.

From Shanghai Daily 11/04/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Japan Best Infrastructure for Broadband, Research Shows

Japan has the world's best infrastructure for broadband services, helped by its fiber- optic networks, according to research conducted by two European universities. Of the 42 countries studied, Japan has the highest score for download and upload speeds and latency, the U.K.'s University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo in Spain said in a statement. Sweden is second, followed by the Netherlands, according to the research, financed by Cisco Systems Inc. The so-called broadband quality score is based on download and upload throughput and latency, or the time it takes for a packet of data to be sent from source to destination. The speed of networks and the quality of servers and Internet users' home computers all contribute affect the score. ``Quality will be even more important in the future because of new applications,'' Fernando Gil de Bernabe, managing director at Cisco's Internet Business Solutions Group, said in a phone interview yesterday. Services that involve live communication, such as Web calls and online gaming, require low latency, Gil de Bernabe said. Japan is the only country with a broadband quality score of more than 75, which is required to deliver future services such as high-definition television based on Internet technology and live event broadcasts in ``cinema-quality,'' according to the statement.

From http://www.bloomberg.com/ 09/12/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

SOUTH KOREA Wins Best e-Gov

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), South Korea, has won the top award conferred by the e-Challenges Conference and Exhibition to a helpful e-government systems held in Stockholm, Sweden, last week. This annual conference supported by the European Commission has sought for 18 years to bring together over 650 delegates from leading commercial, government and research organizations around the world to bridge the digital divide by sharing knowledge, experience, lessons learnt and good practice. Among 26 systems presented by 10 countries including Germany, Britain and Austria, the commission's "People's Online Petition and Discussion Portal" won the Best Demonstration Stand Award. ACRC, South Korea launched the system in June 2006 by merging scattered online channels which had collected civil complaints and petitions. Then the commission began to extend the online service to local governments, which allows citizens in provincial areas to suggest policies and join policy-making.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/04/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Blazing Ahead with Innovation - Singapore New Infocomm Champions Crowned

Fifteen companies were presented the National Infocomm Awards (NIA), the highest accolade for infocomm innovation in Singapore, for making their mark in infocomm development and innovative adoption of infocomm technology. The companies received their awards from RADM (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Senior Minister of State for Education, and Information, Communications and the Arts, at the NIA gala dinner this evening. Jointly organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF), this biennial event provides a platform for recognising innovative products and services from infocomm companies. It also gives recognition to private and public sector organisations which have harnessed infocomm technology to enhance their business. This year, a new sub-category was created to recognise the efforts of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in using infocomm innovatively to achieve business gains and economic competitiveness. The response to this new sub-category was laudable and nominations came from different sectors, ranging from real estate to even Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Nominations from the public sector demonstrated that the Government continues to innovatively use infocomm technology to push the envelope in the delivery of public services to citizens. This will further enhance Singapore¡¯s position as a leader in e-Government. In the infocomm product/service category, the nominations showed infocomm companies using a variety of technologies, from social networking and digital media to knowledge management and infocomm security. A new group of young and promising entrepreneurs with a global outlook has also emerged. Many of them submitted products and services that are ready to go-to-market worldwide. RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of IDA and Co-chair of NIA 2008 said, "The spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship can clearly be seen in the many good quality nominations received this year. This bodes well for the Singapore infocomm industry indeed, and we are confident that the winners of NIA 2008 are able to compete effectively in the global marketplace."

Sharing the sentiments was Mr Pek Yew Chai, Immediate Past Chairman of SiTF and Co-chair of NIA 2008. "The companies displayed high-level of commitment and passion for their products and solutions. We hope the winners will continue to produce ideas that are truly Singaporean innovations with global impact." The list of this year¡¯s winners and merit awards recipients is found in Annex A. The details of the winning projects are found in the attached fact sheets. Nominations were evaluated by two evaluation committees and a panel of judges made up of representatives from the infocomm industry. The nominations were evaluated based on the criteria of innovativeness, ease of use, technology used, scale of implementation, market presence and business impact. This is the fourth time the NIA is being held. Besides recognising leaders in innovation technology and celebrating the spirit of innovation in the infocomm industry, NIA has helped past winners break into overseas market and establish themselves as innovative, capable and credible infocomm companies.

From http://www.ida.gov.sg/ 10/14/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Laos Investing in ICT to Promote e-Governance

The Government of Laos is planning to invest US$35 millions of budget to digitise the country by developing ICT infrastructure to allow Laos people to get access to any electronic government services by next year. The plan also includes the development of wireless technology in Vientiane city to turn the traditional city to become the first WiMax town in Asian countries to provide high speed Internet access to support the upcoming Seagame 2009. Under the egovernment project, there were five pillars for the development; the development of infrastructure, human resource, legal framework, ICT application and standardization. In order to improve ICT industry, the government will develop electronic related legislations to cope up with the upcoming information technology era such as e-Government law, cyber crime and e-Commerce law. In part of ICT applications, he said the government planned to develop national portal site to link all government office web sites to provide a single point of contact to provide eservices to the public such as e-Registration, e-Map, e-Learning, e-Application and e-Revenue. The plan is to develop standard Laos Unicode to build up provide Laos language platform to support new information technology development. In addition, the government has a plan to turn the city of Vientiane into wireless city by planning to set up 10 WiMax based stations in Vientiane and 16 based station in capital cities nationwide.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/06/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Unique Identity Number for All Residents of India by Early 2010

An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGOM) headed by the External Affairs Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherji recently, approved the establishment of a Unique Identity Authority for all residents of the country. The modalities of collation of the Unique Identity (UID) scheme has also been approved by the EGOM. The National Population Register proposed to be created by the Home Ministry through the Registrar General of the Census of India concurrently with the census 2011 in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Citizenship Act. EGOM approved UID Authority will be responsible for creating and maintaining the core database and to lay down all necessary procedures for issuance and usage of UID including arrangements for collection, validation and authentication of information, proper security of data, rules for sharing and access to information, safeguards to ensure adequate protection of privacy and all aspects related to all of these issues. Any agency, public or private, which deals with individuals and incorporates the UID number of each such individual in its databases, will be able to share information with other agencies which do likewise.

It has been decided that at the inception, the UID number will be assigned to all voters by building on current electoral roll data and progressively adding other persons including persons below 18 years of age who are not a part of the voters list in the country. Over a period of time, through failsafe procedures backed by intensive use of technology and with the help of multiple government agencies, the currency and comprehensiveness of the database will be perfected. The scheme is designed to leverage intensive usage of the UID for multiple purposes to provide an efficient and convenient mechanism to update information. Photographs and biometric data will be added progressively to make the identification foolproof. Easy registration and information change procedures are envisaged for the benefit of the people.

The Unique Identity Project seeks to assign a unique identity (UID) number to each individual in the country that would remain a permanent identifier right from birth to death of the individual. From the point of view of any person in the country, the UID offers many benefits. First and foremost, it would obviate the need for a person to produce multiple documentary proofs of his identity for availing of any government service, or private services like opening of a bank account, etc. This would end needless harassment that people face for availing of basic government services like issuance of passports, driving licences, Electoral Identity Cards, etc. Backed by intensive use of technology, it would greatly facilitate easy verification of a person's identity and enable a single communication to trigger address changes in all relevant agencies records. It would also serve as the basis for many e-governance services incorporating online verification of a person's identity. UID would enable government to ensure that benefits under various welfare programmes reach the intended beneficiaries, prevent cornering of benefits by a few people and minimize frauds. It would enable financial institutions to exchange information regarding defaulters and encourage responsible borrower behaviour.

It is further expected that usage of UID will be progressively extended to various government programmes and regulatory agencies, as well as private sector agencies in the banking, financial services, mobile telephony and other such areas. Over a period of time, the UID is expected to become the single universal identification mechanism across all institutions of the government and the private sector in the country. The UID is expected to become available to an initial set of users by early 2010.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

India Delhi Best e-Governed State: Dataquest

Technology magazine Dataquest, has chosen Delhi as the best e-governed state in the country. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit received the award from Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah at an event held on 22nd October.The other winners included Lakshmi Narayanan of Cognizant Technology Solutions as IT person of the year, Sanjeev Bhikchandani of Naukri.com as the path-breaker of the year and D.B. Pathak of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Mumbai for lifetime achievement. Besides this other corporate awardees included Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Hewlett-Packard, NIIT, Microsoft, SAP, Cisco Systems, vCustomer, iGate, Ingram Micro, IBM India and Genpact.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/24/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Tajikistan MPs Work Out Credit History Bill Credit Information System

Tajik parliamentarians have worked out a credit history bill, which is based on recommendations from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Fund (IMF), the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction (EBRD) and the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), Tajik MP Ismoil Talbakov remarked at seminar on working out the credit information system that was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on September 25. According to him, while working out the bill, they have taken into consideration experiences of the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan in this field. Credit history or credit report is a record of an individual's or company's past borrowing and repaying, including information about late payments and bankruptcy. Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Muhiddin Tojiyev, the public relations specialists, IFC Dushanbe Office, said that the seminar had been held by IFC in partnership with the USAID-financed Central Asia Microfinance Alliance II project (CAMFA II).

CAMFA II is the continuation of the highly successful CAMFA project, one of a new generation of ACDI/VOCA credit projects addressing marketplace demand for financial services and products through the establishment of targeted assistance. CAMFA, which lasted four years, supported local financial institutions in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It strengthened the microfinance-lending community by offering a broad range of innovative financial solutions, technical assistance and training to make the institutions more sustainable and effective. According to Tojiyev, MPs Ismoil Talbakov, Safarali Gulov and Nourali Rizoyev represented Tajikistan in the seminar. During its stay in Bishkek, the Tajik delegation also held a number of meetings. The, in particular, Colin Avel Wesley Raymond, Adviser to IFC for Organization of the Credit Information System in Eastern Europe, Klaus Dieter Braun, Regional Representative of the German Credit Bureau SHUFA, and Akzhol Elebesova, Director of Kyrgyzstan¡¯s Credit Bureau Ishenim. In the course of the talks, the sides exchanged views and experiences on the credit information system. (by Mavjouda Hasanova)

From http://www.asiaplus.tj/ 10/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Sri Lanka Government Network Reaches Its First Stage of Completion

Lanka Government Network (LGN), a Government intended project has completed its first phase of completion under the supervision of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), covering five provinces in the country. This ambitious LGN project implementation was carried out as a strategic project of the Re-Engineering Government programme of Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), functioning under the Presidential Secretariat. This programme aims towards connecting public serving Government offices, like ministries, departments as well as district and divisional secretariats via a single unified network. SLT will be providing a multiple range of products, which include voice, video, broadband internet, networking and hosting services. It further facilitates communities on the network by giving prompt online access to software driven user interface, which enhances the effectiveness of service delivery in the office environment. In the first stage this programme was working towards providing connectivity to 325 government offices including offices in the Western, Central, Southern, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces, through SLT's intelligent communication solution using advanced Internet Protocol (IP) technology.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Australia Queensland ICT Industry Launches Green Initiatives

More than 170 Information Technology leaders from government and business participated in the launch of a new Green IT Industry Special Interest Group (SIG) and Taskforce in Brisbane to help the ICT industry move from discussion on Green IT to action and best practice. The Taskforce¡¯s membership comprises of senior managers from the Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council and the IT Industry. It was set up to support the SIG, who will assist the IT industry and major IT users to adapt to the changing business landscape that climate change and carbon accounting have created, and coordinate the activities of government and the IT industry to maximize their value and effectiveness. One of the organisation¡¯s early and most significant initiatives will be to identify the options for developing an accreditation scheme for Green IT Practitioners.

Nick Tate Chair of Australian Computer Society (ACS) Queensland said reporting carbon emissions is now a reality in Australia with the Federal Government¡¯s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act (NGER Act) having taken effect from 1 July 2008 with initially more than 400 leading companies required to comply. "Last year, the ACS has revealed that ICT use by Australian businesses generated 7.94 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2005. We believe that Carbon Accounting, which records and reports carbon emissions, is becoming a normal part of business accounting with Australia¡¯s Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme planned to start in 2010," said Tate. The Green IT Industry Taskforce interim chair and ICT Industry Workgroup Executive Officer, Paul Campbell said many perceived that the NGER Act and Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme only affected the large carbon emitters, however many smaller companies - regardless of their size - who provided services to these large companies would be caught up in these schemes.

"The larger business community will also be affected as the real cost of carbon emission is passed on through increased pricing in goods and services," said Campbell. "As what we have recommended when we released our Audit Report, we believe that Australian¡¯s adoption of Green IT practices will make a significant contribution to reducing our carbon emissions," said Tate said. "We hope that these new Queensland industry initiatives will be a role model for the rest of Australia."

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 10/02/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

New Zealand Digital Strategy 2.0 - Smarter Through Digital

Communications and Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe launched Digital Strategy 2.0 today. "This Strategy provides a bold vision and concrete actions to help New Zealanders become leaders in the digital world." "Revolutionary change has occurred since the 2005 Digital Strategy. Robust competition is driving a wave of investment to build super fast broadband networks," said David Cunliffe. "No country has more to gain from this digital revolution than New Zealand. Through it we overcome our remoteness, leverage our inventiveness and show off our uniqueness. "The building blocks of the Digital Strategy remain relevant: super fast connection, enhanced user confidence and cool content. DS 2.0 sets out targets and actions that take these to the next level and emphasises the importance of collaboration to get there.

"DS 2.0 challenges us to go further to secure outcomes from this technology: new digital productivity; reduced environmental footprints, and communities that are locally networked and globally connected." "To do this we are introducing a number of exciting new projects such as Connected New Zealand and the Digital Content Innovation Cluster. We¡¯re also expanding successful initiatives, such as videoconferencing and teleworking, the Aotearoa People¡¯s Network and the Community Partnership Fund." A major initiative of the Strategy is the $340 million for the Broadband Investment Fund over three years from Budget 2008 to enable affordable broadband roll-out based on competitive open-access principles. This is part of the $500 million the government has committed to investing in broadband infrastructure over the next five years. DS2 sets updated targets for connection speed and super fast broadband rollout.

David Cunliffe said the government was committed to creating digital opportunities by bringing the benefits of ICT to all New Zealanders. "The Digital Strategy is about people and their ability to connect to the world. It¡¯s about bringing all New Zealanders on the journey by breaking down the digital divide, and building their capability and confidence in using ICT. The future belongs to us all." The Digital Strategy 2.0 is available online at www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz

From http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ 08/28/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

The Senate has approved a bill which will allow civil servants to do more of their government paperwork over the internet. The bill will summon the creation of electronic data boxes which would enable departments to communicate among themselves as well as firms and citizens who have their own data boxes. The Interior Ministry hopes the move will reduce bureaucracy and save citizens¡¯ and clerks¡¯ time. The bill is slated to take effect on July 1, 2009.

Interior Minister Ivan Langer hopes that this would help create a public administration revolution. The bill was supported by a majority of 53 out of 56 senators who were present. It was passed by a majority of the votes in the Chamber of Deputies in June 2008. State bodies will be mandated to communicate electronically with one another while it will not be compulsory for all individuals. "But we are looking for ways to motivate them to obtain the boxes," said Langer. The ministry will create data boxes for interested individuals free of charge within three working days of the application filing.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 08/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Bulgaria Speeding Up the Development of Information Society

The Bulgarian Council of Ministers has adopted a new programme aimed at accelerating the development of Information Society in the country for the period 2008-2010. The document defines the operational framework of the Bulgarian Information Society model. It addresses in particular the use of new knowledge, technologies and practices necessary for generating and implementing technology transfers.

Furthermore, the new programme focuses on the convergence of information and communication technology (ICT), electronic content and public services, as well as the improvement of the quality of life. In doing so, it takes account of the various options that ICT provide in terms of social and economic development. It is to be noted that the new programme covers the concept of ¡®inclusive Information Society¡¯ whose application is intended to integrate all layers of society in the Information Society while supporting the development of human capital. This programme has been prepared by the State Agency for Information Technology and Communications, Bulgaria¡¯s public agency tasked with managing IT and communications.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Bulgarian eHealth Strategic Planning Approved

The Bulgarian Government has approved a new health strategy which notably targets the implementation of eHealth in the country. The new strategy covers the period 2008-2013 and is accompanied by an action plan. According to the Ministry of Health, these documents are "a response to new healthcare realities, priorities and challenges. Their goal is to build a restructured, reformed, efficient and financially sustainable health system that provides quality healthcare promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation".

To this end, the strategy pursues, in terms of eHealth, the following objectives:
The availability of electronic health records for patients by 2009;
The introduction of eHealth cards by 2013;
A level of high-tech hospital equipment comparable to that of other EU countries;
The integration of emergency care contacts into the single phone number 112.
The optimisation of the information exchange of data appears among the major challenges facing the management of the new health strategy. In this light, the related action plan foresees the set-up of an integrated system of electronic data in the field of health.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/08/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

New Government Bill Opens Path for Czech National Registers

A first step has been made, in the Czech Republic, towards the establishment of online national public sector information registers. A draft bill on basic registers, presently before the Czech Parliament, represents an important first step towards the establishment of effective online national registers. Once established these could significantly reduce the administrative burden on businesses and Czech citizens who presently still need to physically go from one administration to another to deal with administrative issues.

The bill is the first of six laws that will need to be passed in order to change the situation. As these texts have not all been prepared as yet, it is likely that Czech citizens will still have to wait a few more years before the actual registers can be launched. Nevertheless, the current bill is an important step forward after ten years of discussion on the need for electronic registers. The main issues to be faced include concern over data protection, confidentiality and the rights of those included in the registers. It is also suggested that the bill should include provisions for the use and reuse of public sector information (PSI), as foreseen by the European Union¡¯s PSI Directive.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/06/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

ODF Approved as a National Standard in Sweden

The OSOR.EU (Open Source Observatory and Repository for European public administrations) reported the approval of the OpenDocument format (ODF) as a national standard in Sweden. The OpenDocument format (ODF) is a file format for electronic office documents such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word processing documents. The OpenDocument standard meets the common definitions of an open standard, meaning that the specification is freely available and implementable. OFD Alliance, the ODF advocacy organisation indicated that "Sweden now joins Brazil, Croatia, Italy, South Korea, and South Africa as countries whose national standards bodies have formally approved this standard." SIS press officer Erika Messing called the approval a "routine". SIS was one of the national standardisation organisations that took part in the procedure at ISO to approve ODF, she said. "ISO approved it in 2006 and now SIS has made it a national standard." Ms Messing added that all standards are voluntary to use. European standards are mandatory to implement as national standards, but they are still voluntarily used.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

eGovernment Concept Unveiled in Slovakia

The Slovak Government has recently approved the ¡®National Concept for Informatisation of Public Administration¡¯ (NCIPA). Presented as the "second key document for the development of eGovernment in Slovakia", this concept is a follow-up to the country¡¯s ¡®Strategy for Public Administration Informatisation¡¯. According to the Slovak Ministry of Finance, the NCIPA "takes the vision of development and strategic eGovernment objectives to deeper levels of system architecture and infrastructure." The NCIPA defines an integrated architecture for the Information Systems operated by the Public Administration (referred to as ¡®ISPA¡¯). The new concept specifies common bases, principles and priorities for the building of information systems operated by the State Administration and local authorities in compliance with their defined competencies. The aim is to ensure the interconnection and mutual cooperation of all Slovak Public Administrations¡¯ systems.

Among other basic architecture components, the NCIPA notably specifies identifiers, registers, code-books, access components, common ÚPVS (Central Public Administration Portal) modules, etc. The aim is to ensure that any particular data is modified only once, at one point, with the modified data being automatically forwarded to all registers. Citizens will thus not be asked to provide the same data several times. At the same time, the concept provides for the observance of the following principles: services for citizens, transparency, protection of privacy, effectiveness, accessibility, security, interoperability, usage of "Open Standards", technology and software neutrality, simple interpretation, process approach and multi-level cooperation.

The document aims at implementing procedures based on best practices from the countries with the highest level of digitalisation in Public Administration. In addition, it is to be noted that the proposed integrated architecture is based on the latest trend in the area of system integration, the so-called ¡®Service-Oriented Architecture¡¯ (SOA). "Provided that, in line with the NCIPA, a legislative framework supporting the application of information and communication technologies in Public Administration is established, appropriate infrastructure is built, and an effective digitalisation of administrative sectors is performed, benefits expected from the informatisation of Public Administration will be delivered to all stakeholders - citizens, businesses, Public Aministration, etc." concluded the Slovak Ministry of Finance.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/13/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

CHINA: Gov't Supports Quake-zone Students in IT Contest

The Chinese Ministry of Education said on Friday it would support students in the quake zone in this year's nationwide IT contest, since the country has a dire shortage of technology talents. The ministry will reserve 10 seats in the final round for students from southwest China's Sichuan Province, the center of the May 12 earthquake, and it plans to raise the award quota for them. In addition, the ministry will provide free training material and online study accounts. An official with the ministry said the event was the only authoritative IT competition in China and played a key role in fostering talent. Travel and accommodation expenses for contestants from Sichuan will be paid by China Distance Education Holdings Ltd. (CDEL), the country's largest online education provider, during their stay in the capital for the final. According to its official website (www.itatedu.com), the competition, jointly hosted by the ministry and CDEL, runs from October 18 to December 3. Winning contestants will get scholarships and free training. "Sichuan is awaiting revival. With vigorous support from the country, we expect students there will be eager for IT studies," said the ministry official. The ministry has set up more than 300 IT training bases nationwide in the past eight years, which have helped more than 50,000 people get IT certifications. A survey by employment service Manpower Inc. found that technicians led the list of jobs in demand in China in the first half of 2008.

From Xinhua News Agency 09/06/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

China Orders Phone Companies to Share Networks

Regulators have ordered China's phone companies to share their networks amid an industry restructuring that is to clear the way for introduction of third-generation mobile phone service in the world's biggest mobile market. The measure is meant to hold down costs and avoid duplication as carriers roll out 3G service, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced late Monday. The rollout of 3G is expected to trigger billions of dollars in orders to foreign equipment suppliers as carriers upgrade networks. Regulators have delayed issuing 3G licenses while they restructure state-owned carriers into three groups, each with mobile and fixed-line service, in an effort to spur competition and innovation. "Existing telecom towers and lines must be open to rivals," the telecoms ministry said in a statement. "If conditions are appropriate, operators should join together in building new base stations and transmission lines." It gave no details of how costs or capacity would be shared. China is the world's biggest mobile phone market by number of subscribers with more than 590 million accounts. The industry restructuring is meant to spur competition at a time when the popularity of mobile service is surging while fixed-line carriers are struggling to attract new customers. The plan calls for rearranging state-owned carriers into three groups based around China Mobile, China Telecom Ltd. and China Unicom Ltd. Beijing also has tried to attract more foreign investors into the industry by lowering minimum investments in some areas, though foreigners are banned from owning a controlling stake in telecoms ventures.

From http://www.axilltv.com 10/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Photo, ID Required in Beijing Internet Cafes

When Zhang Lihong entered Suosi Internet cafe in Xicheng District, Beijing Oct. 16, she noticed something new on the counter- a machine with a digital camera and scanner. "Please have your photo taken, and your ID card scanned here," the clerk stood up and said. Zhang was confused and wanted to know why she had to do this. The clerk explained that authorities are trying to crack down on Internet misuse in the city. The 24-year-old's photo and a copy of her resident identity card were sent to the Municipal Law Enforcement Agency of Beijing and placed in a file. Zhang was then given a four-digit password, escorted to a computer, and told to enter her information on an interface to activate the computer. "You don't need to go through the same process again when you visit Internet cafes like us," the clerk explained. "By providing your ID number, you can check in after we verify your filed information." Zhang smiled as she started to surf the Internet. "This is a reasonable measure. You spend two minutes and you can enjoy a healthier virtual world," she said. "Today, there are many hackers, net rumors being spread around and people sending erotic content. Now that users have their images taken, they dare not do bad things." A spokeswoman from the Municipal Law Enforcement Agency of Beijing said 1,500 Internet cafes in 14 districts and counties of the city have the same device.

It is called the Beijing Internet Cafe Customer Registration Device. "By the middle of December, Internet cafes in another four districts and counties of Beijing will receive these devices," said the spokeswoman who wanted to remain anonymous. "The new device annoyed me a lot at first," said Li Yunfei, the manager of Suosi Internet Cafe. "80% of my customers just went away when they saw the device. My cafe was like an empty classroom." After a month, people become used to it, however, and Li's turnover recovered. "After all, I need to use it, or I will be fined and will lose my reputation," Li said. Jia Fei, the manager of Hailetong Internet Cafe, a chain with more than 500 computers, believes the new system makes his work more efficient. "Now I can easily track the exact online time of my customers and when they switch to other computers," Jia said. "If someone commits Internet crimes, I can help the police to pin him." Ma Zhengnan expressed relief when she heard about the new devices outside an Internet cafe near her 18-year-old son's high school. "This can keep students away from indulging in computer games," Ma said. However, some netizens dislike the law enforcement initiative. "I will not go to Internet cafes any more," said Li Weiwei. "Who knows if my personal information is being exposed to people with bad motives."

From Xinhua News Agency 10/17/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

China Regulator Shuts Video Web Sites, Warns Others

China's Internet regulator on Monday ordered 10 online video sites to shut down and warned another 17, resuming an aggressive policy on such sites that had been relaxed during the summer. The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) said in a notice on its Web site (Chinese) that under the "Internet Audio Video Program Service Management Regulations," "there are still some Web sites posting audio and video programs containing pornography, violence and terror, endangering national security." The 10 sites ordered to shut down include minor local sites, such as TVSou.com, TSXZ.com and Feesee.com. All 10 were still accessible at the time of writing Tuesday evening, local Beijing time. Another 17 sites were officially warned to comply with SARFT regulations, including 371dvd.com, which on Tuesday prominently displayed director Gu Changwei's banned film "Spring Begins" ("Li Chun") as one of its offerings, VeryCD.com and JPSeek.com. These sites too were still readily accessible. China's online video sites are wildly popular but walk a thin line regarding politically sensitive or pornographic material that can be posted to their site. In June, one of China's top three such sites, 56.com, spent over a month offline. Although the company attributed it to technical expansion, the site had been operating without a license. As such, operators of these sites see self-censorship as good business, and employ teams of content screeners to remove sensitive material. "If you're purely user-generated, then to be honest you may have a lot of racy content, and brand advertisers are very wary and uncomfortable," said Victor Koo, CEO of China's most popular video site, Youku.com, in an August interview with IDG News Service.

From http://www.itworld.com 10/28/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

China Classifies Internet Addiction

China could become the first country to classify internet addiction as a clinical disorder - similar to compulsive gambling or alcohol addiction. Chinese psychologists have drawn up new guidelines on internet addiction, and China's health ministry is likely to adopt them next year. China has the world's largest online population at 253 million people. A top Chinese legislator said in August that about four million of China's web users under the age of 18 are addicted to the internet. Recent research showed that 42% of Chinese youngsters felt "addicted" to the web, compared to 18% in the US.

From http://tvnz.co.nz 11/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

JAPAN: ASEAN and Japan First Agreed on ICT Work Plan

Today, the meeting of communications ministers from Japan and 10 ASEAN1 member countries was held in Bali, Indonesia. Aiming to steadily promote assistance in the ICT field for ASEAN, Japan's Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications MASUDA proposed a two-year work plan covering comprehensive cooperation programs. The proposal was adopted as the first ASEAN-Japan agreement on an ICT work plan that includes specific programs. Programs covered in the work plan includes supporting IPv6 engineer training, convening a meeting on ICT for disaster prevention and management, convening a meeting of ASEAN-Japan on ICT security policy, and implementing human resources development programs for next-generation IP-based network, Multilanguage Translation Technology, ICT policy, etc. 1. ASEAN-Japan ICT Work Plan for 2008-2009, which was proposed by the MIC Minister Masuda and adopted at the meeting, covers comprehensive cooperation programs in the ICT field that Japan will implement for ASEAN over the next year. ASEAN and Japan agreed to start preparing the plan at the last year's ASEAN-Japan ICT Ministers Meeting (attended by then MIC Senior Vice-Minister Tamura), and have since examined the plan for a year. The plan will be updated annually at the ASEAN-Japan ICT Ministers Meeting. 2. Key programs of the ASEAN-Japan ICT Work Plan for 2008-2009 are as follows - Supporting IPv6 engineer training Japan will promote comprehensive cooperation for ASEAN on IPv6, such as dispatching Japan's experts to training for IPv6 engineers in ASEAN countries. - Convening a meeting on ICT for disaster prevention and management In light of the frequent occurrences of natural disasters in Asia, the meeting will be held, through cooperation of APT2, at the end of September in the Philippines to discuss the use of communications technologies for communications in the event of disaster, prevention of secondary disasters, and so on. - Convening a meeting of ASEAN-Japan on ICT security policy. The meeting will be held, through cooperation of MIC, National Information Security Center and the Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, around February of next year in Japan to develop the business environment with information security as well as the stable network environment.

Notes: 1. ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations): An organization for regional cooperation by 10 countries in Southeast Asia (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), aiming to promote social and cultural development and secure political and economical stability in the region. 2. APT (Asia-Pacific Telecommunity): As a regional organization specialized in telecommunications, APT was established in 1979 based on the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia & Pacific. Its Secretariat is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

From http://www.soumu.go.jp 08/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Broadcast Law Debate Heating Up

The Council on Information and Communications will launch a full-scale debate next month on a new law aimed at integrating the current nine laws on broadcasting and communications, and encouraging new players to participate and compete in the industry. But many twists and turns are expected before the panel, an advisory body to the internal affairs and communications minister, finalizes a report on its opinions on the new legislation, primarily because those to be affected have cautioned that the proposed move could strengthen government control of the information and communications industry. On Tuesday, representatives of a 700-member expert panel on administrative reform for the reconstruction of Japan heard the views of the broadcasting industry, which has expressed caution about the mooted legislation. The ministry is pushing to establish the information and communications law because it believes the current laws are outdated. It points out that the walls between broadcasting and communications technologies have been lowered, as demonstrated by the fact that TV programs can now be watched on personal computers or cell phones via the Internet.

The new law is aimed at redefining the currently divided regulations on broadcasting and communications into three categories: Program contents and other information; Fees and related systems; Communications networks and broadcasting facilities. The envisaged law is designed to broaden the scope of broadcasting and communications firms' activities by enabling them to better straddle the walls separating broadcasting and communications. It also will relax controls on program contents, thus encouraging new firms to participate and compete in the industry. The ministry plans to submit a bill for the new law to the ordinary Diet session in 2010, so it can be put into effect in 2011, when all TV broadcasts go digital. The council's special committee, which started looking into the issue in February, published an interim summary report in June on points of debate for reference in future discussions. The report paid heed to the position of those in the information and broadcasting industry who have expressed fears the move would lead to an expansion of administrative control over the industry. For example, outlining its basic stance on promoting the reexamination of a relevant legal system, the report says, "It is advisable to minimize controls."

Under the new law, information that could have a major social impact would be classified as a media service category subject to restrictions. But the summary report advanced a policy of limiting the scope of new restrictions to those currently involved in the broadcasting business. The summary report also limited the scope of restrictions on current broadcasters amid mounting concern that highly popular Web sites would be classified as a media service category subject to restrictions in light of their huge social impact. The broadcasting industry, however, has yet to dispel the anxieties of those in the industry. In response to the ministry's call for the public to submit their opinions on the summary report, the broadcasting industry submitted 46 out of the 80 replies received by the ministry. Most of them expressed opposition to or a cautious view of the new legislation. The industry's prevailing view is that revision of the current legal arrangements could result in administrative intervention in the industry, such as screening of the content of broadcasts on the pretext of limiting their perceived negative social impact. Some sectors of the industry have said their opposition to the proposed new regulations stems from their impression that the new restrictions are based on an ambiguous concept involving the regulation of matters in light of possible social impact. The Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association, for its part, declared in July that it feared the planned categorization of media services would lead to the imposition of new restrictions. The council's special committee will start hearing opinions from people in the broadcasting industry next month in an attempt to address the anxieties expressed over the new legislation. However, it remains to be seen whether the committee will be able to address all of the concerns expressed.

From Kyodo News 08/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Directive Concerning Advertisement on Mobile Phone Service

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) today issued a directive to EMOBILE Ltd. concerning advertisement on its mobile phone service. 1. Background (1) Mobile phone services constitute an integral part of our national life. Therefore, advertisements placed by mobile phone operators on their services should indicate the service content and the conditions for service provision in an easy-to-understand manner so that users will not be mislead and their interests are protected. (2) In March 2004, Voluntary Standards and Guidelines for Advertisement of Telecommunications Services was developed as a set of voluntary industry rules following discussions at the Liaison Meeting for Telecommunications Consumer Support, which was organized by MIC. An industry association, the Telecommunications Service Promotion Council, has since ensured the operation of the rules, and reviewed them in June 2007. (3) Even after the review, EMOBILE Ltd. placed advertisements on its mobile phones that may not have allowed users to gain a full understanding of the service content. 2. Details of the directive, etc. MIC directed EMOBILE Ltd. to be more attentive in ensuring that the advertisements it place provide easy-to-understand information that does not mislead users and use appropriate expressions. In the meantime, MIC called for the Telecommunications Carriers Association to publicize the directive to its member carriers. MIC also called for the Telecommunications Service Promotion Council to review the Voluntary Standards and Guidelines for Advertisement of Telecommunications Services and to study measures for preventing inappropriate advertisement. MIC will continue its efforts to protect user interests in regard to telecommunications services.

From http://www.soumu.go.jp 09/04/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Results of Public Comment Procedure on Draft MIC Instruction to Amend Part of the Examination Standards Relating to the Radio Law

From Friday, August 22 until Monday, September 22, 2008, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) invited public comment on a draft MIC instruction to amend part of the Examination Standards Relating to the Radio Law. As a result, it received five comments. MIC will promptly amend the Examination Standards Relating to the Radio Law by considering the results of the public comment procedure. 1. Background. In order to develop provisions in conjunction with the addition of exceptions to radio station operations and the introduction of femtocell base stations, MIC developed a draft MIC instruction to amend part of the Examination Standards Relating to the Radio Law (MIC Instruction No. 67 of January 6, 2001), and invited public comment thereon from August 22 until September 22, 2008. 2. Instruction to be amended Examination Standards Relating to the Radio Law.

From http://www.soumu.go.jp 09/30/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Results of Public Comment Procedure on Draft MIC Notice to Amend Part of MPT Notice for Specifying Details of Regulations for Telecommunications Numbers

From September 3 to October 3, 2008, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) invited public comment on the draft MIC notice to amend part of MPT Notice for Specifying Details of Regulations for Telecommunications Numbers (MPT Notice No. 574 of 1997). As MIC has received no comments, it will promptly amend the notice. Background of the amendment - The numbers for fixed telephones, etc. are decided by considering the municipal areas as stipulated in Article 9, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Regulations for Telecommunications Numbers (MPT Ordinance No. 82 of 1997). In conjunction with the municipal mergers in Gifu prefecture, which involved some areas in Nakatsugawa-shi (former Magome-chiku, Yamaguchi Mura), and in Chiba prefecture, which involved some areas in Asahi-shi (former Iioka-machi and Unakami-machi), MIC intends to change the areas for the relevant local exchange numbers. With this amendment, areas represented by such area codes will coincide with administrative districts, which will allow people living in the same administrative district to make a telephone call by using numbers without an area code.

From http://www.soumu.go.jp 10/09/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

SOUTH KOREA: Time for an IT Overhaul

A police investigation on Korea¡¯s second-largest oil refiner, GS Caltex, revealed that the private information of more than 11 million customers has been leaked. It is yet another incident in a ceaseless series of accidents and inconveniences on mobile phones and e-mails such as spam text messages, unlicensed loan advertisements, voice phishing and money stolen electronically from bank accounts. Even though Korea boasts of being the world¡¯s leading IT nation, with the world¡¯s highest rates of Internet and computer use, this debacle has confirmed yet again that Korea is one of the least developed nations in terms of Internet security. The suspects reportedly said they judged that the information was highly valuable, given that there are several legal claims against firms for damages resulting from the leak of private information going on. This is a major reason why 20-something staff members of the company would risk their promising futures to be involved in such a coordinated and systematic crime. The number of cases involving leaked information is building up. An e-commerce company, from which information about more than 10 million customers was stolen by a hacker, is currently tangled in a legal dispute with thousands of customers. A civic group is filing a complaint against 10 online companies charged with handing customer information over to other companies. Police have booked 20 staff members at a leading communications company on charges of giving information on millions of customers to a telemarketing company.

Civil lawsuits in all these cases are underway or scheduled. Companies that deal with online transactions involving millions of customers should overhaul their lackadaisical management styles and poor oversight of Internet security systems. A company that is eager to gather customer information to simplify work processes, but neglects its duties on the protection of private information should be held accountable. Companies should further strengthen ethics training programs for employees and examine their own security networks. The government should strengthen penalties for illegal spam advertisers. It should also promote legal measures to minimize gathering of private information and encourage the use of an alternative means to replace identification numbers. Privacy is a basic human right. In the Internet era, private information should be protected online as much as offline.

From http://joongangdaily.joins.com 09/08/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Gov't Unveils Massive New Infrastructure Plans

It could be seen as an alternative for the current administration's scuppered plan to build a cross-Korea canal. The idea is the same: to build infrastructure which will help the flow of commodities while invigorating local economies. The government announced plans to invest a total of W50 trillion (US$1=W1,113) in 30 state-run projects over the next five years, mainly building highways and railroads which will speed up travel between major cities. First there will be additional outer ring roads in Gyeonggi Province looping around the port city of Incheon, Paju, Yangpyeong, Osan and then back to Incheon. Another circular route will connect Gwangju, Daegu and Busan. There will also be six additional routes linking the country's eastern and western regions. New highways are expected to be added to connect Pyeongtaek and Hongseong on the west coast highway and Seoul to Sejong on the Gyeongbu highway, and on the Yeongdong highway a route will connect Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province to Wonju in Gangwon Province. Plans are underway to build new railways on the east coast linking Seoul with the Chungcheong provinces and more train routes within Jeolla provinces.

From http://english.chosun.com 09/16/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

FTC Plans Tougher Laws to Protect Online Shoppers

Consumer protection during online transactions will be strengthened, the Fair Trade Commission announced yesterday. The commission said that it is planning to legislate revisions to the current Electric Commerce Law by the end of this year to strengthen protection for customers when they use online auction and shopping sites like Gmarket or Auction. The new e-commerce law is expected to better identify sellers to prevent unnecessary confusion as well as prevent spam messages and false advertisements from getting to the customers. In order to provide accurate information on the seller, it will now be mandatory for the sites to provide the identification of the sellers to the customers. Before this, the sites need to clearly state to the online customers that they are responsible for the management between sellers and buyers and that the sites are not the sellers themselves. The sites will have to pay for any customer loss caused by incorrect information provided. Also, if an argument occurs between a seller and customer, the sites will have to cooperate with both parties to solve the argument. In an effort to prevent spam messages sent to customers, the FTC can now request the Korea Communications Commission or online shopping sites to provide information on companies that send out spam. If the FTC decides that a company has damaged consumers and deems that it will not stop with a first warning, it can order the company to close business operations.

From http://www.joongang.co.kr 09/18/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

INDONESIA: Charting the Direction of Indonesia¡¯s Government ICT Strategy

Currently, ICT is on the top of the agenda for the Indonesian government. Technology can serve as a critical enabler for poverty reduction, and for the achievement of our Millennium Development Goals, explains Kemal Stamboel, Vice Chairman, Executive Team, Indonesian National ICT Council. ICT has the potential to create earning opportunities and jobs for the country, improve the delivery of and access to basic services in healthcare and education, facilitate information sharing and knowledge creation, and increase the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of government, business, and civil society. Our strategic intent is to focus on ICT Development Roadmaps such as the Palapa Ring Fibre Optic Domestic Backbone Project, e-Procurement Implementation, National Single Window, e- Education Implementation, National Identification Number (NIN), Affordable Computer, Legal Software Implementation, and Internet Socialisation Campaign. But we cannot deliver all these through our own efforts. The government hopes to see more of the private sector involved in the development of ICT in Indonesia. The private sector is the key to sustainable growth, and the Indonesian government is highly committed to protecting the interests of good-willing investors, and to facilitate mutual business-to-business arrangements in order to develop critical entry point and to develop profitable business cases.

We want to realise mutually-beneficial ICT initiatives for the businesses and population at large. I understand that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is neither an industry-led nor a government-led initiative. It is a mechanism whereby all stakeholders can have a voice and contribute throughout all stages of the policy-making process as well as in implementation and evaluation. Human Resources for ICT The effectiveness of ICT in a society can only be attained if there are skilled human resources available to use the technology. With this in mind, human resource development with respect to citizens¡¯ capabilities of using ICT is a crucial component in the effective integration of ICT into society. Through our ICT Policy, the government seeks to build an ICT-driven nation revolving around the idea of a knowledge-based society. I firmly believe that the ICT Policy will allow the development of ICT infrastructure hence improving citizen¡¯s access to information.

This access to information, whatever its source, will be a critical springboard develop human resources with ICT knowledge, thus boosting the economy of our country, organisations, and families. Conclusion With the increasing need for inspired and inspiring employees and leaders, and the constant demand to be innovative, cutting-edge and different, it is obvious that the arts and business partnerships are here to stay. The future holds many exciting examples that will prove that two can work together not only to further each other¡¯s goals but also for the benefit of the society at large. Policies and regulations change very quickly. It is therefore important for foreign companies to keep themselves updated. Last year¡¯s knowledge might not be valid this year. It is also important to have connections with who know the system and are capable of speeding up the process. Public and private may explore several models such as government-to-government, industry-to-industry, and government-to-industry partnerships for developing the ICT industry. The government will provide full support to encourage the process. (by Alice Kok)

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 09/17/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

MALAYSIA: Government Lifts Block on Websites, Blogs

PUTRAJAYA (Bernama) - The government has lifted access restriction on websites and blogs, including "Malaysia Today" news portal, effective immediately, says Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor. Speaking to reporters at his office here, he said the move was decided by the cabinet at its weekly meeting Wednesday and aimed at encouraging the people to continue using the Internet and websites as a means to disseminate information. According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), there were 126 websites of which access were blocked from January until so far this year due to infringements of its regulation, including insulting religion and cheating consumers. Shaziman said that a committee comprising representatives of the MCMC, police, Attorney-General's Chambers and the Home Ministry would be set up to monitor websites, especially those with excessive, seditious and racially sensitive content. He said the government felt that the existing laws and regulations were sufficient and could be used against websites operators who undermine the country's peace and harmony. "The cabinet had also asked the Attorney-General's Chambers to speed up the prosecution of operators of websites which are seditious, inciting racial hatred or insulting any religion, if there are sufficient evidence to do so," he said. Shaziman said the government was aware that existing law such as the Sedition Act could be used against those who raise sensitive issues on the Internet. However, the action taken against them previously was a bit slow, he said. "Things like this needs a thorough investigation. In the United States, if a website publishes actionable content, within minutes the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) would come in and seize all equipment to secure evidence. "Maybe we can move towards that direction," he said.

From http://www.bernama.com/ 09/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

MSC Malaysia Begins New Chapter

KUALA LUMPUR: The MSC Malaysia initiative has entered a new chapter which promises more benefits not only for the country¡¯s IT players but also its citizens. Called the MSC 2.0, the Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) said it was time for the initiative to present its benefits to a wider scope of people and expand its outlook beyond just MSC status companies. "Many people have asked us ¡®what has MSC Malaysia done for me?¡¯ and it was always meant to benefit everyone," said MDeC chief executive officer, Datuk Badlisham Ghazali. MDeC is the custodian of the MSC Malaysia initiative. He was addressing the media on the outcome of the 20th MSC Malaysia Implementation Council Meeting at the sidelines of the MSC Malaysia-Pikom Export Forum last week. In its earlier phase, Badlisham said MSC Malaysia was too focused on developing ICT companies with little emphasis on how these ­solutions can be used. "The question is now on how we can match these solutions to meet the ICT needs of the industry and the people," he said. MSC Malaysia is now in the middle of its second phase and Badlisham said Malaysians will see more of its benefits reaching them this time around. He said MDeC will identify the citizens¡¯ needs and offer the proper solution out of a myriad of ICT solutions created by MSC-status companies. He added MDeC will come up with a roadmap to facilitate the ­rolling out of these solutions. The roadmap, he explained, will help it better identify the people¡¯s needs and offer the right solutions for those needs.

For everybody
Badlisham said the citizens have always benefited indirectly from the MSC Malaysia initiative. Taking the MyKad flagship ­application as an example, he said many just regarded it as a form of identification but the MSC Malaysia initiative has allowed it to be used as a token for farmers and ­fishermen to receive benefits from the Government. This, he said was done through a pilot project with the Agriculture Ministry to help create awareness among farmers and fisherman on how ICT can help them in their day-to-day business. Badlisham said that MSC Malaysia is looking to deliver the solutions to the people by 2010, which will mark the end of the second phase of the initiative. (by Jo Timbuong)

From http://star-techcentral.com/ 09/23/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

ICT Penetration in Malaysia

Yee Moh Chai, State Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology Datuk, Malaysia, said that the broadband penetration rate in Sabah is one of the country's lowest, at 11.9 per 100 household. State and federal governments have initiated several projects to enhance usage of information and communications technology (ICT), particularly among villagers in rural areas which includes project like: "e-Desa Kundasang" targeted at rural farmers in Kampung Bundu Tuhan. Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission have also implemented ICT-related community projects such as e-Community Centre in Kampung Sungai Damit, Tuaran; community broadband library in Kanibongan, Pitas; and community broadband centre in Kampung Sukau, Sandakan. These Community Broadband Centre was equipped with training facilities and a manager is engaged among the locals to run the centre. These ICT initiatives in the rural area show a positive development with regard to broadband use.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/13/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

PHILIPPINES: Lauding the Benefits of ITSM

KUALA LUMPUR: For Malaysian IT companies to stay competitive they must manage their services effectively and efficiently. The best way to do this is to adopt the industry¡¯s most proven concepts and methodologies in the area of Information Technology Service Management (ITSM), said a market analyst. Sudev Bangah, senior market analyst for IT research and consultancy company IDC, said: "Although ITSM does not have a universal definition, to us here at IDC it is a discipline of implementing processes and functions based on Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) norms." ITIL was started in the 1980¡¯s as a series of books intended to be a guide to IT management. The purpose was to provide a comprehensive set of guidelines for efficient and effective management of a company¡¯s IT infrastructure. There have been three versions so far, the latest of which was published in May 2007. Companies that implement ITSM through qualified ITIL trained staff can be certified under the internationally recognised standard of ISO/IEC 20000. This can help raise a company¡¯s standing within the industry and attract foreign companies and investors. "We believe ITSM is very important and we are putting a lot of effort into increasing the adoption of this practice," said the head of capability development department for MDeC, Dr Karl Ng. Ng said MDeC is now offering incentives for companies to become ITSM compliant. According to him, MDeC will cover 50% of the cost of training a company¡¯s IT staff to be ITIL proficient. "Although this looks like we are simply reducing an already existing cost, it is an important incentive so that companies are attracted and can take their first steps toward becoming ITSM compliant," Ng said. Bangah also believes that Malaysian companies must be more open to change and reforms to stay competitive. ITSM is an internationally proven discipline that can dramatically increase a company¡¯s efficiency and output, announced IDC. For more information, go to www.msc.com.my.

From http://star-techcentral.com/ 09/24/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Philippines Up in IT Competitiveness

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has improved its ranking slightly in the second edition of the IT Competitiveness index sponsored by the Business Software Alliance (BSA). The index is an assessment of the IT environments of 66 countries and indicates the extent to which the economies enable the IT sector to grow. As with the first edition of the study, the Philippines ranked tenth in Asia Pacific, moving up a notch from the previous year, but remained 47th overall. BSA vice president and regional director for Asia Pacific Jeffrey Hardee told reporters that the Philippines performed strongest in providing a favorable business environment, support for the IT industry, and human capital. However, it lacks legislation that will ensure at least minimal protection to stakeholders against such things as cybercrime and spam. There was also a noted weakness in the IT and telecommunications infrastructure, as well as innovation research. The Economic Intelligence Unit, which undertook the study for BSA, recommended that the Philippine government expand the talent pool for IT industries, support broadband growth, and refrain from dictating technology.

The analyst group also highlighted the need for the Philippine government to pass laws that would improve confidence in e-commerce, as well as encourage companies to patent significant gains in research and development. The study was completed about three months ago and was released the previous month, so the current financial crisis was not factored in. But the situation does not change the fact that a good environment for IT growth will translate to economic benefits down the line, according to Hardee. "In fact, now more than ever, governments should really think about how to improve their competitiveness to attract more of the investors in this environment," he said. Expectedly, the Philippines¡¯ mobile communications and outsourcing industries stood out as growth drivers, enabling the country to cope with global challenges despite inadequacies in other areas. Broadband penetration is very low at 1.3 to 100, but overall Internet usage was noted to be high. Internet users could reach 21.5 million at end-2008 and 50 million in 2015, the study said. (by Riza T. Olchondra)

From http://technology.inquirer.net/ 10/17/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

SINGAPORE: IDA Issues Call to Industry to Establish National Authentication Framework

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) today launched the National Authentication Framework (NAF) Call-For-Collaboration (CFC) for interested companies to submit their proposals. When appointed, in the first half of 2009, the selected CFC participants will implement a nationwide service that will offer consumers the enhanced security of two-factor (2FA) authentication without having to carry multiple devices as they do today with the various e-services they access. The CFC will seek Authentication Operators (AOs), who will provide 2FA services to Service Providers (SPs) such as those in Government, finance and healthcare. AOs can offer multiple authentication devices and methods, depending on market needs. Consumers may hold more than one authentication device (eg a security token or an SMS One-Time-Password). However, regardless of the device a consumer chooses to use, that chosen device can be used to access multiple online e-services that require strong authentication. The NAF is a key programme under IDA's 10-year Intelligent Nation Masterplan (iN2015) and aims to implement a secure and trusted enabling infrastructure needed to facilitate the delivery of online services offered by the public and private sectors.

In June 2008, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Lee Boon Yang, announced the plan to develop the NAF at the Infocomm Media Business Exchange or imbX. He said that the Government is prepared to invest up to S$20 million towards this initiative. The funding support will be performance based to encourage the deployment and adoption of the NAF infrastructure. The closing date for submission of bids for the NAF CFC is expected to be 12 December 2008. IDA expects to award the NAF CFC in the first half of 2009. New Regulatory Framework to Govern AOs IDA is currently reviewing a regulatory framework to regulate AOs. Such a framework would set the requirements such as security, confidentiality, reliability, service level standards and financial stability, which AOs will have to meet. A public consultation was held from 29 August 2008 to 21 September 2008 to seek feedback on the enactment of a legislative framework to regulate AOs in Singapore. IDA is currently reviewing the feedback, before issuing a decision on the final regulatory regime, which is expected to be enacted in tandem with the roll-out of the NAF infrastructure. IDA Chief Executive Officer RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay said: "The National Authentication Framework will offer a trusted and conducive platform for all to access online services from both the public and private sectors. Strong authentication is increasingly necessary as more e-services become available. For instance, with NAF, users can look forward to secure and trusted access to Next Generation Services, which could be available on the new all-fibre Next Gen National Broadband Network as early as 2010 onwards."

From http://www.ida.gov.sg/ 10/13/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Singapore Adopts Standard Terminology for EMR

Singapore is adopting a systemically organised collection of medical terminology for Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to improve quality, safety of care and enhanced care coordination. The Ministry of Health Holdings Ltd (MOHH), the holding company of Singapore¡¯s public hospitals and clinics, has become the first Asian member of the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO). Different clinicians often describe the same symptom or make the same diagnosis using different terms. For instance, a heart attack may also be called myocardial infarction. This has caused a lack of consistency, which hinders effective usage of EMR. SNOMED Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT), the standard that IHTSDO is developing and maintaining, contains more than 310,000 unique concepts and more than 1.3 million links or relationships between them. It covers most areas of clinical information, including diseases, diagnoses, procedures and medicine. SNOMED CT allows consistency in indexing, storing and retrieving clinical data across specialties and sites of care. It also helps reducing the variability in the way data is captured, encoded and used in the context of electronic medical records. MOHH will make SNOMED CT available throughout Singapore for use in EMR, health research, and other applications. Users of the terminology in the country will also have access to new resources as they are developed. Current developments include a multilingual workbench which hosts tools to develop, manage, and use the terminology. These include terminology editing, translation, mapping, and other applications. SNOMED CT is currently being used in more than 40 countries around the world. (by Jianggan Li)

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 10/30/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Single Character Domain Names Possible from Next Year in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Single character domain names such as www.a.sg and www.b.sg will be possible in Singapore come next year. The Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) will release single character domain names based on the 26 letters of the alphabet across all seven ".sg" categories, including .sg, .com.sg, .net.sg, .org.sg, .gov.sg, .edu.sg and .per.sg. Those keen on buying such domain names can start applying from December 1 with any of SGNIC's accredited registrars. Each domain name costs a hefty S$20,000. Applications will close on 9 January 2009. SGNIC said while registration is open to all businesses, organisations and individuals, registered trademark holders will have priority over other applicants during this period. But if there are many bidders, applicants will have to bid for the names with prices starting from S$20,000. More information is available at SGNIC's website. (By Satish Cheney)

From http://www.channelnewsasia.com/ 11/12/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

VIETNAM: Plan Schools IT Push

Vietnam¡¯s Ministry of Education has announced three major initiatives to boost the quality of school education in the country. The three targets revolved around encouraging the adoption of IT in the school environment, upgrading financial management systems, and improving the student experience. In those schools where IT is already well-established, there will be a "second wave" of modernisation, focused on e-learning, the use of databases and the creation of virtual libraries. The education IT push is part of the government¡¯s plans to spur the development of e-services. Free software will be used to administer timetables, the curriculum and students¡¯ academic performance. (by James Smith)

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 08/19/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

BANGLADESH: E-Registry of Business Laws on Cards

DHAKA: The Regulatory Reforms Commission (RRC) will propose setting up of an electronic registry of business laws and regulations to stop harassment of businesspeople and prospective investors in knowing about those. The Board of Investment (BoI) will maintain the electronic registry (e-registry), while there will be another registry on Bangladesh Government (BG) Press website, according to the RRC proposal. "Since prospective investors get exhausted to know the existing rules and regulations for starting any business in Bangladesh, our aim is to bring all the related information to a single place," Apurba Kumar Biswas, RRC chief executive officer (CEO), told The Daily Star yesterday. The RRC will submit the proposal to the Chief Adviser's Office after ratifying it at its next meeting on September 9, said RRC sources. The RRC, which was formed on October 30 last year to overhaul outdated administrative rules and regulations with specific focus on removing bottlenecks in investment, commerce and trade, found the business laws and regulations are scattered with different authorities. When someone wants to start any new business, he or she does not find related gazette or government circulars or statutory regulatory order, and needs to go to a number of government offices for those, the RRC CEO said. "It frustrates businesspeople to a great extent," he added. Conducting a study in April this year, International Finance Corporation-Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (IFC-BICF) submitted a report to the RRC on 'Design and establishment of an electronic registry for business law and regulations'. It will take three to four months to set up 'a fairly acceptable' e-registry primarily and later it can be developed further. The IFC-BICF's financial and technical assistance can be taken to help set up the registry, the RRC suggested. Although there were proposals to set up the e-registry under the law ministry, establishment ministry or the BoI, the RRC decided to set up it in BoI since the businesspeople are more involved with BoI.

From http://www.southasianmedia.net/ 09/02/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Bangladesh Cabinet Passes Right to Information Law

The advisory council of Bangladesh has given final approval to a new Right to Information Law 2008 to increase accountability of government institutions and establish good governance in the country. As per the ordinance the related officials supply primary information on issues including arrests and releases within 24 hours. The ordinance keeps a provision for fines up to Tk 5,000 if the concerned official does not provide the proper information. The cabinet on June 18 approved the ordinance provisionally. The ordinance is meant to ensure people's right to information and to increase accountability of government institutions and curb corruption and establish good governance.

From http://egovonline.net/ 09/22/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Government Eases FM Broadcast Norms to Push Growth

New Delhi: The Indian government Thursday eased the norms for FM radio operations to push the growth of the sector. "The cabinet today gave its approval to authorise the ministry of information and broadcasting to grant permission to FM broadcasting companies for creation of subsidiaries and mergers/demergers/amalgamations of companies by way of transfer of shares," Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said. "Private FM broadcasters are at present facing various difficulties. It (the revised norms) would give them financial flexibility and hence the growth of the FM industry could be protected," the minister added while briefing reporters here after a cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singth. Under the revised norms, no permission holder, whether with or without foreign investment, will be permitted to change the ownership pattern of the company through transfer of shares of the majority shareholders/promoters to any new shareholders without the written permission of the ministry. "This permission will not be granted for a period of five years from the date of operationalisation of the channel, subject to the condition that the new shareholders conform to all the prescribed eligibility criteria," the minister said. "However, requests for transfer of shares for creating a subsidiary company, amalgamation of companies of the same group, or de-merger of company would be allowed within the period of five years, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions," the minister added. The conditions are:

The majority shareholders/promoters would continue to remain as majority shareholders/promoters and together should hold at least 51 percent of the total shares; The new corporate entities would maintain their FDI component within the prescribed limit and would not violate the terms and conditions of the tender document and Grant of Permission Agreement; The new corporate entities should have a minimum prescribed net worth and adhere to all the terms and conditions of the tender document and the provisions of the agreement; The new company shall sign a fresh agreement with the government on identical terms and conditions - except on transferability of shares - for the remaining license period of the original company, * The transfer of shares would be permitted only once during the first five years from the date of operationalisation; No new tax regime will be designated to provide incentives to encourage creation of subsidiaries, mergers/demergers/amalgamations of FM broadcasting companies, and The Income Tax Act of 1961 Tax would govern the implications arising out of mergers/demergers/amalgamations.

From http://www.siliconindia.com/ 09/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

RBI Relaxes M-banking Norms, Raises Cap on Fund Transfers

MUMBAI: Now, you can leave home without your wallet and still make purchases up to Rs 10,000 through your mobile phone. Not just that, you will also be able to make utility-bill payments up to Rs 5,000 through your mobiles. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to relax its mobile-banking norms, and has raised the caps on fund transfers as well as mobile-based payments. Taking into account requests from banks and mobile payment-service providers, RBI has raised its transaction limit to Rs 5,000 per day for fund transfers. The regulator has also provided a cap of Rs 10,000 for purchases through the mobile. While the likes of ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank have already rolled out mobile-banking services, banks like State Bank of India and Axis Bank are also expected to roll out their mobile-banking services. RBI released its final operative guidelines for mobile banking on Wednesday, after it took into consideration the comments from participants on its second set of draft guidelines which it released on September 19. The major changes made were the increase in fund-transfer limits from Rs 2,500 a day to Rs 5,000 a day. Also, the central bank has said that it will consider relaxing the registration procedure for m-banking on a case-to-case basis, when banks apply for their licences. At present, banks are required to get a form signed by all their customers. The changes have been welcomed by industry players, who view it as a move which will make m-banking more practical and widen its scope as well. Sanjay Swamy, CEO of mobile payments provider mChek, said: "The increase in limits is a significant change, which shows RBI¡¯s intention of making the medium a universally acceptable payment tool."

Further, Vijay Balakrishnan, chief marketing office of Obopay India, said: "The relaxation in the registration process is a positive step since one needs to keep the customers¡¯ convenience in mind for new initiatives like these." Mobile-payment firms are also hopeful that the successful roll-out of m-banking products will enable RBI to relax its norms further. Dewang Neralla, director of Atom Technologies, said: "The enhanced per-day limit will give customers the flexibility to make multiple payments. We are also confident that RBI will increase this limit further once it takes off." Most of the other implications of the guidelines are the same as the draft guidelines. Banks will be able to extend the service to all their customers. RBI has also said that the long-term goal of the mobile-payment framework in India would be to enable fund transfers from an account in one bank to any other account in any bank on a real-time basis, irrespective of the mobile network the customer has subscribed to. At the same time, RBI has recommended that all mobile-banking transactions are validated through a two-factor authentication system, thereby complying with the latest security and encryption standards. The guidelines also recommend that banks do not compromise on their KYC and anti-money laundering guidelines. They will also be required to file suspicious transaction reports to the Financial Intelligence Unit for all mobile-banking transactions, as in the case of regular banking transactions. According to RBI, the number of mobile phone users in the country was at about 261 million by end-March this year, and it is growing at about eight million per month. Banks have been exploring the feasibility of using mobile phones as an alternative channel of delivery of banking services.

From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ 10/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

INDIA: Use Open Standard Technology to Counter Cyber Crime

Kolkata: To combat increasing cyber crime, a West Bengal minister has asked organisations and individuals to use open standard technology here Saturday. "There should be more use of open standards. Everybody should use the software in their own computers that will help them track the hacking source," the state's Information Technology Minister Debesh Das said. He was speaking at a seminar on cyber security organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Kolkata Commissioner of Police Gautam Mohan Chakrabarti said: "The nature of crime happening in the society has changed. It has shifted from physical crime to cyber crime and it is much more difficult to handle. The next decade is going to see more cyber crimes." He said to counter cyber crimes it is necessary that departments and individuals are well equipped. Chakrabarti requested the government to form an advisory group with best IT talent for interaction with the Kolkata police. Besides he also requested for some training programs by the industry players for members of cyber crime offices to fight the crime better.

From http://www.siliconindia.com/ 10/20/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Unique Identity Number for All Residents of India by Early 2010

An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGOM) headed by the External Affairs Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherji recently, approved the establishment of a Unique Identity Authority for all residents of the country. The modalities of collation of the Unique Identity (UID) scheme has also been approved by the EGOM. The National Population Register proposed to be created by the Home Ministry through the Registrar General of the Census of India concurrently with the census 2011 in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Citizenship Act. EGOM approved UID Authority will be responsible for creating and maintaining the core database and to lay down all necessary procedures for issuance and usage of UID including arrangements for collection, validation and authentication of information, proper security of data, rules for sharing and access to information, safeguards to ensure adequate protection of privacy and all aspects related to all of these issues. Any agency, public or private, which deals with individuals and incorporates the UID number of each such individual in its databases, will be able to share information with other agencies which do likewise.

It has been decided that at the inception, the UID number will be assigned to all voters by building on current electoral roll data and progressively adding other persons including persons below 18 years of age who are not a part of the voters list in the country. Over a period of time, through failsafe procedures backed by intensive use of technology and with the help of multiple government agencies, the currency and comprehensiveness of the database will be perfected. The scheme is designed to leverage intensive usage of the UID for multiple purposes to provide an efficient and convenient mechanism to update information. Photographs and biometric data will be added progressively to make the identification foolproof. Easy registration and information change procedures are envisaged for the benefit of the people.

The Unique Identity Project seeks to assign a unique identity (UID) number to each individual in the country that would remain a permanent identifier right from birth to death of the individual. From the point of view of any person in the country, the UID offers many benefits. First and foremost, it would obviate the need for a person to produce multiple documentary proofs of his identity for availing of any government service, or private services like opening of a bank account, etc. This would end needless harassment that people face for availing of basic government services like issuance of passports, driving licences, Electoral Identity Cards, etc. Backed by intensive use of technology, it would greatly facilitate easy verification of a person's identity and enable a single communication to trigger address changes in all relevant agencies records. It would also serve as the basis for many e-governance services incorporating online verification of a person's identity. UID would enable government to ensure that benefits under various welfare programmes reach the intended beneficiaries, prevent cornering of benefits by a few people and minimize frauds. It would enable financial institutions to exchange information regarding defaulters and encourage responsible borrower behaviour.

It is further expected that usage of UID will be progressively extended to various government programmes and regulatory agencies, as well as private sector agencies in the banking, financial services, mobile telephony and other such areas. Over a period of time, the UID is expected to become the single universal identification mechanism across all institutions of the government and the private sector in the country. The UID is expected to become available to an initial set of users by early 2010.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

AFGHANISTAN: Ministry of Education and Ministry of Communication and IT Launch the One Laptop Per Child Project in Partnership with Roshan and ASMED

The Ministry of Education (MoE), and Ministry of onel.JPGCommunication and Information Technology (MoCIT), in a unique public-private partnership with USAID¡¯s Afghanistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED) and Roshan, today announced the launch of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project in Afghanistan. The OLPC project is a computer literacy and e-learning program designed to increase educational opportunities for the youth of Afghanistan and improve the country¡¯s information technology infrastructure. The first phase of this project, which will include the design, manufacturing and distribution of 5,800 low cost laptop computers, will reach hundreds of thousands of students in over 188 schools in Kabul City and across the country. The internationally recognized OLPC program has already been successfully implemented in numerous countries including Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Uruguay and Ethiopia.

The laptops are designed, manufactured and distributed throughout the world by the OLPC Foundation, a US non-profit organization. The OLPC Foundation considers computers to be a critical tool in eradicating poverty and has contributed 5,000 of the laptops to this public-private partnership in Afghanistan. The MoE and MoCIT are the government institutions tasked with improving education and the information technology (ICT) sectors. They work to, collectively embed communication technology in the education sectors and establish platforms to transform Afghan society into information based society. The machines will be distributed to schools by the MoE and will be equipped with digitized content of current textbooks, the Holy Quran, a library and Web content. The MoCIT will be responsible for ensuring the quality of the localization of electronic content, as well as the implemented technologies. H. E. Eng.

A. Sangin Minister of Communications and Information Technology said "Internet and Computers has brought revolution in the area of information sharing and access, with the penetration of these technologies in Afghan Society, we will become part of the globalization" He added. "MCIT in the last five years has laid a reasonable telecom infrastructure, ready to host the e-applications; MCIT¡¯s future focus is to promote the use of ICT in different sectors of the country and today we are witnessing the cooperation with the education sector through signing this MoU and introducing the One Laptop Per Child program in Afghanistan, which will enable our child and youth learn and enjoy the blessings of new technologies." "This initiative represents a new era of modernization for the education system of Afghanistan. It provides our children the opportunity to connect to the wider world and learn in a modern way," said Mohammad Haneef Atmar, The Minister of Education.

This unique initiative brings a new era to the modernization of the education system in Afghanistan and provides our children the opportunity to reduce the digital gap with the rest of the world and learn in a modern way," said Mohammad Haneef Atmar, The Minister of Education. "Roshan continues to be committed to improving the quality of education and investments in Afghan communities and we are honored to participate in this effort to empower children to educate themselves through technology. This will enable Afghan¡¯s new generation to be better prepared to tackle peace building, poverty, malnutrition and disease challenges in the country," said Karim Khoja, Chief Executive Officer, Roshan. Roshan has assisted in facilitating the OLPC donation for the project and will also donate 800 laptops to the project, as well as provide project management support. In addition to supplying internet connectivity, the company will support and counsel installation teams responsible for the implementation of networking infrastructure.

The company often partners with government bodies for various social program efforts and has donated resources to school construction, computer labs and playground construction with the MoE over the past three years. USAID is providing financial support of $300,000 USD for deployment of the laptops to schools all around Afghanistan and to develop and maximize the economic and social impact of the project. "USAID is delighted to partner with both the private sector and the Government of Afghanistan to bring innovation and computer literacy to the youth of Afghanistan. Through improved access to communications and technology we aim to create not only educational but also economic opportunities, and we are pleased to support the Ministry and the OLPC Foundation in its goal of One Laptop per Child" said Bryan Rhodes, Chief of Party for ASMED, USAID¡¯s Small and Medium Enterprise Development project.

From http://www.mcit.gov.af/ 09/13/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

MCIT Signs a Contract for the Second Phase of Extending Copper Cables in the Country

Today on Sunday, November 16, 2008 Ministry of Communications and IT signed a contract with ASTER-INDIA in the conference room of the Ministry for the second phase to facilitate the copper cable for landline phones for more major cities in the country. H. E. Eng. Barialai Hassam Deputy Minister Technical while signing the contract with the mentioned company said that MCIT is committed to providing better services to the people of Afghanistan and for this purpose, MCIT provides the people of Afghanistan with phone (Landline and CDMA). or this purpose, in the second phase of this project MCIT plans to provide the residents of the Khost, Ghazni, Farah, Baghlan, Takhar and Pul-e-Khumir provinces with Landline and CDMA phones. The contract was awarded to ASTER-INDIA after passing a transparent bidding process to equip the above mentioned provinces with copper cable. H. E. Deputy Minister Technical added that based on the demand of the residents of the above mentioned areas, Ministry of Communications and IT considered this issue serious and signed the contract for extending the five thousands landlines for Khost, Ghazni and Farah and two thousands lines for Baghlan, Takhar and Pul-e-Khumri provinces. H. E. also underlined that the copper cable project costs 8.3 million USD and the money will be provided through developmental budget of the Ministry. It is worth mentioning to say that Ministry of Communications and IT has already extended two hundred thousands lines in its first phase so that the customers can have access to Internet and Fax as well as Videoconference.

From http://www.mcit.gov.af/ 11/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

AUSTRALIA: Broadband Roadshow Rolls into Darwin

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today encouraged people from Darwin to attend a free event on how the Australian Government is improving access to broadband. The Australian Government is committed to ensure that all Australians enjoy the benefits of broadband services, no matter where they live, Senator Conroy said. This roadshow is a great opportunity for the people of Darwin and the surrounding regions, particularly small businesses and Indigenous Community Councils, to meet representatives from my Department and discuss their individual situation one-on-one.The Australian Telecommunications Users Group (ATUG) is holding a free reception as part of its 2008 Regional Roadshow on Monday 8 September at the Novotel Atrium, from 5 pm to 7 pm. RSVP to patrick.sinclair@atug.org.au or call 02 9495 8905. Representatives from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy are attending to provide information and advice on the Australian Broadband Guarantee, Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme, Do Not Call Register and e-security.

People can find out about Australian Government initiatives and use the Governments online Broadband Service Locator which determines what broadband services are available to any household in Australia, Senator Conroy said. If they are unable to access a broadband service, they may be eligible for a subsidised service through the Australian Broadband Guarantee program, Senator Conroy said. The Australian Broadband Guarantee provides broadband access to Australian households and small businesses that are unable to access metro-comparable services. In the last Budget the Rudd Government allocated the program $270.7 million over the next four years. The Australian Government has also committed to invest up to $4.7 billion in a National Broadband Network (NBN) covering 98 per cent of homes and businesses. Enhanced services will also be made available for the most remote 2 per cent that may not be covered by the NBN. Residents of Darwin and the surrounding regions who are unable to attend the reception can find out more information about the Australian Broadband Guarantee at www.dbcde.gov.au/abg or by phone 1800 883 488 (free call).

From http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/ 09/05/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Broadband Roadshow Rolls into Kununurra

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today encouraged people from the Kununurra region to attend a free event to find out how the Australian Government is improving access to broadband. "The Australian Government is committed to ensure that all Australians enjoy the benefits of broadband services, no matter where they live," Senator Conroy said. "This roadshow is a great opportunity for the people of Kununurra and the region to meet representatives from my Department and discuss their individual situation one-on-one." The Australian Telecommunications Users Group (ATUG) is holding the free event as part of its 2008 Regional Roadshow on Tuesday 9 September at the Kununurra Shopping Centre from 11:30am to 4:30pm. Representatives from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy are attending to provide information and advice on the Australian Broadband Guarantee, Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme, Do Not Call Register and e-security.

"People can find out about Australian Government initiatives and use the Governments online Broadband Service Locator which determines what broadband services are available to any household in Australia," Senator Conroy said. "If they are unable to access a broadband service, they may be eligible for a subsidised service through the Australian Broadband Guarantee program," Senator Conroy said. The Australian Broadband Guarantee provides broadband access to Australian households and small businesses that are unable to access metro-comparable services. In the last Budget the Rudd Government allocated the program $270.7 million over the next four years. The Australian Government has also committed to invest up to $4.7 billion in a National Broadband Network (NBN) covering 98% of homes and businesses. Enhanced services will also be made available for the most remote 2% that may not be covered by the NBN. Kununurra will be the fifth town of the 2008 Regional Roadshow it has already travelled to Orange, Kingaroy, Toowoomba and Geraldton. Residents of Kununurra and the surrounding regions who are unable to attend the roadshow can find out more information about the Australian Broadband Guarantee at www.dbcde.gov.au/abg or by phone 1800 883 488 (free call).

From http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/ 09/05/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Industry Business & Government Drive Digital Economy Future in Australia

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today met with industry and business leaders to drive the vision for Australia's future in the global digital economy. "We need to position now for Australia to realise the full benefits from the Governments infrastructure and other digital economy investments, and realise our ambition to become one of the worlds leading digital economies," Senator Conroy said. "Like industrialisation, the digital economy is providing benefits across society. We know that the digital economy must underpin Australia's future economic progress." "Today a consensus emerged on the need to collaborate to develop a road map for the future of the digital economy in Australia."

Senator Conroy chaired the Digital Economy Forum in Melbourne, where he announced a Future Directions Paper to be produced in collaboration with industry, business and other stakeholders. The paper will be published early next year. Today's forum was preceded by three workshops, focused on capabilities, confidence and content, to consider likely developments and establish aspirations for Australia's digital economy over the next five years. "The Government is determined to increase effective use of the internet by consumers and all businesses to drive higher productivity growth and community participation in the digital economy. We need to consider now the potential business models, social and economic challenges, skills and capacity requirements to meet our objective," Senator Conroy said. "The workshops and this forum provided a valuable opportunity for a range of stakeholders to be heard, and to contribute to the future directions of the digital economy," Senator Conroy said.

From http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/ 09/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Broadband Roadshow Rolls into South Australia

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today encouraged regional South Australians to attend free events on how the Australian Government is improving access to broadband. "The Australian Government is committed to ensure that all Australians enjoy the benefits of broadband services, no matter where they live," Senator Conroy said. "This roadshow is a great opportunity for the people of South Australia, particularly small businesses, to meet representatives from my Department and discuss their individual situation one-on-one."

The Australian Telecommunications Users Group (ATUG) is holding the following free events:
Naracoorte, Tuesday 21 October, reception at Settlers Cafe from 6pm to 8pm
Naracoorte, Wednesday 22 October, information session at Naracoorte Public Library, 9.30am to 1.30pm
Mt Barker, Thursday 23 October, reception at Auchendarroch House, from 7:15am to 9am
Blythe, Thursday 23 October, reception and expo at the Blyth Cinema/Town Hall, from 6pm to 8pm
Burra, Friday 24 October, Burra Business Breakfast at the Burra Visitor Information Centre, Market Square, from 7:00am to 8.45am.
Clare, Friday 24 October, information session at the Clare Valley Public Library 11am to 2pm
RSVP to patrick.sinclair@atug.org.au or call 02 9495 8905.

Representatives from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy are attending to provide information and advice on the Australian Broadband Guarantee, Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme, Do Not Call Register and e-security. "People can find out about Australian Government initiatives and use the Governments online Broadband Service Locator, which determines what broadband services are available to any household in Australia," Senator Conroy said. "If they are unable to access a broadband service, they may be eligible for a subsidised service through the Australian Broadband Guarantee program," Senator Conroy said. The Australian Broadband Guarantee provides all Australian households and small businesses with access to a broadband service that reasonably compares to broadband services (in terms of price, speed and data usage) available in metropolitan areas.

"In the last Budget the Australian Government allocated the program $270.7 million over the next four years," Senator Conroy said. "The Australian Government has also committed to invest up to $4.7 billion in a National Broadband Network (NBN) covering 98 per cent of homes and businesses. Enhanced services will also be made available for the most remote two per cent that may not be covered by the NBN." People who are unable to make the receptions and information sessions can find out more information about the Australian Broadband Guarantee at www.dbcde.gov.au/abg or by phone 1800 883 488 (free call).

From http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/10/15/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Measures to Ensure Strong and Independent National Broadcasters

The Rudd Government today announced a public consultation and new board appointment processes to ensure the future strength and independence of Australia's national broadcasters. "For the next two months, the Australian public will have its say on how the ABC and SBS are positioned for the next decade," the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said. "The ABC and the SBS are two of Australia's most important and loved public institutions. They have entertained, educated and informed generations of Australians. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure their future strength and independence." The Government has released a discussion paper, ABC and SBS: Towards a Digital Future, canvassing some of the key issues facing the two broadcasters during the next decade. "Australians are passionate about their national broadcasters and I expect there to be some strong views about ensuring the ABC and SBS are well placed to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the emerging digital, online and global media environment," Senator Conroy said.

The Rudd Government will also restore independence to the ABC and SBS Boards. The Government is today calling for applications from Australians to fill four vacancies on the Boards. Applications will be assessed on merit by a Nomination Panel established at arms-length from the Minister. "For too long the process of appointing directors to the ABC and SBS Boards has been open to political interference. It is time to restore independence," Senator Conroy said. "The new selection process will ensure that all future appointments to the ABC and SBS Boards are conducted in a manner that fosters independence, transparency, accountability and public confidence." The Government will also reinstate the position of staff-elected director on the ABC Board. "The position of staff-elected Director makes an important contribution to the ABC's independence by providing the Board with a unique and important insight into ABC operations," Senator Conroy said.

Discussions on the future of the national broadcasters formed part of the agenda at the Australia 2020 Summit, held in Canberra in April 2008. The Rudd Government now wants to extend that dialogue to the wider Australia community. The outcomes of the public consultation will be considered by the Government ahead of the next three-year funding round for national broadcasters, which commences in July 2009. The outcomes will also contribute to policy decisions for the long-term future of national broadcasting.

From http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/ 10/16/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Conroy Sets Digital TV Switchover Timetable

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today released the timetable for the switchover to digital television. "The digital TV revolution is in full swing and Australians now know when they will need to be digital-ready," Senator Conroy said. "The digital television switchover is a challenge on the scale of the 1966 decimal currency change. The Rudd Government's region-by-region approach will ensure Australia is best placed to meet the 31 December 2013 deadline for analog switch-off." The Victorian region surrounding Mildura, which leads the nation with digital TV take-up, will lead with analog switch-off in the first half of 2010. Under this timetable analog broadcasting will cease in the Mildura/Sunraysia district in a window between 1 January and 30 June 2010.

"The regional broadcasting licence covering the Sunraysia district in northern Victoria has the highest penetration of digital TV in Australia, at over 70 per cent of homes, so it makes sense to start there," Senator Conroy said. "This particular community is already well informed about the benefits of digital TV after the third commercial network entered the market in 2006 and drove take-up with digital-only broadcasts." "Depending on local conditions and community feedback I will set the final date within the switch-off window next year. Importantly people in this community now have plenty of notice to be digital-ready." "The Digital Switchover Taskforce will be working with broadcasters, retailers, antenna installers and the wider Sunraysia community throughout 2009 to ensure information is available to assist people to join the digital TV revolution," Senator Conroy said.

The Taskforce is developing an extensive labelling scheme for digital-ready TV equipment and services and will launch a communication campaign to raise awareness of the label to assist consumers early next year. Broken Hill in NSW and Mt Gambier, Riverland and Spencer Gulf in South Australia will turn off analog broadcasts in the second half on 2010 and the rest of regional Victoria in the first half of 2011. Regional Queensland, excluding remote western and northern areas, will switch-off analog in the second half of 2011. The major regional centres of NSW will switch-off analog in 2012. Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Perth and Tasmania will switch-off analog in the first half of 2013 and Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, remote western, central and eastern Australia will be digital-only by the end of 2013.

"After years of inaction by the previous Government, the Rudd Government has made a firm commitment to digital television switchover and is taking practical action to ensure a smooth transition," Senator Conroy said. Digital switchover is important for all Australians as it not only provides access to such things as better picture and sound quality and additional channels but it will also free-up spectrum which can be used for the delivery of new and improved broadcasting and communications services.

From http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au 10/19/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

$500,000 for Electronic Development Assessment in the ACT

Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, today announced $500,000 in Australian Government funding to help bring builders and developers in the ACT one step closer to full electronic development assessments (eDAs). Ms Plibersek has allocated $30 million to roll-out eDAs across the nation as part of the Rudd Government's $512 million Housing Affordability Fund. The eDAs will cut the red tape associated with lodging a development assessment application and streamline the assessment process. Today's announcement will enable the ACT to develop end-to-end eDA processes which allow lodgement, tracking, referral and determination of applications to be performed electronically. Development of a common protocol will help to ensure that different software systems, built by different vendors across different jurisdictions, will be kept broadly compatible.

"The Rudd Government is committed to seeing States and Territories reform their development application systems and believes it is important to help them work together to develop eDA in their jurisdictions," Ms Plibersek said. "By moving towards a national framework, the Government is doing its part to ensure that all affected parties move to electronic systems that 'talk to each other' in the most efficient manner possible. "I am also pleased that the ACT is the first jurisdiction to receive funding to implement new projects under the eDA initiative. This means that home buyers in the ACT will benefit from a quicker, more accessible and user-friendly development assessment process. "By lowering costs for builders and developers, this program will pass on savings to home buyers."

The Housing Affordability Fund is a Rudd Government initiative that invests $512 million over five years to target the planning and infrastructure costs that are incurred when building new housing developments. The Government is also developing the electronic development assessment interoperability specifications (eDAIS), which will ensure a common protocol across States and Territories for the electronic lodgement of planning and development assessments. The Government has contracted the ACT Planning and Land Authority to upgrade the ACT's existing planning systems to ensure it is consistent with eDAIS.

From http://www.fahcsia.gov.au 10/22/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Mobile Premium Services Code

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, welcomed new draft rules aiming for a better deal for consumers of mobile premium services. "Mobile premium services are often the source of significant consumer frustration. Consumers have the right to expect a fair deal and I welcome efforts by industry to provide them with improved safeguards and better information," Senator Conroy said. "A new draft industry code is now available for consultation and I encourage consumers, industry bodies, and other interested parties to respond and contribute to the future mobile premium services regulatory framework." "Industry should also be congratulated for the launch of the new 19SMS (www.19sms.com.au) web site, which aims to help consumers make informed choices about premium mobile services."

Mobile premium services are optional services such as ringtone downloads, competitions and news updates, which often cost more than a standard SMS, MMS or phone call. The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman received nearly 14,000 complaints about mobile premium services during 2007/08. "Companies in this area need to lift their game and I welcome their efforts to do this with the new mobile premium services consumer protection code," Senator Conroy said. The draft code, released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, was developed by the industry body Communications Alliance, in consultation with consumer groups and other key stakeholders. The draft code is available from the Communications Alliance web site (www.commsalliance.com.au) together with advice on how to lodge a submission. The closing date for submissions is Friday 12 December.

From http://www.alp.org.au/ 11/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

NEW ZEALAND: $5.8 Million for Innovative, Grassroots ICT Projects

"The 2008 / 2009 funding round of the Community Partnership Fund will open on 6 October 2008 and the government looks forward to receiving applications," said Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Ruth Dyson. The new Digital Strategy 2.0 allocated $5.8 million dollars to fund innovative, community-based information and communication technology (ICT) projects through the Community Partnership Fund (CPF) which provides funding for projects that focus on building ICT skills and capability within New Zealand¡¯s communities. "The Community Partnership Fund has allocated funds to foster development of internet based ideas. One such proposal was to assist children to surf the internet safely by developing an educational tool called Hector's World," said Ms Dyson.

"This tool can now be used in classrooms and homes and is a great example of the funding exceptional ideas. By supporting grassroots ICT initiatives, the government is actively assisting communities throughout New Zealand. Since 2005, the Community Partnership Fund has provided funding to over 100 community-driven ICT projects across the country. "The Government has so far provided $17.4 million through the Community Partnership Fund while over $30 million was contributed from communities, businesses and local government," said Ms Dyson.

"We must also tackle issues of geographic isolation, fear of new technologies and ignorance of ICT¡¯s benefits. The Community Partnership Fund is an excellent example of business, government and community working collaboratively to overcome many of these issues," said Ms Dyson. Projects that receive funding are community-driven and have partners that provide financial or 'in-kind' contributions that match or exceed the funding applied for. Projects must be sustainable after funding from the Community Partnership Fund ceases.

From http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ 08/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Next Phase of Broadcasting Review Announced

Broadcasting Minister Trevor Mallard and Communications and Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe today announced the next steps in a comprehensive review of regulations covering broadcast, telecommunications and internet media. The Regulatory Review of Digital Broadcasting looks at whether the current regulatory regime for broadcasting and related sectors needs changing given the increasing convergence between broadcasting, telecommunications and the internet. Public consultation on a discussion document has been held to scope initial views on key issues. The ministers today released the Cabinet paper summarising the results of that consultation, and announced the next phase of work.

"Digitisation and increasing convergence between broadcasting, telecommunications and the internet are causing profound changes to the ways in which people access and use broadcasting-like content. We need to ensure that our regulatory regime is both current and ¡®future-proofed¡¯ to serve the evolving broadcasting markets and to also meet the shifting needs and expectations of New Zealand communities," Trevor Mallard said. "The initial phase of public consultation crystallized the key issues which now need further scoping and exploration. We have therefore agreed to a significant programme of work to look at the options for tackling the problems that have been identified (see summary of key issues below)," David Cunliffe said.

The new work covers the following areas:
• a review of the current institutional arrangements for regulation of broadcasting and telecommunications, looking at two options: a) single regulatory body or (b) two converged regulators: one dealing with content issues and the other dealing with network issues.
• a competition study to review and address issues around access to premium content (such as sports events of national significance) and access for broadcasters to networks and platforms.
• analysis and development of options for enhancing public service broadcasting including diversity of, and access to local content (eg whether all free-to-air channels should be available on both pay and free-to-air digital platforms), and content standards. Some new media (like internet) are not subject to the same content standards as for example free to air television and radio broadcasters. The next phase of the review will look at options to improve that situation for broadcasting-like content, without stifling the freedom of expression and innovation new technologies can foster.
• other work includes looking at levels of captioning and other possible enhancements for the hearing- and sight-impaired; media literacy; post-analogue-switch-off spectrum policy; and investigation of options for the release of broadcast content that is currently ¡®locked up¡¯ because rights holders cannot be identified and/or found.

"The Labour-led government recognises the importance of having a strong public broadcasting presence, including diverse local content which meets the needs of all of our communities. It's important for our culture and for our national identity. This is also an incredibly complex area. This is why it is vitally important that we get the regulatory framework right through more in depth work rather than rushing any changes," the ministers said. Following this work, any proposed amendments to the current arrangements will be subject to consultation with stakeholders and with the public. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Ministry of Economic Development will carry out the work with a report back to Cabinet by 31 August 2009. Background information - including a summary of the work programme - follows. Further information, including the Cabinet report-back, is at www.mch.govt.nz and at www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz.

From http://www.beehive.govt.nz 09/23/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Government Buckles Over Copyright Act Amendment

The government has bowed to unprecedented ICT industry pressure, announcing a four-month moratorium on Section 92A of its new Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act. Communications minister David Cunliffe revealed the back-down during the InternetNZ TVNZ7 Internet Debate held on Tuesday night, saying the delay would give the industry and content providers time to come up with an alternative approach to controlling copyright on the internet. He revealed more of that decision last night during the Open Source Awards in Wellington, saying he had suggested the moratorium to Judith Tizard, who was in charge of the Bill, and hinted that the change of heart followed an unprecedented show of unity from ICT industry groups. Last week, the Telecommunications Carriers' Forum, InternetNZ, the Internet Service Providers Association of New Zealand, the Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand, the New Zealand Computer Society, and Women in Technology all demanded that Section 92A be scrapped in a combined release that went on to receive considerable media coverage.

The industry said that "hastily inserted last-minute changes" to the Act would significantly undermine the legal rights of internet users and put the onus of policing copyright breaches unfairly onto ISPs. Under Section 92A, ISPs are required to disconnect "in appropriate circumstances" the internet services of users who repeatedly infringe copyright by downloading or uploading music, movies, games and other copyrighted material. Telecommunications Carriers' Forum chief executive Ralph Chivers says he first heard of the moratorium from Judith Tizard during the Digital Development Forum on Tuesday. "We are obviously very pleased the government has delayed implementation of the section," he told IT Brief. He says work on developing an alternative to Section 92A would begin with a meeting tomorrow with music, movie and performance representative bodies, APRA, RIANZ and NZFACT.

From http://www.itbrief.co.nz/ 09/25/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Valuable Funding for Community-Driven ICT Projects

The 2008/09 funding round of the Community Partnership Fund (CPF) is now open for people seeking to launch innovative grassroots Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives. Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Ruth Dyson says community-based ICT projects are essential if New Zealand is to become a leader in the digital world. "The $5.8 million dollars allocated through the new Digital Strategy 2.0 for the CPF will help us reach our goal of creating a prosperous, sustainable and vibrant society," said Ruth Dyson. "The Government has an important role to play in supporting communities in the digital world. To fulfil this role we face some significant challenges. We have to ensure that the digital world is open to everyone and that includes those living in rural or isolated areas, those on lower incomes and disabled people. Whether you are a young child or a savvy senior, we must all be part of our nation's digital journey."

"If New Zealand is to become a leader in the digital world, our communities have a vital role to play," said Ruth Dyson. Since 2005, the CPF has provided $17.4 million to over 100 community-driven ICT projects. Partnerships between community, local government, businesses and government have brought further contributions of over $30 million to complete CPF projects. This year, as well as supporting new projects, the CPF will help existing projects link up, expand into new areas and regions, or develop new uses. The CPF is an excellent example of communities, government and businesses working together to achieve practical results. The 2008/09 funding round of the CPF opens today. Further information is available at www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz.

From http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ 10/06/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Key Promises $150m for School Broadband

Just days from the election, National Party leader John Key has continued to drip-feed policy announcements including a promise today to invest $150 million over the next three years to ensure schools make the most of ultra-fast broadband. Key made the announcement during a hustings visit to Clover Park Middle School and the Computer Clubhouse in Otara. He said, "Clover Park is a computer-savvy school that makes the most of ultra-fast broadband. Pupils here are being equipped for tomorrow with 21st century skills and the use of cutting-edge information technology. "I want all New Zealand schools to be able to provide amazing learning environments like these for their pupils. A National-led Government will back schools to make sure they can." He added that when fibre is run into schools, he wants to ensure "they're ready to light the information and communication technologies match" and promised to invest $150 million to improve schools' internal broadband networks and make them 'fibre-ready'.

This is on top of his previous election promise to invest up to $1.5 billion to accelerate the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband to 75 per cent of New Zealanders with schools slated as a priority. Funding for the initiative will come from National's Infrastructure Building Plan, which allows for $8.6 billion of new capital for new infrastructure projects over the next six years. Labour has been quick to respond, with communications minister David Cunliffe labelling the National leader as "Johnny "come lately" Key" for making the announcement so close to Election Day. "Three days before an election, Johnny come lately Key has finally discovered the importance of IT for our schools," Cunliffe crowed in a press release.

"In the Budget we committed to investing $200 million dollars over the next five years for all schools. This includes $40 million in the Broadband Investment Fund rollout and a further $163 million in redirected baseline spending." He then went on to list numerous Government broadband achievements since 2002, before saying: "National after years of neglect - while condoning Telecom's monopoly - starved schools of IT infrastructure. Johnny "come lately" Key discovering broadband three days before an election is a laughable failure in the investment for our kids' future."

From http://www.itbrief.co.nz/ 11/05/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

The EU Commissioner and Commission's Vice-President Mr. Siim Kallas announced today (18 September 2008) the launch of the helpdesk service for eProcurement demonstrators. Mr. Kallas was speaking at the conference on cross-border use of eSignature in eProcurement. This helpdesk targets ePocurement practitioners who are interested in developing or improving their eProcurement systems. It provides assistance in using the eProcurement learning demonstrators, ready-to-use software applications which have been created to help public administrations in Europe to set up their eProcurement system along the lines of the EU legislation.

The eProcurement learning demonstrators simulate functional requirements for public procurement systems based on the Public Procurement Directives and give a look and feel of how such systems could look like. They have the facility to be multilingual and can be easily translated into other languages. On the other hand, the demonstrators are not off-the-shelf software and their adaptation and customisation is needed. The demonstrators are developed in Open Source and are freely available under the European Union Public Licence. A new updated version of the eProcurement demonstrators is being prepared at the present and it will be available as from mid-November 2008.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 09/18/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

eGov-Share to Lower Barriers in European eGovernment

In recent years, many eGovernment programmes have been launched. In Europe, these programmes serve administrations and companies, and ease everyday life for European citizens. The CEN eGov-Share Workshop will assist in unifying those services and facilitate the sharing of information. The workshop is soliciting participation and contributions from practitioners. The results of the CEN/ISSS eGov-Share Workshop will consist of specifications and guidelines to assist designers and developers of eGovernment systems and services, ultimately creating a single point of access to users. In addition to developing a standard for the exchange of information, this Workshop pays attention to different terminologies that are being used across agencies and countries, and to cultural elements that play a role in the use of information in different cultural contexts. The workshop provides hands-on examples on how to realize and to use those specifications.

The Workshop acknowledges that approaches may differ in various systems; therefore, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. As such, the work concentrates on enabling exchange of information, without attempting to standardize local, regional, and national solutions across Europe. Furthermore, the focus is on federation of resource descriptions, enabling the description of services and other resources that are managed in different locations. The reasons for the exchange of information, and what information agencies want to share, are not within the scope of the project. In many cases these decisions are based on bilateral agreements, or governed by European Directives or Regulations. As a consensus platform, this Workshop solicits participation and contributions from the community of program managers, designers, and developers of eGovernment systems and services. Widespread participation ensures that the specifications, guidelines and tools meet the needs of the community. Participants will gain insight into the practices and opportunities of information sharing.

Joining the CEN/ISSS eGov-Share Workshop initiative is free of charge. Those wishing to join are requested to send an email to the Workshop¡¯s secretary, Mr. Tim Kniep. It is to be noted that as part of the Workshop approach, two open meetings are being organised, as follows: The first one will take place in conjunction with the Second Summit on Interoperability in iGovernment ESIIG2 on 20 October 2008. The second open meeting is being scheduled for late January 2009 in Brussels. Both meetings provide an opportunity for people directly involved in building systems and service to make sure the work does indeed provide the support they need. As well, interested organisations and individuals can find out how the results of the Workshop may help them plan and design their interactions with eGovernment.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 09/24/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Guiding eGovernment Architecture in Switzerland

A new "Swiss eGovernment Architecture Community" (SEAC), bringing together industry, government authorities and academia, aims to set guidelines for next-generation IT architectures in the Swiss public sector. According to the Swiss eGovernment Strategy published in 2007, the Swiss eGovernment Architecture is to support, among other targets, the electronic handling of all communications between businesses and public bodies, as well as the electronic information exchange among public bodies. The Swiss eGovernment strategy further states that this architecture should make it possible for citizens to handle their most important communications with the Public Administration by electronic means. Last but not least, the Swiss eGovernment architecture should facilitate the modernisation of processes within the Swiss Public Administration.

The newly established Swiss eGovernment Architecture Community (SEAC) has been put in place by the Swiss Federal Department of Finance (FED), which has overall responsibility for ICT within the country¡¯s Federal Administration. The main goals to be pursued by the SEAC members are officially reported as follows:
Participate actively in the eGovernment architecture development process;
Implement the eGovernment architecture within their local responsibility and their local scope;
Harmonise their local architectures with the local architectures of other community members;
Exchange architecture results with the colleagues from the community, even if they are of local scope;
Review artefacts presented to the community and give appropriate feedback;
Identify the necessity for additional standards and propose this to the community;
Provide advising to the "eGovernment Steering Committee" and the "eGovernment Board of Experts".
It is to be noted that SEAC is "a virtual community" where "regular electronic communication should take place."

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 09/22/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

eVoting Goes National in Switzerland... and International

Voting online and via mobile phones is to be trialled at the federal level in Switzerland under newly adopted regulations. Tests involving up to 10 % of the electorate will be run between 2009 and 2011.They will include Swiss voters living abroad. Federal voting regulations were amended on 21 September to permit the trials to go ahead. E-voting will be one of Switzerland¡¯s biggest-ever IT projects. Federal Chancellor Annemarie Huber-Hotz puts the cost at 400 to 600 million Swiss francs (about €250 million to €375 million). The money will be spent on a series of individual projects at the cantonal level, with the federal state contributing 80 %.

Various cantons have already been experimenting with eVoting, but due to strong local autonomy, the systems used are not necessarily compatible. In the canton of Zurich, for example, electoral registers are kept at the municipal level, and different boroughs use different types of software. So part of the spending will go on harmonising the electoral rolls, at least within each canton. Pilot projects in Zurich will test the possibilities for integrating different systems. Experts predict that it could take up to 30 years for eVoting to become available nationwide. Some 110 000 Swiss are currently living abroad. Last year, their representative council called for them to be given eVoting rights as a means of involving them in the country¡¯s political life.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 09/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Advances in Switzerland's eGovernment Strategy

The Steering Committee for Switzerland¡¯s eGovernment strategy has recently ascertained that the strategy is moving forward. The Steering Committee consists of representatives of the Federal Executive, cantons and municipalities. In its second session, the committee has been informed on the progress of the "eGovernment Strategy Switzerland". This initiative, which started one year ago, encompasses the modernisation of the Public Administration through the use of Information and Communication Technologies.

As the Committee ascertained, many of the 40 priorities and actions adopted last year have already been in the implementation phase. Advancing of the initiative itself is guided by a relevant roadmap, worked out in cooperation with organisations leading the implementation of respective actions. The first version of this roadmap has now been adopted by the Steering Committee and shall be updated at least once a year. In parallel to the implementation of the initiative¡¯s activities, monitoring shall be performed in order to timely identify possible need for action, as soon as the latter occurs. In addition to this, an existing inventory of prioritised actions pertaining to Switzerland¡¯s eGovernment Strategy has been further extended by additional actions.

In that same session, the Steering Committee transferred responsibility for specific actions to further leading organisations of federal, canton and municipal scope. Those organisations are considered as an important factor for the successful implementation of the Swiss eGovernment strategy. Eventually, the new website "eGovernment Switzerland" serves from now on as the main information platform for the implementation of the Swiss eGovernment strategy.

From http://www.epractice.eu 11/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

eJustice Information Service to Improve Court Transparency in Czech

The Czech Minister of Justice, Jiř¨ª Posp¨ªšil, has recently launched a new eJustice information service aimed at improving citizens¡¯ access to information on court proceedings. The new system is already in operation in all district courts in the Czech Republic and should be extended to all regional and high courts by the end of the year. It is a continuation of the existing InfoCourt service, but significantly extends the amount of information made available to citizens over the Internet. By using the eJustice service, the general public will now be able to be access a whole range of information on local court proceedings from the comfort of their home or office, including: the time and place of the judicial proceedings, the name of the judge, the subject of the proceedings and participants in the proceedings. They will also be informed whether the proceedings are public or not.

"This information is taken from the court¡¯s information systems. The data will be available for 30 days due to the protection of personal data," specified Minister Posp¨ªšil. "I am satisfied that the eJustice project provides a maximum of information to the Czech citizens whilst retaining high security standards," he added. In addition to improving access to information for citizens, the eJustice project aims to facilitate the work of judges, attorneys and other department workers, and to accelerate and simplify court proceedings, whilst increasing transparency. Costs should also be reduced. Annual postage costs for the ministry amount to some CZK 350 million (+ €14 million). This is expected to decrease significantly, thanks to the availability of online information. Copying and printing costs will also go down.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/17/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

ePayments for Public Services in Spain

Spain¡¯s Ministry of Public Administrations has expanded the range of public service fees that can be paid online. From 15 September, another four fees collected by the ministry on behalf of various government departments will be payable electronically. In all, ePayment facilities will then be available for 10 of the 11 fees that it administers. Those ten make up 97.9 % of the million and a half fee-paying transactions conducted by government departments each year. Last year, the four services that are now being brought into the ePayment scheme gave rise to more than 431 000 individual fees. These transfers, which required the payer¡¯s physical presence in a bank branch, totalled around €50 million. In the first six months of this year, the number of payments was more than 260 000, representing a sum of almost €32 million.

The four types of fee concerned by the new measure are for: sanitary services relating to sea and air traffic; approval and dispatch of various certificates and diplomas; road transport authorisations, as well as the recognition of road transport professional qualifications; and provision of work permits and other authorisations to foreign nationals. The only fee still not payable online, for the time being, will be for the vaccinations given to international travellers. The ministry will also be adding bar codes to all its paper invoices for fees. This will speed up their processing by banks, and in future it will enable them to be paid via cashpoints.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 09/08/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Open Source eGovernment Study in Spain

Spain has launched a National Open Source Software Observatory. Its first report, just out, is on Open Source use in public administrations. Some 500 000 workstations and servers in Spanish public administrations use Open Source, the report says. Administrations are satisfied with the service provided by Open Source suppliers, and cost reductions have been achieved through economies of scale and the reuse of code.

Among the report¡¯s main recommendations are the following:
Staff training on the technical, legal, economic and sociological aspects of Open Source greatly improves the chances of a successful migration. Regular "technical days" on specific software items can be a particularly effective form of training;
"Meeting points" should be established to increase information flows and synergies between administrations, business experts and software developers;
Administrations should build up a joint "directory of experiences" (positive and negative) of Open Source use. This would help to tackle "one of the problems identified in this report: the lack of dissemination and exchanges of information on experiences";
Support sites should be created for the development of Open Source software by public administrations;
Software creators should be linked up regionally and nationally, as well as at the European and international levels, and there should be arrangements for approving and networking them.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 10/14/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

New Facts on ICT Usage in the Greek Public Health Sector Available

A recent study of the Observatory of the Greek Information Society reveals new facts regarding the utilisation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the areas of Health and Welfare in Greece. The study mainly focuses on the availability and usage of computers and the Internet in the Greek Public Health Sector as well as on the digital literacy of medical practitioners, nurses and related staff. Particular emphasis has also been placed on the assessment of ICT related Projects, which took place within the Third Community Support Framework (CSF).

According to this study, the Greek Public Health Sector is characterised by a high ICT penetration level: the majority of health personnel (61 %) has computer access at the place of employment. However, only 34 % use computers to support their work, and only a few of them on a daily basis. Though 87 % of the employees know how to use a computer, only 23 % own a relevant certification. A total of 54 % has access to the Internet, however, only 18 % utilises an email account issued by the respective authority. Another key finding of the study constitutes the fact that the personnel is already aware of the importance of ICT in the Health Sector. Applications which are considered to be of critical importance include those related to electronic Patient Records (79 %), eHealth Cards (75 %) and Health Information Systems (74 %). Furthermore, the necessity to introduce eProcurement Systems has been pointed out, mainly by IT personnel, yet not by top level management staff.

Regarding the contribution of ICT to the Public Health sector, the majority (80 %) of IT and administration staff considers it as positive. The same also applies to 76 % of the medical personnel. ICT is positively perceived by citizens as it contributes to avoid mistakes, ensure faster and improved service delivery as well as shorter complains processing times.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 09/30/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

The Autonomous Province of Bozen/Bolzano in Italy - South Tyrol Launches New Online Services Portal

On 29 October 2008, the Autonomous Province of Bozen/Bolzano - South Tyrol launched a new online services portal. Currently, the new portal of the South Tyrol administrations provides access to a total of approximately 900 services offered by the State, municipalities, communities and the health care system. In addition, every day new services are appended to the existing catalogue.

The services are clearly structured around life topics (such as family, job and studies), by thematic areas (such as society, taxation and the health care), by specific user groups (such as employees, consumers and students), or by the type of administrative procedure. Searching for services offered by specific institutions is also possible. According to the State eGovernment Coordinator, Mr. Alfred Aberer, particular emphasis has been laid on presenting the services in a simple manner, thus enabling citizens to use them, mostly on their own, without any further assistance.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 11/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

The Netherlands Patent Office Goes Open Source

On 24 September, the Netherlands Patent Office launches its new website based on open source software. The launch of the new website constitutes Netherlands Patent Office first step to switch a large number of its ICT systems to open source software. This action takes place within the framework of the ¡®Netherlands in Open Connection' action plan, an initiative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs aiming at encouraging the use of open standards and open source software in Government Authorities.

The Netherlands Patent Office is the first Government Authority to implement this action plan while actively working towards a wider use of open source software and open standards. By the end of 2009, the entire office environment, including desktop computer systems and the relationship management system will be running on an open source basis. According to Frank Heemskerk, Minister of Foreign Trade, the Netherlands Patent Office is an important front runner with its plans and serves as a good example to other Government Authorities that have yet to implement this action plan.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 09/26/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

NORTH AMERICA: Free Green Power for Canadian Government IT

Provincial governments in Canada are ¡®greening¡¯ their ICT processes - their data centres are set to be powered by renewable hydro-electricity. Gordon Brown British Columbia Premier has promised carbon-neutral and green-certified facilities for the upcoming 2010 Olympics set to be held in Vancouver. This has the province introducing a consumer-based tax - a first in North America - and comes with a mandate for the public sector to be carbon-neutral by 2010. Government agencies, healthcare and educational institutions must address this issue in two years or face taxes - coming from their budgets - for every activity that generates carbon. The key to reduce consumption for the public sector lies in using zero-carbon data centres. This means that organisations will not be competing with other sectors for power as the data centre would essentially have free power.

Hydro-electric sites that are too remote and uneconomical for development can be used as dedicated power sources for data centres. And while smelters and car plants cannot be moved easily to remote sites with renewable energy sources, data centres can if fibre-optic telecom lines for transmitting data to urban centres are present. British Columbia is a natural candidate for developing these data centres because of its untapped falls in coastal areas, abandoned dams, geographic stability and proximity to power-hungry California. However, it is not the only region with abandoned dams. Many such other sites exist throughout North America. Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick too have potential sites and have their eyes on such zero-carbon data centre development - as is the federal government. Such mandates allow provinces to show their green colours without imposing hardship on voters.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 08/27/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Kentucky Launches E-transparency Web Site

A mockup of Kentucky's first e-Transparency Web site is now online and members of the public are being asked to make comments on its design. "Kentucky's Open Door" Web site has been designed as a one-stop venue where citizens can review how their tax dollars are being spent, as well as obtain other vital information about state-funded programs.

The Web site, which will be in full operation on January 1, 2009, will include:
An easy to navigate homepage where citizens will be able to access financial data about the state in a user-friendly, easy-to-access manner
A fully interactive kids section, which will utilize games, cartoons and interactive lessons on budgets and government finance
A budget tutorial that allows the average citizen to log on and find out basic information on state expenditures, revenues and how budgets are developed
A "budget builder" game that will allow users to try their hand at balancing a budget and choosing realistic policy options in order to educate and engage in a hands on way
A broad number of searchable sections where citizens will be able to drill down into government expenditures, revenues, vendors and contracts.

Several suggestions on the design and content of the Web site were made last week before the e-Transparency statewide task force appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear. "I'm very excited about the work done so far by a broad, interagency effort to fulfill the governor's e-transparency goals by January 1," said Finance and Administration Secretary Jonathan Miller. "Gov. Beshear's vision of a more accountable, more responsible government will be closer to fulfillment when any citizen of the commonwealth can access from their home computer how their tax dollars are being used."

From http://www.govtech.com/ 10/06/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Satisfaction with Federal Government Web Sites Continues to Rise in United States

Citizen satisfaction with federal government Web sites improves for a second consecutive quarter on the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) E-Government Satisfaction Index, released today from the University of Michigan and e-gov sponsor ForeSee Results. According to the third quarter report, citizen satisfaction with federal Web sites improves 1.4 percent to 73.9 on ACSI's 100-point scale, making it one of the highest scoring quarters since the index was launched in 2003. More Web sites are improving over time than declining, and 25 percent of sites measured score 80 or higher on the ACSI's 100-point scale, which is considered the threshold for superior satisfaction. Furthermore, the study finds that highly satisfied citizens are considerably more likely to recommend or return to the Web site or use it as the primary channel for interaction with the government, which saves time and taxpayer dollars.

"E-government is smart government," said Larry Freed, president and CEO of ForeSee Results and author of the report. "It's a win-win proposition because consumers prefer the convenience of a mouse click, and government will benefit from improved efficiency, cost-savings, accountability and transparency." The study investigates which elements of the Web site have the most impact for improving satisfaction and finds that search is the top priority for an incredible 96 percent of e-government sites with a search function. Functionality is a top priority for 57 percent of sites, and navigation for 37 percent of sites. The study also measures satisfaction by functional category: e-commerce /transactional sites (+1.6 percent to 78.2), career/recruitment sites (+0.9 percent to 77.3); department/main sites (-0.5 percent to 73.3); and news/information sites (+1.1 percent to 73.3). As with previous quarters, e-commerce/transactional sites continue to top all functional categories, and many government sites in this category rival the satisfaction levels of private sector e-commerce sites.

"E-commerce and transactional sites may have higher satisfaction than other functional categories because it is easier to define success: were you able to execute your task? But for information sites or department sites, the question more often is: could you find what you were looking for?" said Errol Hau, senior director of government markets at Foresee Results. "Improving search could certainly help those sites close the gap." "Amidst all this economic and financial uncertainty, where the federal government has promised a massive capital injection to bailout some of the nation's financial institutions and banks, an investment in e-government makes good sense," said Claes Fornell, head of ACSI at the University of Michigan. "The research shows that improving citizen satisfaction will improve adoption and recommendation, and anything that can improve the efficiency of government will help offset expenditure."

From http://www.govtech.com 10/28/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Governor Commends Missouri State Employee eFolder Technology Project

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt congratulated five state employee work teams for receiving the prestigious Governor's Award for Quality and Productivity. Receiving the Technology in Government Award was the eFolder Project - Department of Labor and Industrial Relations/Office of Administration. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' Employment Security Division and the Office of Administration's Information Technology Services Division achieved a completely paperless operation by developing and implementing the eFolder System, an advanced electronic document management systems for unemployment insurance benefit claim processing. The initial challenge was to document all current and future business processes in order to convert the manual workflow and paper document file system to an electronic process. The goals were to improve staff productivity and customer service, reduce cost and risk, and provide for disaster recovery.

Improved customer service, productivity, reduction in risk, and cost were realized through an instant electronic redistribution of workload for maximum utilization of staff. With the implementation of the eFolder System, 14 percent fewer staff resolved 7.8 percent more cases in 2008 over the same quarter in the two previous years. Such a substantial increase could not have been realized without the eFolder System, according to a release from the Governor's Office. Additionally, annual expenditures for mailing, faxing, and printing were $104,268 which was immediately eliminated upon implementation of eFolder and payroll savings of $2,971,056 are anticipated based on current production and staff levels.

The Division of Employment Security (DES) realized an exceptional increase in processing cases from 54,027 in the first quarter of 2006 to 58,201 in the first quarter of 2008. This is a 25 percent increase in production per technician. Prior to the eFolder System, customers often had to wait for staff to find their paper files. If the file did not reside at that unit, the caller had to phone the center where the file was located. eFolder provides reduced phone time and improved customer service by providing all staff immediate access to information for customers statewide. Originally the DES had no disaster recovery plan. A disaster striking one unit could potentially wipe out over 25 percent of the active claims documents. The daily transport of completed case documents to Central Office from three remote sites for imaging came with a risk and liability of losing documents for thousands of claimants. With eFolder, all correspondence is received in Jefferson City, immediately scanned, and distributed electronically to the appropriate unit affording complete recovery capability. As the future of the DES continues to operate in the ever changing dynamics unemployment insurance environment, the eFolder System is poised to adapt to these changes and allow for future enhancements.

From http://www.govtech.com/ 10/30/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

GIS Boosts Law Enforcement Work in New York

The New York City Department of Probation (NYCDOP) has deployed ESRI¡¯s geographic information system (GIS) software to manage caseloads, track high-risk probationers, and share information with other law enforcement divisions more efficiently. GIS provides data to identify probation officer caseloads by precinct, ZIP Code, and borough. It also maps probationers, rearrests, and new crime locations to help allocate resources, and allows probationer data to be visualised to aid in both investigation and apprehension of violators. "We¡¯re better prepared to keep crime down and understand probation issues using GIS," said Alphonzo Albright, chief information officer, NYCDOP. With 35 staff members, including consultants, NYCDOP¡¯s IT group is accountable for the management of office automation tasks. This includes desktop software and support, network implementation, application development, and information management.

The department has numerous information needs. It serves more than 60,000 adult probationers and 25,000 juveniles each year. Annually, it provides 40,000 Pre-Sentence Investigations (PSI) for the Supreme and Criminal courts as well as 7000 Investigations and Recommendations (I&R) reports for the Family Court. "Probation departments are underfunded yet still responsible for preserving public safety. The reengineering of IT at our department has been a significant factor in smart planning. Certainly, GIS has played a significant role here. Geocoding caseloads and providing strategic maps help in this process," he added. The GIS system, using ESRI ArcGIS Desktop software, pulls data from the department¡¯s Reusable Case Management System crime database, geocodes it, and provides query and analysis capability. The maps and data generated by Albright and his staff are supplied to probation officers either in paper format or digitally via e-mail.

GIS maps can show probationer locations as well as the areas of probationer rearrests. A visual representation of neighbourhoods where these new crimes are taking place can help in planning where to place additional resources to prevent probation violations, make arrests when necessary, and deter crime. Also, probation officers can visualise caseloads geographically to quickly identify high-risk probationers that require special attention. Mapped data can also help with probationer compliance issues. A probation officer can see where a probationer resides in relationship to schools, liquor stores, gun stores, known drug trafficking areas, other probationers, and a host of other criteria. For someone who has violated terms of probation, data such as last known residence, place of employment, addresses of known family members and associates, and the location of previous arrests can be visualised and overlaid to aid in both investigation and apprehension.

For probation managers, the data can help determine how to assign cases to field officers so they have a smaller geographic range to cover. This can enable probation officers to minimise driving time and maximise contacts with the people in their caseloads. The second phase in the use of ArcGIS by NYCDOP will include significant enhancements in the types of analysis that will be performed and the method for accessing the system.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 11/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Federal Department of Health and Human Services Selects Arizona for Innovative E-Health Pilot

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano yesterday announced Arizona's participation in a two-state pilot that will empower senior citizens to make more informed health care decisions through access to their personal health records (PHRs). The pilot, sponsored by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will make information about Medicare beneficiaries' personal health care histories available to them safely through the Internet starting in 2009. "Arizona is a national leader in using technology to improve the quality and reduce the cost of health care," said Napolitano. "These new personal health records will empower Arizona seniors to take a more active role in their health care decisions and improve patient safety."

PHRs are records of health treatments from the patient's health plan and can also include self-reported information. They can help consumers make more informed decisions about their health care. HHS has awarded contracts to four private providers (Google Health, HealthTrio, NoMoreClipboard.com, and PassportMD) to develop PHRs for this pilot program of Medicare patients in Arizona and Utah. "This pilot is a major step forward for Medicare. It will provide information and tools that will empower consumers to manage their health better," said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt. "Importantly, the pilot provides beneficiaries with a choice of products to meet their individual needs."

Arizona was chosen for this pilot based on its large senior population and the momentum for e-health established through the state's Health-e Connection initiative launched by Napolitano in 2005. "Governor Napolitano has placed Arizona in the forefront of national e-health initiatives," said State CIO Chris Cummiskey. "From the development of the Arizona Health-e Connection Roadmap, to the AHCCCS Medicaid Transformation Project, to the Health Privacy Project, Arizona is a national leader in E-Health."

From http://www.govtech.com/ 11/13/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Texas County Plans Shared Data Center

In state and local government, collaboration is in - just ask the public-sector movers and shakers in Texas' westernmost county, El Paso. City and county government, school districts, community colleges and others - groups that make life a bit easier for the citizens they serve - have a history of working together to deploy projects that otherwise would be difficult to implement. Their latest planned endeavor is a county-run data center that stakeholders hope will provide storage and backup capabilities for several entities. "We're considering it as a co-location [facility] in the sense that we would not be managing other people's servers; we would just be providing the space, power and infrastructure," said Peter Cooper, El Paso County's chief technology officer. "We would probably each have separate fiber connections." Cooper works for the county's Information Technology Department (ITD), the group spearheading the planning. Like most county technology departments, the ITD supports other work units with their technology needs, but thanks to this new data center project, the staff members have another tall order. They've been working hard to prepare for it, and they're taking special care to get the project right.

In April 2008, some of Cooper's co-workers attended AFCOM's annual Data Center World Conference in Las Vegas. AFCOM was founded in 1980, when the acronym stood for the Association for Computer Operations Management. The association has evolved into a resource for data center professionals, with annual conferences like the one El Paso's ITD personnel attended. Their goal was to talk to designers and vendors to find out what makes a good data center tick. They came back with some intriguing ideas. "The interesting thing, both from vendors we've talked to and talking to design people at this data center design conference, is that with blade servers and virtualization, we're actually going to be able to have a relatively small space compared to what we're using now," Cooper said. "This would be our primary data center. We would put in new equipment, blade servers and virtualize as much as we can." The county's current data center and computer room fall short of what's needed. Cooper said El Paso has already allocated nearly $6 million for the new facility as part of a bond issue.

"We have outgrown our space and cooling," he said. El Paso County had 736,000 residents in 2006, according to a U.S. Census Bureau estimate. "We have two data centers. You can't even call them data centers. We have two computer rooms in the county courthouse. One's up on the 13th floor and one's down in the basement, and we've had flooding in both places." Cooper recalled heavy rainstorms in 2006 that threatened the data centers because of roof leakage. A water-related disaster is always a concern since the El Paso County Courthouse is on lower ground near the Rio Grande. The county repaired the roof in time to save the equipment, but weather isn't the only threat that could jeopardize the equipment.

"We've also seen water in our lower-level room when a main burst inside the building and water spilled out, and it got dangerously close to shutting us down because it was very close to where we have our equipment," said David Garcia, the county's business applications project administrator. "That was another lesson learned: You don't want to have your data center too close to water." The facilities department came to the rescue with wet vacuums to siphon water until the spill could be controlled. But as Garcia said, the ITD doesn't want to take any more chances with these types of situations. They've scoped out a new location for the incoming data center away from El Paso's downtown area. Once the designer assesses and deems the land sufficient, the ITD will go to the Board of County Commissioners for approval."

From http://www.govtech.com/ 11/05/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

CHINA: City Party Chief Goes Online to Address Citizens' Concerns

The Shanghai Party Secretary held his first online chat with the public yesterday and offered encouraging news on many fronts, including the city's economic prospects, the new housing policy and the streamlining of the residency permit system. Yu Zhengsheng, secretary of the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Party of China, talks online with local residents about social, economic and daily life issues in Shanghai yesterday. Yu Zhengsheng fielded at least 7,200 questions during the 110-minute session on Eastday.com that began at 9:05am and lasted until 11:15am. Yu stressed in the chat that Shanghai's economy was not shrinking but was still on the rise given that industrial output growth stood at 12 percent in the last nine months. "Shanghai, of course, is also influenced by the financial crisis as all global economies are closely related to each other," Yu said. "It's difficult for me now to predict how long or how deep this effect will be." Yu came up with a simple but common-sense safety-net analogy: "All I can say is that if it is about to rain, take out an umbrella as soon as possible." He said the municipal government had come up with seven solutions to help Shanghai meet the challenge. These included investment in infrastructure projects, such as education and medical resources.

The government would also play a role in stabilizing the real estate market and focus more on domestic consumption, Yu said. Yu was joined by 15 representatives selected by the city's official news Website. "We still have to wait and see as the problem is whether you have opened the umbrella at the right time - and whether the umbrella actually works," he said. Yu also revealed that the government was due to release a detailed housing policy next month that would decide who could buy the so-called "economical apartments" and who had the right to resell them as commercial apartments. Economical apartments refer to residences built by property developers designated by the government and sold to low and medium-income families at lower prices. He listed housing and traffic as the two issues the public was most concerned about in Shanghai. For commercial apartments, the government would use measures such as taxation and land-supply controls to adjust market prices, Yu said. Yu assured non-locals living in the city that more of them would receive Shanghai residence certificates, or hukou, after an amended policy was released as early as next month. The new policy, designed for out-of-town graduates or talented people who work in the city, will be a great relief to many from all over China who call the city home. It will grant them the same social benefits as Shanghai natives. Yu said the policy would also attract more talented people to Shanghai.

From Shanghai Daily 11/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

China Opens Website for Public Verification of ID Cards

China's Public Security Ministry on Friday opened a website for citizens to verify individual identity cards. Any ID card can be verified for a 5 yuan (73 US cents) online payment at the site, www.nciic.org.com, with a few seconds. The system is intended to facilitate transactions where ID is needed, such as online trading and apartment rentals, where fake IDs are often used. The system was already in use for government departments, financial institutions and telecom companies to protect their security and prevent payments in arrears. It has also been used during national tests to verify the test-taker's ID and crack down on impostors. The ministry has stored about 1.3 billion pieces of ID information on China's legal residents.

From Xinhua News Agency 11/08/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

JAPAN: FY2007 Revenues and Expenditures of Private Broadcasters and Cable Television Broadcasters

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has compiled the revenues and expenditures of broadcasters in fiscal 2007, which is outlined below. - Private terrestrial broadcasters Operating income of broadcasters levels off for three consecutive years, while operating expenditures have been on the rise for the past several years. Operating profit/loss, ordinary profit/loss, and profit for the current term plummeted. Community broadcasting business saw increases in operating revenues, operating expenditures, operating profit/loss, ordinary profit/loss, and profit for the current term because cable television broadcasters who generate comparatively large revenues operate one of the 18 new entrants in fiscal 2007. - Private satellite broadcasters Operating revenues slightly increased while operating expenditures leveled off. In fiscal 2007, BS digital broadcasting moved into the black on a single year basis for the first time. The balance of the entire satellite broadcasting business is improving. - Cable television broadcasters Operating revenues and operating expenditures in the cable television broadcasting business have been on the rise for the past several years. Operating earnings dramatically increased on a year-on-year basis.

From http://www.soumu.go.jp/ 09/03/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Prospects for Radio Use and Measures for Efficient Use of Radio Waves in the 2010s

Aiming to develop a vision of radio use in the 2010s and identify issues to realize the vision, as well as to study measures for efficient use of radio waves in the 2010s, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) will hold a panel on radio policy. 1. Background/Purpose. Radio use is expected to dramatically expand in both quality and quantity. It is also likely that systems and services that use new radio communications technologies will emerge, and that radio will be used in new fields, particularly in efforts to address such issues as the declining birthrate, the aging population, the creation of new industries, the revitalization of local communities, and environmental issues. With these prospects, and in light of future advancement in radio use technology and global trends, MIC will hold the Panel on Radio Policy to develop a vision of radio use in the 2010s, identify issues to realize the vision, and study measures for efficient use of radio waves in the 2010s. 2. Key study items (1) Developing visions of systems and services using radio waves in the 2010s (2) Studying measures for efficient use of radio waves in the 2010s. 3. Study period. The Panel will hold its first meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2008, and compile a report by around June 2009.

From http://www.soumu.go.jp/ 10/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Nao Matsushita Encourages Public to File Income Tax Returns Online

TOKYO - Actress-pianist Nao Matsushita, 23, has been enlisted by the National Tax Administration Agency (NTAA) to encourage the public to file their income tax returns online. Matsushita said, "It¡¯s a new idea for me. I have always filed my tax returns after doing them by hand. But next time I would like to try the e-tax method." The NTAA offers a guide to filing income tax returns online on its website at http://www.nta.go.jp/.

From http://www.japantoday.com/ 10/24/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Public Comment Invited on Draft Study Agenda of Panel on ICT Vision

From Wednesday, November 12 until Friday, November 28, 2008, the Panel on ICT Vision (Chair: OKA Motoyuki, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sumitomo Corporation) invites public comment on the draft study agenda. 1. Target of public comment Draft Study Agenda of the Panel on ICT Vision 2. Purpose - The Panel on ICT Vision was established in October 2008 to study a comprehensive vision of ICT policy by looking toward the future through and around 2015. It now invites public comment on its draft study agenda.

From http://www.soumu.go.jp/ 11/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

SOUTH KOREA: Govt. to Create 330,000 New Knowledge-based Jobs

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy says it plans to create around 330,000 new jobs in the knowledge and service sectors within the next five years. The government says it will nurture job growth in areas such as software development, design, consulting, energy conservation and information security. It plans to draw up a comprehensive plan by the second half of this year and is expected to pour in a total of W41 billion won (US$1=W1,090) until 2012.

From Arirang News 08/27/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Korea's IT Competitiveness Declines

Korea's IT competitiveness declined five notches from 2007. According to the Korea International Trade Association on Sunday, Korea ranked eighth among 66 countries, with 64.1 points out of 100, in the 2008 IT industry competitiveness index by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a provider of economic data and analysis. Korea ranked third after the U.S. and Japan in 2007. This year, the U.S. topped the list for the second year running with 74.6 points, followed by Taiwan (69.2 points), the U.K. (67.2 points), Sweden (66 points), Denmark (65.2 points), Canada (64.4 points), and Australia (64.1 points). Taiwan rose to second place from sixth last year. Sweden and Canada rose by three notches each. By contrast, Japan fell from second to 12th place (62.2 points). Germany and France ranked 19th and 20th, respectively. China finished 50th with 27.6 points. The EIU uses weighted categories such as overall business environment (10 percent), IT infrastructure (20 percent), human capital (20 percent), legal environment (10 percent), R&D environment (25 percent) and support for IT industry development (15 percent). KITA said, "Korea has been well-known as an IT powerhouse, but it's noteworthy that its IT competitiveness had declined significantly." It urged the government to give a variety of support to the industry, and the industry to make its own efforts to enhance its competitiveness.

From http://english.chosun.com/ 09/22/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Seoul's Competitiveness Is Korea's Competitiveness

Addressing about 3,000 city officials at a meeting held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 25, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon once again emphasized that Seoul's competitiveness is Korea's competitiveness. At the regular meeting of city employees, Oh introduced his "Great K" vision if Seoul takes the lead in improving its competitiveness, Korea's competitiveness would also improve and both the city and the country can develop. Oh also pointed out the valued added created by culture as in the case of New York and Bilbao, Spain and talked about the city's culturenomics strategy. "We are boosting our competitiveness through designing software, hardware and services," said Oh. Citing Singapore as an example, Oh said, "While businesses were the engine when the per capita income was $10,000, efficient government organization should lead the way in the era of per capita income of $30,000 and $50,000." Seoul Metropolitan Government's efficiency and its employees' competitiveness are prerequisites for speeding up Korea's entry into the ranks of advanced, developed country, Oh said. An organization can gain competitiveness when it works hard and it is free from corruption, Oh added. He also said that one of the results of the creative city administration initiative is an improvement in the Seoul Metropolitan Government's competitiveness. Oh thanked the city employees for their creative ideas and efforts to improve the functioning of the city organization. He also asked the city employees to lead the way in making Korea an advanced country.

From http://english.seoul.go.kr/ 09/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

130,000 Gov't Documents Hacked

A total of 130,000 government documents have been exposed in hacking attacks from North Korea and China since 2004, the National Intelligence Service reported to Prime Minister Han Seung-soo. Culture, Sports and Tourism Vice Minister Shin Jae-min quoted Han as saying in a Cabinet meeting the leaks were "very serious" and calling on the Cabinet to take action. Han said many of the documents were exposed due to a lax sense of security among public servants who stored major documents including confidential data in their personal computers and transmit them on the Internet. But an official with the Prime Minister's Office said, "My understanding is that most of the 130,000-odd leaked documents are unclassified." The PM¡¯s Office and the NIS will jointly inspect government offices and reflect the results in a performance. Beginning Oct. 15, the government will designate the third Wednesday each month to check on cyber security. Some 500 to 600 dedicated hackers are estimated to be at work in North Korea.

From http://english.chosun.com/ 10/15/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Websites to Stop ID-Number Registration

Internet service providers such as portal sites, e-commerce and online game companies must change membership registration process that oblige users to give their resident registration number, Korea¡¯s version of the personal ID number. The current excessive reliance on such information has been subject to heavy leakage of private data. The Korea Communications Commission on Wednesday announced a revision to the Act on Promotion of Utilization of Information and Communication Network and Data Protection. All portal sites with average daily visitors of 50,000 or more, and all online commercial and games websites with average daily visitors of 10,000 or more must devise a new membership registration process that does not require resident registration number. About 1,176 websites will be affected by the new rules. The original membership registration process can be used only when the joining member prefer it. Alternative ways to confirm identification would be use of i-PIN, credit card numbers, or official electronic certificates issued by banks and mobile phones.

From http://english.chosun.com/ 10/30/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

MALAYSIA: More Govt Agencies in Malaysia Establish Online Presence

In Malaysia, an increasing amount of government agencies are now appearing online, according to an assessment programme conducted by the three government agencies, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), and the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU). Findings from the study showed that more government departments were using portals and web sites to promote, provide and obtain feedback on their services, from citizens. A total of 1133 portals and websites were assessed, an increase from 1055 and 903 in 2005, respectively. According to MDeC CEO, Dato¡¯ Badlisham Ghazali, the Malaysia had consistently risen up the rankings of a number of international e-government surveys, and that the most recent internal assessment by the three government agencies demonstrated that government agencies in Malaysia have woken up to the opportunity to leverage the internet to engage with the country¡¯s residents and visitors.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 09/24/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Malaysia Trials Videoconferencing in Courts

The Malaysian government is considering videoconferencing and other IT-related deployments in courts nationwide, following the successful implementation of a pilot project in Sarawak. According to Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, minister in the Prime Minister¡¯s Department, the videoconferencing system used in Sarawak courts have helped speed up the disposal of cases which in turn, saved time and costs for judges and lawyers. "The system has accelerated the course of justice in the sense that cases are solved quickly. For example, it can resolve a case in Kuching within a short time, when the parties are in Miri and Sibu, leading to savings in both time and money," said Dompok. At the moment the system is being run by Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned company of the state government, as a pilot project. Dompok is looking into obtaining funding from the government and implementing it nationwide. Videoconferencing facilities are available in the Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri courts, while teleconferencing is available in other courts. Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, said he has set a target of three months¡¯ waiting time for criminal cases to be heard and one year for civil cases. Currently, the waiting time is nine months and two years respectively. (by Amelia Kwok)

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 10/02/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

SINGAPORE: Govt Experiments with Social Media

The Singapore government is on Facebook. Why? Dr Amy Khor, Member of Parliament, Mayor of Singapore¡¯s Southwest district and Chairman of government feedback agency REACH, has the answers. For government feedback agency ¡®REACH Singapore¡¯, new media is a key opportunity to drive public feedback and citizen participation. An acronym for "Reaching Everyone for Active Citizenry@ Home", the agency was set up on October 2006 in an effort to go beyond gathering public feedback to engage and connect with citizens. According to Amy Khor, Member of Parliament, Mayor of Singapore¡¯s Southwest District and Chairman of REACH, the agency decided to use Facebook as a means to "reach out and connect with the youth, including young professionals, who are active in this network". It is their plan to engage younger Singaporeans by leveraging on platforms with high youth presence. Also, by using a virtual network that transcends international borders, REACH hopes to connect with overseas Singaporean to help them stay rooted to the country.

REACH has been making waves in Singapore news for its recent foray into Facebook - a social networking platform launched in 2004 which has since hit estimate revenue of US$150 million. Among Singaporeans, Facebook is the 12th most hit website with 7.4 per cent of the 4 million-big population registered as users. However, the agency is mindful that different segments and demographic profile of the population are comfortable with different communication channels. Hence the focus is not limited to online or new media but a range of methods covering conventional face-to-face dialogues to SMS, web chats, discussion forums, blogs, and an interactive exhibition that will rove at events in the local housing estates to promote awareness about REACH. Having put REACH on Facebook, the agency plans to harness feedback in an approach administered by staff that will monitor the postings for compilation and send all feedback to the relevant ministries for their consideration and response. Khor concurs that "we will also request relevant agencies to look into and reply to specific requests."

"What we are seeing now is active discussion on the discussion board. These range from transportation to environmental issues. We welcome the public to engage us and give us their feedback and views whether via new media channels such as web chats and Facebook or through more conventional platforms such as face-to-face dialogue sessions where they can contribute their ideas on issues and policies of interest to them." When asked if netizens will have their comments under strict regulations in accordance with Singapore¡¯s reputation of a fine city - fines for littering, smoking in restricted areas, eating on public transport and many more - REACH insists that "They are free to comment on any issue they feel strongly about, as long as their comments are not deemed inappropriate and / or insensitive to other users, particularly with regard to race and religion." However, for a country that has set aside US$329 million over five years from 2006 to increase their Interactive and Digital Media (IDM) research and development capacity and capabilities, Singapore is not that much of a tech-geek.

REACH had its account on Facebook set up as a "profile page" instead of a "group page", hence raking flake from the Singapore public for their violations of Facebook¡¯s rules and regulations. The agency has since migrated to a "group page" but left some Singaporeans upset with their information being made available to a REACH administrative who has since taken over the initial profile account. Khor gracefully explains that "REACH is still familiarising ourselves with Facebook. We regret any inconveniences caused to our Facebook friends due to this glitch." Living by the adage of "counting your blessings", the mistake on REACH¡¯s part is seen as a positive example of the power of the new media, which enables very prompt feedback and response. REACH now has more than 800 users and intends to refine its integration into new media culture. Their first foray into new media fuels their belief that many youth and other netizens will be encouraged to engage the government and give their feedback through the agency¡¯s Facebook group.

As to future plans for using social media as engagement, REACH will monitor the usefulness and popularity of their various feedback channels, and work on them as appropriate in order to engage more Singaporeans. "We will also continue to explore new channels of communication when they arise, and use a mix of conventional and new media technologies to reach out to the wider community," Khor concludes. Singapore¡¯s other attempts at Web 2.0 Early 2007, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) procured a small island on Second Life - an internet-based virtual world video game that has a total of 10 million global residents. This purchase is in line with the 2006¡¯s 10 year infocomm master plan called the "Intelligent Nation 2015". To use Virtual Worlds technologies in realising the iN2015 vision of establishing Singapore as a digital media and entertainment (DME) capital, IDA embarked on a collaborative project with a local polytechnic to experiment hands-on experiential learning in these cyber worlds. Another of IDA¡¯s efforts is an information resource site, infocomm123.sg, which offers tips on the use of infocomm in everyday life. Singaporeans can come into the website with any question related to the use of infocomm and have it answered by more advanced infocomm users. An interesting feature of the website is the Big Fact Book containing information resources ranging from security tips to a guide on e-government services. (by Alice Kok)

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 09/17/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

VIET NAM: City Invests in IT Application at State Agencies

HCM CITY - HCM City earmarked more than VND226 billion (US$32.3 million) to accelerate the application of information technology at State agencies in the city during the next two years. While public offices at municipal and district levels have had success in linking IT networks and operating their own websites to provide public services, a lack of equipment and software has hindered operations. The new project aims to build a broad ¡®Metronet¡¯ linking 20 municipal departments and agencies, 24 districts and all universities in the city. The network will also include a database and information portals related to land use, natural resources, science and technology and socio-economic issues.

From http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/ 10/18/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

BANGLADESH: KMC Has an IT Department

In order to streamline administration and expedite e-Governance, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has set up a separate Information Technology department. The existing data processing department has been merged into the new department. There will be deputy managers, assistance managers, managers, engineers, data helpers and clerks. Out of 15 deputy managers, nine will be posted at the data centre as it will operate round the clock. Two systems managers will look after data centre and networking activities, software application and data securities activities. One manager will look after work in the added areas. IT professionals will assist the controlling officers and attempts will be made to turn KMC into a paperless office. With the introduction of the unit area assessment from next year, it is necessary to introduce e-governance in borough offices to help property tax payers. The online system will connect all borough offices, maternity homes, stores and garages with the head quarters. It will make the administration both transparent and effective.

From The Statesman 09/22/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Use of ID Cards for Voting

WITH the schedule of election of parliament announced, demand for use of identity cards issued to adult citizens during preparation of the photo voter list has been raised to make the election fair. Speakers at a roundtable the other day expressed their concern that during the recent city-corporation and municipal elections, ID cards were not used. Enthusiastic voters who carried their cards, rather, fell in embarrassing situations.The Election Commission took up the project for making a faultless voter list with photos with a view to ensuring fair elections. More than eight crore voters in the list have been given identity cards. The common perception is that those are voter ID cards, although issued as national ID cards. It was revealed during the recent city-corporation and municipal elections that the serial numbers of the cards are not identical to those of the voters in the photo voter list and, as such, the cards were not used. It is difficult to understand the logic behind making the serial numbers different. National ID cards are expected to be given to all citizens irrespective of age. Such ID cards can and should be used for multiple purposes including identifications of voters in elections. One of the arguments for the delay in holding the national election was the completion of the voter list. If the cards are not used to establish the voters' identity, only a correct voter list may not be enough to prevent false voting. Whether the cards are voter ID cards or national ID cards is a useless debate, the important thing is, whether those will help establish true identity of the voters. The call for making the use of ID cards mandatory during voting is thus backed by sufficient logic.

From http://nation.ittefaq.com/ 11/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

INDIA: National Environment Portal Launched

Sam Pitroda, Chairman of India¡¯s National Knowledge Commission, has launched the India Environment Portal, a one-stop information resource centre aimed to promote informed decision-making and environmentally sustainable practices. The portal, an initiative of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and promoted by the National Knowledge Commission, is accessible at www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in, where users can find news, feature articles, opinions, data, reports and documents, book abstracts, and links to institutions and government bodies. Sam Pitroda, Chairman of India¡¯s National Knowledge Commission, has launched the India Environment Portal, a one-stop information resource centre aimed to promote informed decision-making and environmentally sustainable practices. The portal, an initiative of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and promoted by the National Knowledge Commission, is accessible at www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in, where users can find news, feature articles, opinions, data, reports and documents, book abstracts, and links to institutions and government bodies.

Much of the information on environment organised and made public by the portal is regularly produced by research institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and the mass media, among others. In addition, the massive resources of the CSE have been made public in the first phase of the portal¡¯s development. People are also able to access updated information on latest developments, policies and resources on the portal. Together with news and events, the portal features an indepth section, with backgrounders, analysis and other resource materials on specific subjects. All the resources in the portal are manually tagged using a thesaurus of more than 7000 environmental and geographic terms, allowing users to track each resource by subject, location, and the agent involved. The portal has been developed using an open source content management system. It is also integrated with a search platform, giving users the ability to search across multiple classifications and locate the resource they want quickly.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 08/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Online Public Grievance Mechanism in Indian State - Himachal Pradesh

In a move to make government dealings transparent, the Government of Himachal Pradesh is planning to introduce an online system of public grievances monitoring. This e-Service will help the common man to directly send messages to the office of the Chief Minister. The new system will help to speed up the grievances redressal system and would ensuring transparent functioning of the government and make government more accountable to the citizens. The residents of the state can make e-Complaints from any personal computer or cyber cafes. There are several levels at which the grievances would be monitored such as secretaries, head of the departments and even the Chief Minister himself, who could issue directions to the concerned officers immediately depending upon the seriousness of the issue.The system will be accessible to all the ministers and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 08/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Kerala to Make E-Filing of Tax Returns Compulsory

The Government of Kerala (Indian state) has announced that online sales tax filing will be made mandatory from the next fiscal year.Traders can file their sales tax online from December 2008. However, the e-Filing of taxes will be made compulsory from the next financial year. The Government is planning to establish kiosks at the Akshaya centres to facilitate e-Filing. Akshaya centres are e-Kiosks run by private entrepreneurs, which have state-wide reach. The traders will be provided with a brochure which will have all the names of the accredited Akshaya centres where they can submit all their papers. Akshaya Centres will conduct the data entry and subsequently submit the returns to the tax department. Akshaya centres will get compensation for filing tax returns from the Kerala government. It is expected that approximately 150,000 returns will be filed in Kerala which will be an income generating opportunity for these centres. It is expecting that the e-Filing will bring 20-25 percent increase in tax revenues this year.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 09/09/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Globalization Update: Indian IT Firm Reshapes Tucson's Tax System

(Computerworld) Indian IT firm Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. is upgrading systems for state and local governments, competing in a market where the words "India" and "outsourcing" make politicians bristle. And Tata is being very bold about it. It's calling its tax and revenue systems, Tax Mantra, a word rooted in India. It has completed seven tax system projects for cities in the U.S. At least two of those are in the Arizona cities Phoenix and Tucson. The full list isn't being disclosed. Tata, as a provider of tax and revenue systems may be a relatively new vendor in the local government market, but it has worked for years modernizing tax systems in India. The company said tax systems share many similarities globally. Tata is one of the largest IT services and outsourcing providers in the world, with more than 116,000 employees. Tata just completed a modernization project for Tucson. The city's outdated system was a 20-year-old IBM mainframe system that ran mostly homegrown applications written in Cobol, according to Gage Andrews, deputy director of the city's IT department. The city received a number of proposals from vendors. What helped Tata in its bid was the work it did elsewhere in Arizona. Because of that work, it knew the state and local customization requirements, Andrews said.

The city followed Tata's recommendation as far as platform, moving to Window servers and browser-based applications with capabilities for taxpayers to manage their taxes online, a feature the city wasn't able to offer previously. The data from the mainframe applications was migrated to new applications in a J2EE environment. "What was impressive to us was Tata's ability to take an application that was not Web-based and turn it over to a Web-based application," Andrews said. This is a turnkey project, with Tucson's IT staff running the day-to-day operations and equipment. The city isn't outsourcing operations, although Tata provides ongoing maintenance and support. Once the city is completely off the mainframe, Andrews said the IT staff that worked on it will be redeployed to other projects. Asked about using an India-based company, Andrews said that "with the globalization of IT, it's going to be pretty hard to find somebody that is only an American-based company." Chris Dixon, an analyst at government IT market research firm Input in Reston, Va., agrees with Andrews' perspective, and said state and local governments may hire U.S.-based IT firms for similar projects that nonetheless ship work overseas to stay competitive. But few Indian companies are winning work under their "own banners" as Tata has.

Local governments are already working with vendors in other countries, Dixon said. He cited Montreal-based CGI Group, which in 2004 bought Fairfax, Va.-based American Management Systems, a company that had done extensive state and local government work. Tata could acquire U.S. companies as well. Hiring slows at IT services firms in India because of economy Indian Outsourcer Reshapes Tucson Tax System Q&A: CA's Barrenechea explains offshore development strategy Indian law may satisfy data protection concerns India's '$10 laptop' turns out to be too good to be true "If a Canadian firm can come into America and compete, there is no reason why an Indian firm can't do the same thing," Dixon said. Tanmoy Chakrabarty, vice president and head of Tata Consultancy Services government industry solutions, said the company is working to sell its tax and revenue system approach globally. The challenges involved in India, where many people don't own computers, required approaches such as the use of kiosks. Those weren't needed in Tucson because most people have access to a PC. But the use of the Tax Mantra framework in other countries won't be that difficult."The fundamental applications and principles of taxation have an underlying commonality of approach," said Chakrabarty, adding that he believes the system can be easily repeated, hence the word mantra in its name.

From http://www.computerworld.com/ 09/12/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Haryana to Develop State Data Centre

Haryana is ready to take the last step towards IT infrastructure development in the form of state data centre. The project, which is likely to catalyze an investment of about INR 500 million, is waiting an approval from the Central Government of India. The state data centre will be developed and maintained by a private company in collaboration with Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation (Hartron). It will act as the main data centre where all the state departments will store their data in electronic form for their own use, as well for making it accessible to the general public. The data centre will have a 35 rack storage capacity which will be sufficient to store data for the next 10 years and the capacity may be scaled up in future as per the requirement. Special secretary & director IT, Haryana, V S Kundu stated that the state government has already submitted the 'Request for Proposal' prepared by PWC to the Government of India and the approval is expected to come by the end of this month. Haryana has done considerable work in setting up the State Wide Area Network (SWAN), Common Service Centres (CSCs), eDisha etc. These initiatives will help make rural areas IT enabled. SWAN in Haryana, known as "ADHAAR" has been established to provide a dependable and secure communication corridor between the state headquarter, district headquarters and block and tehsil headquarters.

From Financial Express 09/16/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

DIT Plans to Launch Campaign for E-Governance Project

The Department of Information Technology (DIT) is planning to launch a high-pitched awareness campaign for its INR 230 billion e-Governance project. The DIT has earmarked INR 0.15 billion for the campaign, which is likely to be launched around November 2008. Under the e-governance project, the government is trying to bring many services to the doorsteps of the masses. Under the e-governance plan, around 1 lakh Common Service Centres (CSC) have been proposed, which will provide e-governance services in the country's far flung areas. So far the government has implemented around 12,000 CSCs in eight states. Apart from educating the masses about technology, the campaign will generate demand for the services. The national e-Governance plan would include services like road transport, land records, commercial taxes, employment exchanges, agriculture, civil supplies, treasuries, land registration, policy and education at the state level. At the central level it will cover areas such as insurance, central excise, National ID, pensions, e-passports, banking, passport, visa and income tax.

From Financial Express 09/23/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Six Departments in Kerala Secretariat to Go Paperless

The State Government of Kerala has taken a policy decision to implement paperless office system in six departments in the Secretariat. Under the policy, six departments are finance, information technology, public works, food and civil supplies, higher education and non-resident Keralites.To begin with, the process of handling petitions received in these department would be made paperless within a few months. Other files would also be made paperless in a phased manner. An IT cell would be constituted at the Secretariat by drawing officials qualified in IT from various departments in the Secretariat itself in order to monitor e-governance at the Secretariat. Paperless office has already been implemented at the Kerala State IT Mission, all centres of Akshaya, Kerala State IT Infrastructure Limited and Kerala State Urban Development programme. Once the petition process is made paperless, all the petitions received in the respective departments would be scanned and forwarded to the concerned section. An official can access the file and make his remarks and pass it on to the next official in the hierarchy. The remarks made by an official could be tracked later. The main advantage of the system is that anybody could track the status of his petition through the Internet. Similarly, an officer could access the files send to him through the Internet from anywhere in the world.

From Express Buzz 09/23/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Video-Conferencing to Replace Bureaucrats¡¯ Hotline

Soon all the Indian secretaries at the centre and state chief secretaries will have virtual meetings every day as the centre has begun implementing a programme worth INR 1.5 crore, introducing desktop video conferencing to enable them take quick decisions and expedite the response time. The project is expected to be completed within two months. The entire concept has been mooted by the commission and is being implemented by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) whose Internet protocol will be utilised for the purpose. An expenditure of about Rs 1.5 crore would be incurred for the programme. The secretaries currently use the RAX system, which is a hotline between them for communicating in times of need. The new system will enable virtual meetings between them and ensure a quick response during crisis situations like natural disasters. The government had initially decided to install EVCS for the union secretaries, but after a review it decided to extend the same to state chief secretaries. The project would be executed by NIC and the existing Internet Protocol based network infrastructure-NICNET will be used for providing high-speed bandwidth needed for good quality video-conferencing which can be simultaneously carried out in eight EVCS at a time. A key advantage of the system is sharing of data in video conferencing mode. The RAX system will continue to be used by the ministers. A total of 120 desk-top video conferencing hardware would be installed as of now at the centre besides in all states and union territories. As of now one such hardware has been installed in the office of the Orissa chief secretary.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 09/25/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Abu Dhabi Completes e-Archiving of Judicial Data

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) announced the completion of a major portion of its ambitious project of electronic archiving of cases. It involves archiving of around 32,300,000 judicial documents pertaining to over 669,000 cases in Abu Dhabi, Western Region and Al Ain. This movement is part of the department's effort to accelerate its momentum towards e-government systems that will bring benefits to employees, customers, lawyers, experts and other stakeholders. The archiving project at Abu Dhabi Judicial Department creates a robust and standardised system for archiving all the judicial documents electronically and ensures confidentiality and security. On an average, around 100,000 documents have been archived and the in-charge team manages to increase 150,000 per day. The IT department at the ADJD implemented the project in phases. In the first phase, the department will cover Abu Dhabi City and Western Region where all paper archives were migrated to electronic systems, involving First Instance, Appeals and Cassation Courts as well as prosecution cases. The work included scanning and categorization to ease up the retrieval process and display it to authorized users. The second phase covered Al Ain where all the cases were archived.

From Trade Arabia 10/06/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

e-Governance in All Districts of Tamil Nadu Soon

Soon Tamil Nadu will have fully computerised districts to promote e-governance in the state. While inaugurating the 43rd annual convention of the Computer Society of India (CSI) and the 25th South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation Conference, Chief Secretary K S Tripathy stated that the new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy of the State Government would aim at broadbasing the IT industry in the State as part of the efforts to bring development as an inclusive phenomenon.He stated that Tamil Nadu has a well-established e-governance network in place. The State Data Centre is being upgraded and it will be accessible to users soon. Already, all the blocks and taluks are e-connected. In the first phase, seven districts have been identified for the purpose." The Chief Secretary appealed to the captains of industry to ponder over green technology to reduce waste and increase production. The government's idea is to make technology reach the rural areas. The Government is making an efforts to set up Internet-enabled kiosks in 5400 villages in the State.

From Express Buzz 10/06/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

1 Lakh Common Service Centres by July 2009

Government plans to establish One Lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) in 600,000 villages, to provide IT enabled services to the people in the rural areas. Out of which 18,000 CSCs have already been set up. The CSC roll out is part of Department of Information technology's steps to support Infrastructure under the National E-Governance Plan for enabling anytime, anywhere delivery of government services. Department of Information Technology would provide calibrated support through policy interventions and appropriate financial support to create the basic infrastructure for these 100,000 proposed CSCs. All these CSCs are scheduled to be operational by July next year. Agencies for setting up of service Centres have been selected in most of the cases. In Jharkhand and Haryana, the roll out of the Centres is already complete while in Gujarat it will be completed soon. In other states like West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Orissa, Meghalaya and Tripura, a number of CSCs have already operational.Agreements have already been signed with the selected Service Centre Agencies (SCAs) for setting up of about 76,000 CSCs in several states. A maximum of 17,909 CSCs are proposed in Uttar Pradesh followed by 9,232 in Madhya Pradesh and 8558 in Orissa; 8,463 CSCs are to come up in Bihar and 6,626 in Rajasthan.

This Common Services Centre is an ICT-enabled Service Delivery outlet providing a range of services to the people in the village / town in which it is located. These Centres are being designed as ICT-enabled Kiosks having a PC along with basic support equipment like Printer, Scanner, UPS, with Wireless Connectivity as the backbone and additional equipment for edutainment, telemedicine, projection systems, etc. Approved by Government these Common Service Centre Scheme are being envisioned as the front-end delivery points for Government, private and social sector services to rural citizens in an integrated manner. The core objective being to provide a platform that can enable Government, private and social sector organizations to align their social and commercial goals for the benefit of the rural population in the remotest corners. Being implemented through a Public Private Partnership model, it has been approved at a total cost of Rs 5742 Cr. over 4 years, Out of which the Government of India is estimated to contribute Rs 856 Cr. and the State Governments Rs 793 Cr. The balance resources would be mobilized from the private sector. Through these network of access points, the Department of Information Technology of the Government of India is attempting to leverage the advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for the benefit of the citizens, especially those in rural and remote areas.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

INDIA: State to Replace Telegram with E-Post

E-post will replace old system of telegram service across the Indian state of Kerala, according to the state¡¯s Chief Post Master General (CPMG), Dr Udaya Balakrishnan. People will send and receive messages or scanned images through email from Post Offices of the Kerala Circle of the Indian Postal and Telegraph Department. Those who do not have access to internet will clearly benefit from this service as they will be able to send and receive email messages without possessing an email ID, leverage public communication systems faster than the telegram. The tariff for sending e-post messages by paid users using pre-paid cards will be Rs6 (US$ 0.12) per page and bulk discount will be given for multiple pages or recipients. Dr Balakrishnan said the speed post system would be introduced to every nook and corner of the state and other facilities would also be introduced.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 10/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

e-Enabled Government Municipal Corporation

Renewing trade licences and getting a building permission will no more be as time consuming and tiring as it is now. For the slow-paced manual work of the Government Municipal Corporation will soon make way for complete e-governance.Under the National Mission Mode Programme (NMMP)'s e-Bharat programme, the corporation would be empowered with most modern technologies to perform its work and 100 new e-kiosks would be opened up all over the city for the convenience of the people.Upon approval from the Central government, where the project was submitted on September 17, new kiosks would be developed all over the city with computers and other technical facilities. Even a new software would be installed to integrate data with all other kiosks and branches of the corporation. As for the total cost of this project, which is Rs 24 crore, the Government of India would pay Rs 15 crore, and the rest which is Rs 9 crore would be contributed by the Corporation out of its general fund.Once operational,all the office work including building permission, accounting, tendering, trade license, registration of birth and death among others, would be done through this system.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/17/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Software Product Certification for e-Governance Initiative

First of its kind in India, the Union ministry of communications and IT has decided to set up a certification facility for software security products,in Kolkata, according to BJ Srinath, senior director of the ministry's Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In). It would be an important initiative for state governments and various government institutions as it will create security zones for the various e-governance applications, thereby curbing cyber crimes in e-governance. The city already has a government testing centre for software products. Srinath further added, "We are creating necessary infrastructure in areas of testing and certification, which will save the Indian software developers working in security products the time and cost of getting certification from foreign countries. It will substantially lower the cost of development for Indian software companies." Security product certification at present is available in countries like Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. India does not have any certification infrastructure so far, the reason being presence of very few Indian software products. Total budget approved by the ministry for the accreditation and product testing facility is close to Rs 8 crore, said Srinath.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/21/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

e-Governance Projects - Status Report

According to the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology The major Schemes being implemented by the Department of Information Technology are the State Wide Area Network (SWAN) Scheme, the Common service Centre Scheme (CSC), the State Data Centre (SDC) Scheme the Capacity Building (CB) Scheme and the e-District Scheme. The State Government are responsible for the implementation of these Schemes under the overall supervision of the Department of Information Technology (DIT), Government of India. These Schemes are at various stages of implementation in the States. The status of various National e-Governance Plans (NeGP) uptil 30th September 2008, as per the information provided by the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in the Lok Sabha yesterday is as follows:

For the CSC scheme, total number of states and union teritories for which this programme was sanctioned was 27. And within these states total number of these CSCs aimed at was 108363. Total amount that was sanctioned for these CSCs was 1603.08 crores, and the total amount released from within the DIT share was 198.03 crore.And as an end result the total number of CSCs set-up has been 17,775.Next is the SWAN scheme updates, total number of states and union territories SWAN was sanctioned for was 33. The total amount sanctioned for this scheme was 2721.9 crore, out of which total amount released from within DIT quota for SWAN was 478.17 crore. And as the final stage of this scheme, this SWAN program is functional in five states out of the 33 states it was sanctioned for, while in other states this scheme is still under implementation.

For the SDC scheme, totol number of states it was sanctioned for initially was 23. And the total amount sanctioned for this was 1076.66 crore, out of which a total of 84.06 crores was released from within the DIT share. But this plan is still under implementation in all the states and union territories it was conceived for.Then is the Capacity Building Scheme which was initially sanctioned for a total of 35 states and union territories. The total amount sanctioned for this scheme was 62.9 crores, from which 52.13 crores was released within the DIT share. And this scheme is also still in the implementation within all the 35 states and union territories it has been sanctioned for.Last comes the e-District scheme, which was sanctioned for a total of 14 states and union territories. Within this scheme the total number of districts where pilots were undertaken was 35. Total amount sanctioned for this was 108.65 crores, out of which a total of 50.71 crores was released for this scheme from within the DIT share. This scheme is also still under the implementation stage within all the 14 states and union territories that it is planned to be undertaken.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/22/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Panchayat's Resolution on IT

At the Seventh Round Table of the State Ministers of Panchayati Raj it was resolved that capacity of Panchayats for fulfilling their constitutionally and legislatively mandated role would be strengthened through Information Technology & Communication. The information related to this Round Table was given by Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister for Panchayati Raj, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha yesterday. In keeping with the resolution adopted at this Seventh Round Table Conference, a proposal for extending I.T. support to all the Panchayats in the country has been formulated and is under consideration of the Government. Information from the Resolution of the Seventh Round Table of Ministers in-charge of Panchayati Raj held at Jaipur in December, 2004, was that it was recognized that IT (Information Technology and Communication) is a vital input of capacity for Panchayats so that they can perform their constitutionally and legislatively mandated functions better. Also, it ought to be primarily positioned as a decision making support system for Panchayats themselve ;a tool for transparency, disclosure of information to citizens; social audit; and also a means for better and convergent delivery of services to citizens. Apart from it, it is also a tool for improving internal management and efficiency of Panchayats;in addition to being a source for Capacity building and e-Procurement.In this endeavor, the Round Table specifically proposed initiatives like re-engineering;data Ownership; ensuring training of staff and Panchayati Raj members; development of common software application packages with provision for appropriate customization by states; and specifying of a framework for common standards for hardware. In the area of 'Infrastructure and connectivity' it has been recommended that the National Informatics Centre (NIC) expands its communication network, NICNET, to link all Panchayats at all levels by using State Wide Area Network funds provided by the Department of Information Technology, Government of India. For state governments it would be possible to approach ISRO for providing satellite based connectivity in all the states to enable connectivity of all Panchayats. The initial infrastructure cost could be considered to be met or supported by an infrastructure fund operated by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.In order to ensure the operationalization of the plan, the initiative of empowering Panchayats with IT capacity shall be treated on par with creating national infrastructure such as power, telecom and roads. And in this direction it becomes important to formulate a mission mode/empowered committee for IT enabled automation of Panchayat institutions with NIC and other solution providers, keeping in view the national e-governance action plan of the Government of India.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/23/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Delhi Best e-Governed State: Dataquest

Technology magazine Dataquest, has chosen Delhi as the best e-governed state in the country. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit received the award from Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah at an event held on 22nd October.The other winners included Lakshmi Narayanan of Cognizant Technology Solutions as IT person of the year, Sanjeev Bhikchandani of Naukri.com as the path-breaker of the year and D.B. Pathak of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Mumbai for lifetime achievement. Besides this other corporate awardees included Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Hewlett-Packard, NIIT, Microsoft, SAP, Cisco Systems, vCustomer, iGate, Ingram Micro, IBM India and Genpact.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/24/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Second Best State in e-Governance: HP after Delhi

Himachal Pradesh (HP) has been declared as the second best state in the country in e-governance, after Delhi. This premier award in the area of e-governance will be given to the state for providing the best IT related initiatives and providing efficient, transparent, cost effective and speedy government to government, government to citizen, government to business services. Speaker of Lok Sabha Somnath Chatterjee will give away the award during the 10th International Summit and Expo Power - 2008 to be held on November 8, in Mumbai. An assessment in this regard has been done by India Tech Foundation, Mumbai, on application of information technology (IT) and its use in government institutions.

Himachal Pradesh is the first state to launch state-wide area network in the entire country and added that a network operation centre has been set up to provide unified placement of data for the entire state at one place. All the 69 employment exchanges/sub employment exchanges in the state have been computerised. A web based job portal for all stakeholders ie employers, job seekers and the employment department has been started in the state. The state has taken a lead in the country in undertaking computerisation of 40 police stations under Common Integrated Police Application (CIPA) programme. The touch screen kiosks have been set up at various places in the state to provide common interface for various activities and all the 68000 employees working in the state would be trained in computerisation and IT related services. And the state government is making amendments in R&P (Recruitment and Promotion) rules in most departments to make IT literacy compulsory for promotion, confirmation and recruitment.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/30/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

US$250 Million Passport Project Launched in India

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India will be rolling out the Passport Seva Project (PSP), the largest mission-critical e-governance project valued at over US$205 million. The PSP would digitise the entire passport services lifestyle and allow online filing of applications. Applicants also have the alternative option of filling up the Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR)-enabled form which along with all relevant documents, will be scanned and submitted at Passport Facilitation Centres (PFC). The PFC will function as the primary hub that will support all activities like biometric capture, photograph, payment and verification and grant of passports in the presence of applicants for most cases. A call centre will also be established to provide applicants with the necessary information pertaining to passport procedures and the status of submitted requests. Also, grievances of citizens can be tracked through the system. The project will help speed up the process of issuing passports to citizens. Currently, it takes about 45 days from the date verification of information for issuance of a new passport under normal procedure and about 14 days under the Tatkal procedure.

The ministry aims to reduce the waiting time for a new passport to three working days while passports issued under the Tatkal scheme should be dispatched on the same day, subject to address and police verification of applicants. The nationwide roll-out of PSP will take place within six years and the government will also establish 77 Passport Filing centres across the country. According to Shivshankar Menon, Foreign Secretary at the MEA, "The Passport Seva Project, based on a public-private partnership model, aims to provide passport-related services to Indian citizens in a speedy, convenient and transparent manner. The sovereign and fiduciary function of granting and issuing passport remains with MEA while Tata Consultancy Services will be our technology and operations partner for this project." This will enable citizens to enjoy the benefits of a technology-led, service oriented approach to passports while ensuring that proper security, safety and safeguards are maintained.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 10/30/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Govt a Click Away in West Bengal

The Siliguri sub-division of West Bengal recently got its official website and thus became the first sub-division in West Bengal to have an official web address.The website ~ www.siliguri.gov.in ~ developed by the National Informatics Centre of the Union Ministry of Communications and IT, will soon be upgraded to a dynamic website, containing almost A-Z information pertaining to the civil administration and other utility services in Siliguri sub-division. The website also comprises of a host of information ranging from the sub-division's electoral details to transport information, hospital phone numbers to doctor contacts. The website also comprises of pages dedicated to each of the four development blocks in the sub-division, viz. ~ Matigara, Phansidewa, Naxalbari and Khoribari where one can get the name and contact details of the block officials, voter details and trivia of educational institutions in the block. Further the website also provides hyperlinks to various important government websites, airlines and the railways. Moreover, a dedicated POP3 email ID is provided there with the help of which a citizen can lodge grievances related to any government offices within the sub-division.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/31/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Call Center for Right to Information (RTI)

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Convention on Right to Information (RTI) yesterday, for which the theme was 'RTI and its Ramifications for Good Governance,' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the operationalisation of RTI shows a gradual but steady process of building a more accountable, transparent and citizen friendly governance. RTI Act is indicative of the process of maturing of our democracy and the assertion of people's power at various levels of governance. The Prime Minister further added that even as one celebrates individual empowerment through legislations like the Right to Information Act, one should not forget one's collective responsibilities and our national goals.Minister of State, Prithiraj Chauhan in his remarks said that RTI is an enabling tool for citizens. To make information under RTI available on phone, a pilot project on call center for RTI on phone has been approved, the Minister added.

The Central Information Commission has been organizing the Annual Convention every year since 2006. The Right to Information Act, 2005 creates many obligations on the State and the Central Government authorities for its implementation and sound monitoring. The convention will have seven technical sessions covering major aspects of governance. The present convention is being attended by representatives of Civil Society and media both from within the country and from SAARC countries. The two day deliberations are expected to produce documents of contemporary as well as long term relevance to South Asia. The various sessions are assigned to the issues like: "RTI and Transparent Governance","RTI - Need for a Different Strategy Specific to Rural Area", "RTI & Poverty Alleviation", "RTI and Protection of Individual Privacy", "Media, Civil Society and RTI; RTI in South Asia - An Overview and Current Assessment of RTI."

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/04/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

2008-09, Year of Capacity Building for e-Governance: North Eastern State

In another initiative towards promoting e-Governance in North-East India, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio declared 2008-09 as the Year of Capacity Building which will aim at reforms and renewing the system of governance and delivery of public services.Along with this, a two-day "Capacity Building Workshop on e-Governance" was also organised recently for outlining the road map of e-Governance in Nagaland. The workshop aimed at addressing the stakeholders such as legislators, policy-makers and senior government officials of Nagaland and it highlighted that the state is lagging on e-Governance and Information Technology (IT) domain in comparison to south Indian states. Governor of the state K Sankaranarayanan called upon the stekeholders to give priority to e-Governance in their respective departments for improving the service delivery system. It is been mentioned that the capacity building of all legislators, deputy commissioners and senior government officials will be done by providing them with laptop computers.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

INR 1,237 Crores to Be Released for State Data Centers

For a total outlay of INR 1,237 Crores The Department of Information Technology (DIT) has approved the establishment of State Data Centers (SDC) in 27 States/UTs (Union Territories). The States whose proposals have been approved are: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh & Mizoram. The DIT Share in this outlay is Rs 412 Crores, while the remaining 825 Crores will to be met through Additional Central Assistance (ACA). Through the State Data Centers, the Government seeks to create a common secure IT infrastructure to host state level e-Governance applications or data to enable seamless delivery of Government-to-Government (G2G),Government-to-Citizen (G2C) and Government-to-Business (G2B) services. These Centers will be supported by State Wide Area Network (SWAN) and Common Service Centers (CSC) established at the village level, as part of the e-Governance project. Once established, State Data Centre would provide many functionalities including Central Repository of the State, Secure Data Storage, Online Delivery of Services, Citizen Information/Services Portal, State Intranet Portal, Remote Management and Service Integration etc to enable seamless delivery of e- Governance services in the State. The progress of implementation of Data Centers is centrally being reviewed by the DIT with the States. It is expected that the Data Centers in about 12-15 States, shall be set up and operationalized by end June 2009. Data Centre in the remaining States and UTs shall be progressively implemented from August 2009 onwards and the entire exercise is expected to be completed by December 2009/March 2010. Typical time for implementation for State Data Centre is about 10 to 12 months. As the Data Centers shall be hosting critical and sensitive government data, the ownership, strategic control and management/preservation of the Data is being kept with the government. The Data Centre shall have all the physical and logic security components necessary from information security perspective, and will need to be ISO27001 certificated. Further, the security audit of the Data Centre has been mandated to be carried out once in six months by the States. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) would advise the states on security related framework to be put in place for SDC.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Gujarat Catching Up with e-Governance

Gujarat, under chief minister Narendra Modi, is now trying hard to catch up with IT initiatives. With Tata's Nano plant to the state's credit, Modi says the state is now well-poised to become a role model as far as e-governance is concerned, a factor which will help the state attract more investments into the ICT sector. As per the information provided by Modi, Gujarat has already deployed e-procurement in 118 government departments and organisations with total purchases of above Rs 15,000 crore per annum. Gujarat is also the first state to come up with a dedicated organisation to issue digital certificates for e-governance and e-business. Besides, this the state is using the Edusat programme to train students starting from primary school to engineering and medical colleges. According to a study conducted by Nasscom and A T Kearney, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Vadodara are seen as challengers, for many Indian and global IT firms like Satyam, MphasiS, TCS, Patni and L&T Infotech have already established their base in the state. Moreover, the eleventh edition of the state's IT event is being attended by over 100 companies including many Indian and global IT firms. Gujarat is participating in the three-day event as a partner state, and Mexico is the partner country for the event.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/12/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

SRI LANKA: E-pensions Project Takes Off

Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka has rolled out the government¡¯s ePensions project. To ensure timely disbursement of payments, a central database will now expedite the application processing, computation of pension grants and file tracking. ePensions project, an ambitious project of Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs and Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has just commenced its implementation phase by signing the contract with E-W Information Systems Ltd, 3i Infotech and hSenid Software International. As per the plans the system is to be developed and rolled out in Colombo, Moratuwa and Hanwella Divisional Secretariats within a year. Once the pilot phase is completed, based on the success, ICTA would roll-out the project island wide in a phased out manner. "This project is a tribute to the pensioner community, who had worked really hard towards the development of this country and now expecting the return from the country in their elderly age," says ICTA COO/Director Reshan Dewapura. The key responsibilities of the department are computation and payment of pension gratuities compensation and other retiring benefits to public officers, implement pension scheme for widows / widowers and orphans of state officers, compute and pay awards to non-pensionable monthly-paid public officers. "This project is a tribute to the pensioner community, who had worked really hard towards the development of this country and now expecting the return from the country in their elderly age.

"There are approximately 600,000 public sector pensioners and roughly Rs. 250 millions of funds are disbursed among them monthly as pensions payments. Although grants are worked out at the department of Pensions, the monthly payments are made at divisional secretariats which are scattered across the island. "There were number of attempts made to establish several small IT systems at the Department of Pensions to monitor the progress of the activities. However due to the absence of an integrated system which can expedite the application processing, computation of pension grants and file tracking, the department is experiencing long delays in application processing and attending to the pensioners¡¯ grievances," e-Pension Project Manager Thusha Mukunthan pointed out. The irregularities in various pension schemes have gone unattended as the complaints are numerous for the limited number of staff to attend. This has made it necessary for the pensioners to visit the Department of Pensions several times for attending to their pension issues. However, ePensions project envisages developing and implementing a comprehensive ICT solution to bridge this gap. This project would utilise the inputs of other e-Gov projects such as Lanka Government Network (LGN) and public sector ICT capacity building. The central database of the Department of Pensions would be kept updated with inputs from the Population Registry and Divisional Secretariats will be provided with up-to-date information from the central database. The data exchange between Department of Pensions and Divisional Secretariats would be accomplished by using data communication lines resulting in the up-to-date information at both ends.

From http://southasia.oneworld.net/ 10/15/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

PAKISTAN: Introduction of Latest Technology in Govt Sectors

LAHORE: The government wants to introduce the latest technology to surmount all problems concerning the education, health, power generation and infrastructure sectors, so that the country¡¯s standard of living can improve, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday. Shahbaz said that in addition to the improvement of healthcare facilities at all rural and basic health centres, the provision of medical cover through mobile clinic vans was also being considered. All power generation options will also be explored, including hydro, thermal and solar energy, he said at a meeting arranged by the West Asian Countries managing director and the chief executive officer in Punjab House, Islamabad. Shahbaz said that the government is mainly working to uplift the education, health and social sectors. He said that Pakistan is facing a severe power shortage, which has adversely affected the industrial and agricultural sectors. He added that the government was striving for rapid development in the health, education, information technology, water management and infrastructure sectors, and the use of modern technology had been ensured for this purpose. He added that equal attention was also being paid to the use of locally manufactured machinery, to save maximum foreign exchange. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) \chief Nawaz Sharif, and members of the national assembly (MNAs) Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Ahsan Iqbal were also present on the occasion. staff report LAHORE: The government wants to introduce the latest technology to surmount all problems concerning the education, health, power generation and infrastructure sectors, so that the country¡¯s standard of living can improve, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday.

Shahbaz said that in addition to the improvement of healthcare facilities at all rural and basic health centres, the provision of medical cover through mobile clinic vans was also being considered. All power generation options will also be explored, including hydro, thermal and solar energy, he said at a meeting arranged by the West Asian Countries managing director and the chief executive officer in Punjab House, Islamabad. Shahbaz said that the government is mainly working to uplift the education, health and social sectors. He said that Pakistan is facing a severe power shortage, which has adversely affected the industrial and agricultural sectors. He added that the government was striving for rapid development in the health, education, information technology, water management and infrastructure sectors, and the use of modern technology had been ensured for this purpose. He added that equal attention was also being paid to the use of locally manufactured machinery, to save maximum foreign exchange. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) \chief Nawaz Sharif, and members of the national assembly (MNAs) Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Ahsan Iqbal were also present on the occasion.

From http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/ 09/05/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

PSEB Conducts Training Programme for IT Professionals

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has conducted Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) training programme for information technology (IT) professionals of leading public and private IT companies. Thirty IT professionals participated in this nine-day training held in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, which was organised free of cost under the PSEB's project Open Source Resource Centre (OSRC). The programme aimed at convincing the companies, public/private organisations, institutes and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to migrate to a more cost-effective open source-working environment. Participants of the training programme included industry's experienced IT personnel, network and system administrators, IT managers, telecom industry network engineers, IT consultants and experienced professionals working in a Linux/UNIX environment with IT companies in Pakistan, PSEB spokesman said in a statement. The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) collaborated with Techno-Ed (Pvt) Limited, a RHCE International-recommended local partner and the only authorised international partner of RHCE in Pakistan. The participants will be certified after passing the RHCE examination to be held in October 2008 for which international invigilators will be visiting Pakistan. Ten experienced professionals from each city were selected from the pool of applicants after careful scrutiny. The trainees were from leading public and private companies such as Air Weapons Complex, Alcatel-Lucent Pakistan, Crest Garments, Higher Education Commission, Infotech, Jaffer Brothers (Pvt) Limited, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Micronet Broadband (Pvt) Limited, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Information Technology, Muslim Commercial Bank Limited, National Defence College, Netsoft Solutions, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal, and Worldcall Telecomm. Such trainings would help build capacity in the growing IT sector, said PSEB spokesman, adding that the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) would conduct more such programmes to provide local sector with the international technical expertise.

From http://www.brecorder.com/ 09/17/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Information Officers to Be Provided IT Training: Marri

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marri has said that the officers of the Information Department would be provided with training of computers and information Technology so as to enable them to discharge their professional duties more effectively. She said this while addressing the officers of the Information Department here on Monday. The Secretary Information Syed Hashim Raza Zaidi, Director General Syed Safdar Ali Shah, Director Press Information S M Iqbal and Directors of various sections of Information Department were also present on the occasion. The Minister said that it was essential to enhance technical skills of officers and officials for overall improvement in the functioning of the Department. Their enhanced skills will also be helpful in provision of better facilities to the media men, she added. Marri said that Information Department was the most important Department of the Sindh government as it projects and highlights various endeavours and policies announced by the government, from time to time. It also acts as facilitator for the media men in discharging their professional duties, she added.

From http://www.brecorder.com/ 10/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Pakistan 131st in e-Governance Readiness

As per a report released by the United Nations named "United Nations Survey 2008; from e-Governance to Connected Governance", in e-Governance Readiness for Southern Asia, Pakistan ranks 5th out of nine countries of SARAC, with Maldives, Sri Lanka, Iran and India placed ahead of it. And amongst all the countries across the world, Pakistan ranks 131st with underdeveloped countries like Angola, Algeria, Kenya, Suriname, and Namibia positioned above it. And this situation is so despite the allocation of Rs 25.88 billion by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication Division for e-governance in Pakistan Further in Web Assessment 2008, Pakistan is ranked 70, with underdeveloped countries like Jordan, Angola and Mauritius lying ahead of Pakistan. Within the list of the 'Head of State Websites that Encourage Citizen Engagement', Pakistan is ranked below Bangladesh, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Honduras, Indonesia, New Guinea, Philippines, Vietnam and many other lesser known African countries like Togo, Uganda, Nevis, Cameroon, Congo, Namibia, Niger and Nigeria. Moreover, in e-Participation Index, Pakistan is ranked 98 with Mauritania, Mauritius, Angola and Cambodia (least developed country of Asia) having better position in e-participation.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 10/31/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

TAJIKISTAN: Sughd Residents Now May Contact Governor by E-Mail

To make activities of the local authorities more transparent the Sughd governor Qohir Rasoulzoda has launched his e-mail, according to the Sughd information analysis department. Sughd residents now may send their applications, remarks and complaints about illegal actions of local officials to the governor¡¯s e-mail: info@sughd.tj. According to the information analysis department, they will consider only those messages that will contain sender¡¯s details. "Anonymous messages will not be considered," the source at the information analysis department said. (by Mavlouda Rafiyeva)

From http://www.asiaplus.tj/ 10/02/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

UZBEKISTAN: UNDP ICTP Helps Uzbek Officials to Study E-Government Experience of Switzerland

During 28 September - 4 October 2008, UNDP ICTP project organized a study tour for government officials on e-government and government portal development experience in Switzerland as part of a continued commitment to the promotion and implementation of e-government in Uzbekistan, the project said on 13 October. The study tour was organized in close cooperation with the e-Government section of Federal Chancellery of Switzerland, directly involved in development and implementation of national e-government strategy. During the study tour the delegation from Uzbekistan, comprised of representatives of Cabinet of Ministers, Ministry of Economy, UZINFOCOM Computerization and Information Technologies Developing Center and ICTP project, visited key organizations and institutions involved in e-government development in Switzerland (Federal Chancellery, Town of Biel-Bienne, CTI Geneva, Federal Office of Communications, Federal Strategy Unit for IT, Federal Justice Office, Federal Archives, Bedag) operating and implementing e-government initiatives in Switzerland at both federal and canton levels that allowed to explore the e-government in Switzerland from different perspectives. The experts of visited organizations did an excellent job explaining respective areas of specialization and engaging the members of delegation, who had an excellent exposure to insights of planning and setting up the e-government in Switzerland.

The particular thematic areas covered during the presentations, practical demonstrations and discussions included: * Swiss e-government strategy and its implications; * Financial, technical (standards, platforms, systems, software applications, modules, etc.) and organizational issues associated with development and maintenance of Swiss Government Portal (www.ch.ch), implementation of G2G, G2B and G2C services on Swiss Portal; * Local authority software solutions enabling provision of e-government services in Biel; * Activities of Center for Information Technologies responsible for ICT support of all government institutions in Canton of Gen¨¨ve. * Program "The Administration online" of Canton of Gen¨¨ve. * Electronic Signature and its development and implications in Switzerland * Activities of Federal Office of Communications * Various e-government projects and e-government solutions including Citizen Registration System, Parking Permit System, e-Licensing and e-Justice Projects * Information Lifecycle Management at the Swiss Federal Archives. Currently, the Republic of Uzbekistan has established a legal framework and implemented some activities aimed at development and implementation of e-government; since 2003 the Government Internet portal of Uzbekistan (www.gov.uz) has been launched. Under the UZINFOCOM center of Communications and Information Agency of Uzbekistan, the special Gov.Uz group was established.

However, still lots of work need to be done to make the portal fully people-centric, thus the issues associated with long-term development strategy and sustainability exist. In this regards, it is expected that the study tour will establish the foundations for development and approval by the Government of Concept of further development and improvement of government portal, in particular, and e-government, in general. It is planned that Gov.uz portal development plans and content structure, including supporting technical (hardware and software) infrastructure will be revised, based on Swiss experience, to make it more user friendly and people-centric. Overall, the study tour demonstrated that the Strategy of e-government development in Uzbekistan should be in place that would represent the government's vision in the area and define priorities of e-government development. Moreover, there is a necessity to widen e-government educational and promotional campaigns targeting mainly government agencies, small and medium sized enterprises, educational establishments and citizens. The use of commons standards (with emphasis on Open standards) and platforms for formation, storage and usage of information resources and information systems by government institutions is suggested as in important prerequisite towards e-government development in Uzbekistan.

To enable this, the legal base should be further strengthened and properly implemented; the data exchange mechanisms between different government institutions should be further strengthened. Of course, all above mentioned tasks and activities should be supported, first of all, by activities towards universal computerization of the country and rising of computer literacy, especially in the rural areas. The ICT infrastructure at all levels should be further developed enabling wide access (through reduction of tariffs, increase in number of public access points, increase in broadband connectivity) to the Internet and its services. E-government study tour enabled to launch direct contacts with Swiss experts in e-government field, in particular, and in ICT field, in general, and to get acquainted with the current status and challenges of e-government implementation in Switzerland. Although it is clear that every country has to work out its own model of e-government introduction and implementation, the extensive experience of Switzerland can be used to avoid possible risks and challenges. ICTP supported government delegates were able to explore and learn the best practices and to explore areas of further cooperation in the field.

From http://business.uzreport.com/ 10/15/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

AUSTRALIA: Govt ICT Review to Be Completed

UK-based government productivity expert set to unveil IT spending recommendations. Sir Peter Gershon is back in Australia for the month of August to complete the independent review into the Australian Government¡¯s use and management of ICT. This week Gershon is continuing to hold bilateral discussions with industry and Australian Government agencies prior to finalising his recommendations. Lindsay Tanner said: "The Government has asked Sir Peter to develop a new model for spending and operating ICT systems in the Australian Government that strikes a balance between whole-of-government coordination and individual agency autonomy and flexibility."

"Sir Peter and the Review Secretariat are in close consultation with government agencies and industry in establishing a holistic view of the current state of play in the Australian Government ICT sector." "Sir Peter is considering a vast array of data, views and experiences in line with his evidence-based approach to the Review. We look forward to hearing his views on the Australian Government¡¯s use and management of ICT, and to his recommendations on how to improve efficiency and effectiveness in this critical area of government." Gershon will report to the Government on the findings and recommendations of the review at the end of the month.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 08/25/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

NSW Govt Launches Single Phone Number for Services

The New South Wales state government in Australia has announced the launch of a single telephone number to access government services, building on the success of the Connecting NSW web site. Premier Morris Iemma said the launch of ¡®Connecting NSW¡¯ fulfils an election commitment to deliver a single telephone number - 133 NSW (133 679) - that people can call to access NSW Government services and information. "This is about improving the way we deliver services - making it easier for families to access the information they need," Iemma said. "It can sometimes be difficult to know where to look for information about Government services, whether it¡¯s as simple as school holiday dates or as critical as where to report pollution." Iemma adds, "This new service saves the hassle of searching the phone book for a specific government service or an agency whose name you don¡¯t know. So if you don¡¯t know who to call, call 133 NSW and we¡¯ll help you."

For the cost of a local call you can now get up-to-date information from any of the more than 1700 services run by the Iemma Government. Also, the enhanced website would complement the 133 679 number by providing a single online point of entry for information about Government services. According to Iemma, the web site obtains more than 250,000 hits a month and is an important tool in keeping people informed about government services. "The new web site features improved search and navigation functions to make it easier to find the information people need. It also marks the launch of a baby name service which gives parents a chance to explore the history of baby¡¯s names in NSW," Iemma said. The 100 Years of Baby Names web page allows parents to plot the popularity of children¡¯s names over a century and is an interactive visual record of baby names in NSW.

"For instance, if your name is Grace or Harry, chances are you are 80 years or older or you¡¯re still at school. Names like Arthur, which averaged almost 800 per year in the 1910s, have all but disappeared from prominence while John was by far the most common name in the 1940s but is now rare in the state¡¯s classrooms," explains Iemma. Minister for Commerce Eric Roozendaal joined Iemma at the launch and said the new website would be continually updated to provide the latest information. "The next phase of developing the website will allow people to customise it and use it as their home page to display information they want, like train and bus timetables, licence information or jobs and careers pages," Roozendaal said. "We know that if a website is relevant and easy to access, more people are likely to use it, so that¡¯s why we want to make nsw.gov.au as personalised as possible."

Roozendaal noted the top 10 list of government web sites:
Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW
NSW Lotteries
CityRail
Transport Infoline
NSW Department of Education and Training
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Visit New South Wales
jobs.NSW
Board of Studies NSW
NSW Department of Health

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 08/26/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Shared Services Agency for NSW Govt

The New South Wales state government has created a new shared services agency that will, among other things, provide centralised IT services to a large number of departments and agencies. Dubbed ¡®ServiceFirst¡¯, the agency¡¯s web site states it has about 540 staff providing services to about 80 agencies with approximately 8,800 staff. It was created over the past few months from the previous CCSU, CSS and Department of Commerce Shared Services branches. The services listed on the site include a range of IT offerings including desktop support and service centre, web hosting, application management, security and risk management and data centre services. The creation of the department has also seen a number of senior technology staff within the state government shunted into supporting roles.

For example, former Department of Commerce information management and technology general manager Geoff Tye has taken the role of General Manager, strategic IT within the agency. And Wayne Houston, previously with the Department of Primary Industry and Natural Resources and the Department of Education and Training will be ServiceFirst¡¯s Chief Information Officer (CIO). The Department of Commerce has repeatedly declined to make whole of government CIO Emmanuel Rodriguez available to comment on the progress of the state¡¯s wide-ranging People First technology consolidation program. Rodriguez has declined to comment publicly in detail on the plan since he took up the position in November 2007.

Also, the creation of the agency has raised questions about the fate of BusinessLink, an agency within Commerce which fulfills a similar role to ServiceFirst. BusinessLink provides shared corporate services to the three human services agencies in NSW, the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC), Department of Community Services (DoCS) and Housing NSW (Housing). BusinessLink was formed under the NSW Government program in late 2002 to reform corporate services across the public sector. At these agencies, BusinessLink supports more than 16,000 employees in almost 400 locations. It is not known if there are any plans to merge the two entities, but both agencies are located within the Department of Commerce and perform essentially identical roles, albeit for different client groups. If they were to merge, the resulting agency would certainly change the face of the NSW Government ICT market and introduce another powerful buyer into the mix. According to ServiceFirst¡¯s governance model, its advisory board will be directly answerable to Commerce¡¯s Director-General and Minister for Commerce.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 09/30/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

NEW ZEALAND: 2011 Census to Be Offered Online: Stats NZ

The 2011 New Zealand census will be offered online Statistics New Zealand has confirmed with announcement of a detailed ROI document and briefing for vendors able to undertake the massive project to be delivered early October. Statistics New Zealand says it has now been given the go ahead to offer New Zealanders the option of filling out a traditional paper census form in 2011 or to deliver their answers online. It is now working to find a vendor capable of delivering application development, web application hosting and support services to make the online option possible. The first stage of that search will be the release of a detailed Request for Information document by October 1, followed by a briefing session to be held on October 10 at Statistics House in Wellington. Stats NZ says a Request for Proposal document will follow in the New Year and will be distributed to vendors shortlisted from the ROI. That document is expected to go out no later than January 12.

The decision to deliver the 2011 census online follows a trial held during the 2006 census. Although it was not widely promoted, over 45,000 Dwelling forms and 127,000 Individual forms were submitted online. That was only 45 per cent of the projected number of online returns, which had disappointed developers of the system. However, it is confident that with better promotion, increased uptake of broadband in New Zealand and growing familiarity with online processes, there will be much grater demand for an online option in the 2011 census. Security will be a key issue. Previously, authentication was based on dwellings and Stats NZ says it has no plans to change that system for 2011. For the 2011 project the census taker wants to contract a prime vendor that will be responsible for developing, integrating, implementing, operating and supporting the Internet Collection System (ICS). It says there are a number of inherent risks around performance, scalability, security of access and information and the ability of the ICS to cope with very high loading is a key requirement of the project.

Issues to be covered during the October 10 briefing will include:
1. Introduction to Statistics New Zealand and the 2011 Census
2. High level overview of the 2011 Census collection operation
3. Overview of the ICS requirements for the 2011 Census collection operation
4. Question & answer session.
Stats NZ says those unable to attend the briefing will not be penalised during the evaluation process, although if vendors want to take part they need to sign up for the session by October 8. Copies of the presentation will be available after October 15. For further information, contact Craig Lange at Census Development within Statistics New Zealand. Email: censusmgmt@stats.govt.nz

From http://www.itbrief.co.nz/ 09/12/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Wellington Regional Council Eyes Real-Time Transport Information

The Greater Wellington Regional Council wants to increase the use of public transport and is signalling that the purchase of a Real Time Passenger Information system will be a key part of that aim. In an Expression of Interest document released today, the Council says it will jointly fund a Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) system with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and plans to release a Request for Tender by the end of the year. First, however, it wants to gauge market interest and register interested providers in order to help it develop technical specifications to be used in discussions with other local and regional councils. It also wants to provide notice to the market of the impending tender. However, the Council is also warning that organisations that do not register an Expression of Interest may be excluded from a future Request for Tender (RFT) process and that no further public announcement for prospective suppliers will be made.

The scope of the system will include:
Real time location tracking of all public transport buses, including trolley buses (approximately 500)
Real time location tracking of all commuter trains (approximately 90 units)
Fixed and wireless communications systems
Public information displays (approximately 250 during stage one)
Traffic Signal Priority;
Data feeds for real time arrival estimates for every public transport stop (approximately 2500) to the public transport website www.metlink.org.nz and SMS services
Companies responding to the EOI must provide details of experience in similar projects, the technical skills of key staff and details of organisational structure.

The deadline for submissions is 11am October 13. Questions relating to the EOI will be accepted until 5pm October 6 and will be managed only through TenderLink. Register at www.lgtenders.co.nz to use the service. Clarification can also be obtained through Anke Kole, project leader real time information, Public Transport Division at the Greater Wellington Regional Council. Email: anke.kole@gw.govt.nz

From http://www.itbrief.co.nz/ 09/16/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Government Backs Digital Content

Economic Development Minister Pete Hodgson and Communications and Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe announced today government funding of up to $2 million over two years to the Auckland Regional Council for the region¡¯s digital content sector. "Growing this sector significantly contributes to New Zealand¡¯s economic transformation. The digital content sector extends well beyond the traditional high profile entertainment and is of significant strategic importance to New Zealand. It stretches into health IT, Biotech, manufacturing and marine," Pete Hodgson said. The funding is for the Digital Content Sector Development Initiative, developed by the council¡¯s economic development unit, AucklandPlus, in consultation with the industry. The initiative is designed to address key issues in the industry including improving collaboration, building capability and increasing commercialisation.

"Parts of New Zealand¡¯s digital content sector lead the world in their specialist areas, but recent studies of the sector have identified both challenges and opportunities for its innovation and growth," Pete Hodgson said. "Digital content is an international high-growth sector. Through New Zealand¡¯s Digital Strategy we are committed to helping Kiwis create, share and use new digital content," said David Cunliffe. "This Auckland initiative and other regional initiatives for the digital content sector being progressed by Grow Wellington and Canterbury Development Corporation,
will help kick-start a more integrated national approach to developing our digital content industry - a key action identified in the government¡¯s Digital Strategy 2.0."

Mr Hodgson said government work now underway to build such a national approach to the digital content sector includes: developing a business case for a national sector entity working on a strategic plan between industry and government, in partnership with key industry groups such as Creative Digital Content Auckland and the NZ Games Animation and Visual Effects Trust examining the options for co-production or other specific investment funding for the sector. action plans for developing significant opportunities in the interactive gaming, e-learning, digital entertainment and geospatial industries. "Through such work the government is committed to making New Zealanders leaders in the digital world," Mr Cunliffe concluded.

From http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ 09/23/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

NZ Parliament to Replace SANs, Tape Library

The New Zealand Parliament wants to hear from vendors capable of replacing one of two storage area networks housed in Wellington, although it is likely the successful vendor will also be contracted to replace a disaster recovery SAN and tape library back up facility. Parliamentary Services currently operates two SANs, one attached to its production VMware server environment and the other attached to its Disaster Recovery VMware environment. It is the production SAN the Service currently needs to replace, as this will soon be out of its maximum support period. 3.However, the DR SAN is due to be moved to a DR hosting facility in Auckland next fiscal year and it is anticipated that the supplier selected to replace the production SAN will also be the preferred supplier for the DR SAN.

1.Finally, the Parliamentary Service's current LTO3 tape library backup facility can no longer reliably complete backups within the available backup window and this also needs to be replaced. The contract will include provision and installation of: SAN equipment for the production server environment and a suitable backup facility for Parliamentary Service's IT services; technical training to system administrators; and provision of on-going service and maintenance requirements. Questions regarding the RFP should be made to ICT operations manager Alan Hasell at alan.hasell@parliament.govt.nz by October 21. The RFP closes on October 28 and suppliers will be notified by November 17.

From http://www.itbrief.co.nz/ 10/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Health Ministry to Create Single Medical ID System

The Ministry of Health looks set to go ahead with a single patient and supplier ID system to be rolled out to the health and disability sector nationwide. In a Request for Proposals released yesterday, the Ministry says it is seeking to "implement an Identity Data Service Solution on a common technology platform to establish a single, authoritative source of recipient, provider and address information for sector-wide use". There are currently six types of identity data available through a number of different and un-reconciled systems. The Ministry says its goal of the project is to provide a "cornerstone of future health initiatives for every New Zealander - supplying secure identification numbers for use within health and disability services". The RFP comes just under a year since the ministry first raised the idea via a January 2008 Request for Information.

The Identity Data Service Solution project has also affected other health ministry IT projects, with a nationwide payments system first proposed in May 2007 put on hold until a decision was made on the Ministry's overall IT direction. A major factor in that direction was implementation of single patient and provider identifier. The single identifier project will consolidate the National Health Index (NHI) number assigned to every patient in New Zealand and the Health Provider Index (HPI) that identifies all health practitioners, organisations and facilities. Approximately 98 per cent of New Zealanders have a NHI number and around 150,000 new NHI records are created each year.

Key objectives are:
to implement an accurate and accessible single authoritative source of recipient identity data;
to implement an accurate and accessible single authoritative source of provider identity data;
to implement a single authoritative reference source of accurate address data, for Sector-wide use; and
to implement quality driven management across all identity data to enable improved data quality within the operation of the proposed new Identity Data Management Service.
This covers three existing projects within the Ministry's Recipient and Provider Identity Services Programme:

Recipient Identity and Business Fields Project. This will provide a single authoritative source of trusted recipient identity and business related information to authorised stakeholders of the Health and Disability Sector. Provider, Roles and Relationships Project. This provides a single authoritative source of trusted information about health provider identity and relationships between indexed persons, organisations and facilities. Address Reference Data Service project. This provides a single source of information regarding address and geospatial location data, the Health Address Register (HAR), and the means of accessing information by appropriately authorised systems. Vendors have until December 10 to register their interest and until 4pm, 26 January 2009 to submit proposals. The Ministry says short-listed respondents will be notified by February 9, with preferred respondents notified by March 9. The successful vendor will be selected by April 6, 2009. General enquiries relating to the RFP should be directed to RFP co-ordinator Vicki Hogg at: IdentityRFP@moh.govt.nz

From http://www.itbrief.co.nz 11/13/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Stephen Joyce Named Minister of Communications

As widely predicted, relative political novice Stephen Joyce has been named as New Zealand's new communications minister to take over from outgoing Labour cabinet minister David Cunliffe. Joyce has also been handed the associate infrastructure and associate finance portfolios in John Key's cabinet line-up announced today. Deputy PM, Bill English will be Minister for Infrastructure, as well as finance minister and together the two will oversee National's $1.5 billion ultra fast broadband election promise. The Chief Executive of Jasons Travel Media Limited, Joyce first became involved with the National Party in 2002 when he chaired the party's Campaign Review following the 2002 election and then its Strategic Review. This led to a full reorganisation of the party in April 2003.

He was the party's first general manager, leading it through to the 2005 election and then managed National's 2005 election campaign. He was number 16 on National's Party List in 2008. Long time National communications shadow minister Maurice Williamson now sits outside cabinet as Minister for Building and Construction, Minister of Customs, Minister of Statistics and Minister for Small Business.

From http://www.itbrief.co.nz/ 11/17/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

'Eldy', the first freeware to bring the computer and Internet to the elderly, has released a Linux version, thus allowing a lower cost of ownership for the computer. Counting over 150 000 users in Italy, Eldy is a java platform enabling seniors to use email, browse the web, chat, get weather information, see digital pictures, streaming, etc, in a clear Graphical User Interface (GUI), with big labels in a friendly language.

Until now, Eldy was for MS Windows only. The release of the Linux version allows the Eldy platform to be used in different environments. Eldy Linux, as Eldy itself, is free of charge and free of commercials. A particular application is the "trashware", the re-use of old computers for new uses, which typically recalls for the Linux environment. Some computers from Public Administration offices can be easily recycled for library or social centres, using Linux and Eldy Linux. Lowering the cost of ownership of a computer is seen as an important way to achieve eInclusion.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 09/22/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Prototype IDABC eInvoicing and eOrdering Project Ready

The European Commission IDABC eInvoicing and eOrdering project team has recently reached an important milestone: the delivery of the prototype. It allows the sending of an XML invoice to the Commission's e-PRIOR system and the automatic integration in the back-office system after a number of validations. The major next step is a real-life pilot with a number of IT suppliers. The e-PRIOR (electronic PRocurement, Invoicing and ORdering) prototype has been developed inside the Commission¡¯s infrastructure and is hosted in its datacentre. The prototype currently supports:

the sending of an XML invoice through secured web services;
the sending of a separate attachment;
the sending of a status request message, which returns the status of the invoice.
User access, logging and a business document viewer have also been implemented.

The prototype was demonstrated to the IDABC programme¡¯s Technical Working Group and formally endorsed by the ¡®Pan-European eGovernment Services Committee¡¯ (PEGSCO) which is the IDABC programme¡¯s management committee. This means that the next project phase can start. This phase includes:
Running a real-life pilot with a number of existing IT and telecom suppliers;
Organising a post-pilot workshop to share the lessons learnt of the pilot;
Developing additional use cases, including disputes and credit notes;
Analysing the eOrdering process.
This phase should be completed before the summer holiday of 2009. During the final phase, the pilot will be extended with the additional use cases whilst the eOrdering process is being developed.

As a final step, all project deliverables will be packaged for dissemination. Collaboration with other eInvoicing and standardization initiatives is seen as very important, and contributions have been made to:
The Expert Group on eInvoicing
The PEPPOL project
The CEN/BII workshop, where the IDABC eInvoicing and eOrdering project team is now even chairing the subgroup working on the usage of code tables. A major contribution has been made towards the redefinition of the profiles, making them modular and complementary, resulting in decoupling the profiles from any message standard like UBL or UN/CEFACT.

Where applicable or possible, concepts and tools have been re-used from Member States, such as the NES/UBL XML formats and profiles, stylesheets and validator tools. Member States will equally be able to re-use deliverables and results from this project, such as XML definitions, stylesheets, approaches or concepts, programming code and architecture documents.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 11/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

European Electronic Invoicing Platform Introduced

Following its eInvoicing initiative ¡®Platform ELFA¡¯ in the Netherlands, Dutch-based Factuurwijzer.nl has recently set off activities in the European eInvoicing field. The aim is to raise awareness of eInvoicing while improving its implementation through the European Electronic Invoicing Platform (EEI). The growth of eInvoicing allows everyone to benefit from the great advantages of electronic invoicing compared to paper invoicing. The EEI Platform aims to support the implementation of eInvoicing through online participation and cooperation between individual companies, trade organisations and the public sector.

In addition, participants will benefit from the results achieved by a wide range of activities, namely, publicity, implementation, standardisation, accreditation and promotion. Currently, a lot of effort is devoted to composing a strong international group of Founding Partners which will form the roots of this initiative. Meanwhile, over ten organisations have signed up as Founding Partners, or participants with the EEI Platform. EEI Platform is a variant of the Dutch Electronic Invoicing Platform (ELFA), a grouping of organisations directly or indirectly linked to electronic invoicing: software providers, industry associations, government institutions and users.

In the Netherlands, the ELFA platform plays an important part in the implementation process of eBilling while providing substantial information, news and background documentation through its interactive website. In addition, it is possible for audiences to communicate with each other on eInvoicing and related topics via several social tools. Participation in the EEI Platform is not only suitable for specialists such as billing service providers. It is also possible for users, banks, public institutions, educational institutions and industry associations to join and benefit from this initiative. Furthermore, organisations whose activities are neighbouring the main sectors, such as credit-management organisations and financial institutions, are also invited to participate.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 11/12/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Enterprise Card Will Cut Red Tape in Portugal

To further reduce the administrative paperwork and costs involved in setting up a company, Portugal is introducing an ¡®enterprise card¡¯ with built-in electronic certification. Along with the new cards, the Portuguese government also announced the expansion of its ¡®Enterprise in an Hour¡¯ programme which is cutting the administrative burdens and costs associated with business start-ups. The Enterprise Card will replace two current documents certifying a firm¡¯s legal identity and fiscal identity. It will cost €14, which is 64 % less than what companies have to pay for the two certificates.

The cards will give online access to the registers of commerce, using built-in access codes. These codes will provide a form of permanent certification, reducing paperwork. For instance, a firm will be able to apply on-line for a building permit. Use of the Enterprise Card will be optional. The first cards will be issued during the last three months of 2008. This July, 72 % of the firms created in Portugal used the Enterprise in an Hour procedure; 11 % did so online. New legislation has established an Information System for the Portuguese Classification of Economic Activities (SICAE). Its task is to simplify the flow of information between companies and public administrations.

From http://www.epractice.eu/ 09/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

NORTH AMERICA: US Postal Service Reduces Costs with Transportation Scenario Analysis

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has realised over US$5 million in annual savings through a strategic transportation management initiative. Developed by USPS and IBM using ILOG CPLEXR optimisation software, the Highway Corridor Analytic Program (HCAP) uses advanced technology to analyse USPS highway transportation scenarios and identify cost-saving opportunities. The HCAP model examines routing and scheduling options to minimise costs while meeting business goals - leading to a savings of over US$10 million in the two years since the model was deployed in 2006. The USPS transportation network is large and complex - including responsibility for shipping over 200 billion pieces of mail per year through a system of transportation networks - and accommodates many different levels of services to its customers.

The USPS network must consider different classes of mail, including Priority, First Class, and Standard, as well as different types of mail, such as letters, flats, and parcels. These complexities of various mail sizes, weights, and classes, coupled with the large scale of the USPS network, create a challenging environment in which to plan and manage transportation. To address these challenges, the HCAP model uses specialised optimisation technology to identify the best allocation of mail among transportation resources. Optimisation technology enables quick calculation of the best possible usage of resources - including vehicles, people, time, processes, equipment, raw materials, supplies, capacity, and securities - needed to achieve a desired business result, such as minimising cost or process time or maximising throughput, service levels, or profits.

"The USPS operates in a very unique business environment, where the overall size of operations and the inherent logistical complexities create significant challenges in managing the transportation network," said E.J. Matto, Associate Partner, IBM. "Using optimisation technology for the transportation model helps the USPS uncover opportunities to streamline areas of long-haul transportation through consolidation." The HCAP initiative helps to identify opportunities to consolidate trucks to maximise use of resources without sacrificing service levels. In addition, USPS is provided with the most efficient plan for using existing transportation assets, accounting for specified parameters, such as routes, delivery time, truck capacity restrictions, and mail class. The size of a typical scenario is bound by approximately 15,000 business constraints and 3200 variables. The programme¡¯s model can be applied to a wide variety of scenarios to ensure timely delivery of mail, while not exceeding truck capacity or violating routes.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 09/15/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Google Launches Web Browser

A new internet browser is entering the market, expected to heat up the already fierce competition between Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla FireFox. Chrome, as the open source application is called, is designed to be "lightweight and fast, and to cope with the next generation of web applications that rely on graphics and multimedia". Explaining the rationale behind this launch, Sunda Pichai, Google¡¯s VP for Product management wrote on the company¡¯s blog: "We believe we can add value for users and, at the same time, help drive innovation on the web." Releasing the beta for Windows in more than 100 countries on Tuesday (2nd September), Google is also working on Linux and Mac versions, which will be introduced at a later stage, according to Pichai.

Google Chrome has a combined search and address bar; and it offers snapshots of the user¡¯s most-visited sites, recent searches and bookmarks, "making it even easier to navigate the web." At core of Google Chrome is a multi-process platform where each browser tab operates as a separate process. By isolating tabs, should one tab crash or misbehave, others remain stable and responsive, allowing user to continue working without having to restart the application. A new JavaScript engine, V8, is built in to speed up today¡¯s web applications, and enable more web applications that couldn¡¯t exist on today¡¯s browsers. The new browser is expected to help Google take advantage of developments it is pushing online in rich web applications that are challenging traditional desktop programmes.

"We realised that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser," Pichai says. "What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that¡¯s what we set out to build." Over the past decade, Google has developed a suite of web applications which offer functionality that might replace offline software in document management, photo sharing, instant messaging, personal medical record and many other areas. Currently, Microsoft¡¯s Internet Explorer holds 80 per cent of the market.

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 09/02/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

New Web Specs to Improve Interoperability

Previous better known for their competitiveness on the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) space, IBM, EMC and Microsoft have come together to provide customers with a web spec that improves the process. Known as the Content Management Interoperability Services (CMIS), it enables applications to interoperate with multiple ECM repositories by different vendors. The goal of CMIS is to reduce the IT burden around multi-vendor and multi-repository content management environments. Currently, customers must spend time and money to create and maintain custom integration code and one-off integrations just to get different ECM systems within their organisations to communicate with one another. This new specification will also benefit independent software vendors by allowing them to create specialised applications that can run over a variety of content management systems.

The companies intend to submit the CMIS specification to OASIS (Organisation for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) for advancement through its standards development process. Laurent Liscia Executive Director of OASIS says the three companies deserve an applaud for "reaching this milestone and for choosing to take the next step and advance this important work through an open standards process". "We look forward to furthering the evolution of CMIS from specification to standard and to promoting the broadest possible industry adoption through education and implementation efforts."

The CMIS interface:
Is designed to work over existing repositories enabling customers to build and leverage applications against multiple repositories - unlocking content they already have
De-couples web services and content from the content management repository, enabling customers to manage content independently
Provides common web services and Web 2.0 interfaces to dramatically simplify application development
Is development platform and language agnostic
Supports composite application development and mash-ups by the business or IT analyst
Grows the independent software vendor and developer community

"Many companies today are struggling with how to unlock the full value of their data when they have multiple content management solutions dispersed throughout their organisation. Currently, ¡®marrying¡¯ these into one integrated system - or migrating content between systems - costs the IT department a lot in time and money," said Melissa Webster, program vice president, Content & Digital Media Technologies at IDC. "Given the need for a common standard that will enable customers to access disparate repositories, this certainly seems like a very positive step in the right direction."

From http://www.futuregov.net/ 09/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

CHINA: Alibaba Group Merges Online Auction, Ad Units

China's largest e-commerce company, the Alibaba Group, said on Thursday it was combining the operations of two of its major units. The combination of Taobao, an auction site, and Alimama, an online ad service, will attract more merchants and give consumers more choice, the group said in a statement. Alimama's 3 billion daily page views will provide the most accurate and efficient network to promote services to Taobao sellers, it said. Taobao was launched in 2003 and has 80 million registered users and a daily turnover of more than 300 million yuan ($44 million). Alimama, founded in 2007, is the largest online ad platform in China. Both Alimama and Taobao offer free services.

From Xinhua News Agency 09/05/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Merger of China Unicom, Netcom Approved

China Unicom Limited, one of China's leading mobile telecommunications companies, and China Netcom Group Corporation (Hong Kong) Limited, a leading broad band and fixed-line telecommunications operator in China, jointly announced in Hongkong Wednesday that the proposed merger of the two companies has been approved by their respective shareholders. The proposed merger will create a leading fully integrated telecommunications service provider in China. Shareholders of China Unicom and China Netcom voted in favor of the proposed merger at shareholders' meetings held on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. It is expected that, subject to the satisfaction of the other conditions of the proposed merger, the proposed merger will become effective on Oct. 15, 2008.

Thereafter, China Netcom will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Unicom and the listings of its shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and its American Depositary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange will be withdrawn. China Unicom's company name will also be changed to "China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited." China's economy is continuing to grow and the telecommunications industry possesses huge market potential, presenting a solid foundation for the merged group's development, said Chang Xiaobing, chairman and chief executive officer of China Unicom, at a press conference here. "In particular, broadband services and the 3G business will be the key growth drivers of the merged group," he said. The two companies have established a joint working group to lead the integration of China Unicom and China Netcom and ensure efficient execution of the business strategies of the merged group. The majority of the integration work is expected to be completed one year after the merger becoming effective.

From Xinhua News Agency 09/18/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

China Posts Nearly 24% Growth in Telecom Business

China's telecommunications sector realized a business volume of 1.468 trillion yuan (US$215.87 billion) in the first eight months of this year, a growth of 23.9 percent on the same period of last year. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Sunday that the sector garnered 538.45 billion yuan in sales income in the eight-month period, up 8.5 percent. Of the total revenue, mobile telecom business accounted for 54.38 percent, up 3.48 percentage points over a year earlier, and fixed-line phone services made up 35.98 percent, 5.76 percentage points lower than the year-earlier level. Between January and August, the number of cell phone users increased by 68.71 million to 616.02 million nationwide, while that of fix-line phone users decreased by 11.57 million to 354.07 million. Subscribers to broad-band Internet services numbered 79.35 million nationwide at the end of August, an increment of 12.93 million, or 19.47 percent, on the January-August period of last year. Official figures showed that China's netizen population had reached 253 million by July of this year.

From Xinhua News Agency 09/28/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Ideas Forum Surfaces on the Internet

Following on from the Internet shopping phenomenon, people in this South China city are now trading their ideas online. Increasing numbers of professionals are flocking to "witkey" websites, which allow users to exchange services and information and share knowledge and experience in an online idea-trading platform. At least 50,000 netizens are currently working for "witkey" websites. More than 30,000 of them are white-collar workers, while the rest are primarily university students, Zhang Huilin, a technology director with a "witkey" website in Guangzhou, said. Pang Jiantao, an employee with a local public relations firm in Guangzhou, is one making the most of the opportunities present themselves. Whenever he has time, on weekends or holidays, he logs onto "witkey" sites he has registered for to work for bids posted there. "As a PR professional, I have the experience to draft marketing proposals, which many enterprises, especially small businesses," the 28-year-old told China Daily over the weekend. He said he stands to earn about 1,000 yuan ($147) from a successful proposal, which generally takes a day or two nights to complete. "It is not very difficult for me to win the bids with all my experience," he said. Zhang said: "Those who seek solutions online are primarily businesspeople from small and medium-sized enterprises, who, most of the time, look for designs of logos, products or even name cards, marketing and sales proposals and programming.

And some netizens are looking for names for newborns." He said payment can range from 1 yuan to thousands and that some bids attract hundreds of respondents. Fu Xianghao, boss of a small ad firm in Guangzhou, likes the convenience, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the "witkey" web. "Earlier this year, my firm received an order to design a dozen roll-up banner stands of three themes in just one week," Fu recalled. "I posted my requirements on a "witkey" web, which attracted at least 100 responses." Fu said he paid just 500 yuan for each design he accepted. "The witkey service is not only much cheaper but also much faster," he said. While acknowledging the role of witkey web in complementing traditional industry, Liu Yongdong, associate professor of e-commerce at South China Normal University, warned web operators, solution buyers and sellers to be wary of the scheme's negative points, such as potential intellectual property rights violations.

From China Daily 10/14/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Baidu Aims High for Own Online Shopping Website

Baidu.com Inc, China's leading Internet search engine, has launched its own online shopping website and aimed to make it the largest of its kind in the country within three years. The website youa.baidu.com recorded more than four million page views, while 1.99 million items of goods went on sale on it on Tuesday, when the consumer-to-consumer (C2C) website was launched, the company said on Thursday. Baidu said the website "would" replace Taobao, who held an 85 percent share of the C2C market, to become the country's largest online retail platform within three years. An officer of Alibaba, which set up Taobao in 2003, said they welcomed competition when asked for comments on the move of Baidu. However, Taobao blocked the search engine last month. Taobao pursued free services since it was established in 2003 and in 2005 it promised another three-years of free services. The strategy helped it beat eBay to become the nation's largest online auction site. Nasdaq-listed Baidu is often referred to as China's version of Google because of the Chinese-language search engine's soaring popularity and profits. The company's net profit for 2007 rose 108 percent to 629 million yuan ($92.1 million) while revenues rose 110 percent to 1.74 billion yuan.

From http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/ 10/31/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Online Payment Surge Triggers Sharp Online Banking Increase in China

A recent report on the evolution of the online banking environment in China indicates that the in the wake of a marked increase in online shopping, the popularity of online payments made from consumers' internet banking accounts has also increased. Thus, data from the survey shows that in 2007 the Chinese online shopping market reached RMB56.1 billion (USD 8.3 billion), marking a 117.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. The study also reports that trade volumes of C2C and B2C online transactions registered 125.2 percent and 92.3 percent climbs respectively. As a result, the value of both personal and corporate online banking transactions also rose significantly, marking a 163.1 percent increase compared to 2007. The value of online payments performed from individual online banking accounts in China has increased three times compared to 2006, while in 2009 the percentage of personal online payments is expected to reach 10 percent of the total. The research was conducted by Chinese market research company Market Avenue.

From http://www.thepaypers.com/ 11/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Video Sharing Website to Raise Ad Prices

The costly though as yet not profitable online video sharing websites are finding a way out of the current financial turmoil. 6.cn, a famous video hosting website, recently axed two thirds of its 200 employees to trim expenditure. In the light of its current ad sales, the company said it expected to go in the black in three months and the trend may see consecutive profits after six months. Unlike 6.cn's act in down-sizing, other online video websites like Tudou.com and Youku.com, advocate raising ad prices in a move to increase income. Tudou.com, one of China's most popular video-sharing sites, has just debuted a subnet named hd.tudou.com, offering free TV shows and movies with high-definition and copyright authorization. With a huge sum of investment in terms of copyright authorization, Tudou's chief executive officer (CEO) Gary Wang indicated that video ads on the new site would cost ten times more than that on ordinary sites. "Costs in copyrights and bandwidth servers are higher for video websites than common websites. It doesn't make sense for ad prices on video websites to be on the same level with those on banners or on the search engines." said Wang to the Southern Metropolis Daily.

He also reasoned that the output of video ads did not match with the costs in China. Online ads price at 10-20 yuan (US$1.47-US$2.93) cost per mille (costs to show the ad to one thousand viewers), compared with 300-1000 yuan for a 10-minute ad on TV per thousand viewers. However, ads on video websites in US cost almost the same with those on TV at the prime time. Victor Koo, CEO of Youku.com confirmed to the paper that his website also marked up major ad prices while launching new products. "It will go up by about 20 percent." Seeing many of the 400 players in the market collapse, Koo is optimistic with his company. "The market will be more concentrated, and choices would be optimized for advertisers, partners or even web users." said Koo to the Southern Metropolis Daily. "Video websites and television are relatively complemented to each other. Advertisers may broadcast ads on both in the good days, but taking account of strategy shift and costs, the former will shoulder more.".Koo is confident that his website will take in more than 100 million yuan next year. Due to a worsening operating status, quite a few video websites are dropping out of this field, making the situation conducive to the survivors.

From China Daily 11/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

IT Products Trade Hit US$282.12 in First 9 Month

China's information technology product exports and imports reached US$282.12 billion in the first nine months, a 13.7-percent growth from a year ago. But the rise was lower than the domestic industry growth rate of 15.3 percent and 6.5 percentage points lower than that of last year, according to Chen Wenhai, secretary general of the Chinese Institute of Electronics. The business model of "low price" products is not okay as the influence of the financial crisis, Chen said at the 72nd China Electronics Fair which opened yesterday in Shanghai.

From Shanghai Daily 11/12/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Bureau Assesses the Value of Virtual Trade

Asset prices in the Chinese cyber world rose in the past week and the debate on the tax collection of virtual property trade continued to be hot, even as the real world was suffering an economic slowdown. It started with a statement from the country's taxation bureau, which said at the end of last month that it planned to collect taxes on "virtual property" online transactions. The State Administration of Taxation's Beijing branch then announced the details of the tax-collection rule. After individuals gain income through virtual currency transactions, they should go to the tax department to pay personal income tax within seven days of the day after the transactions. For those who can provide proof of the original value of the property, they will be charged 20 percent of their profits and for those who cannot, they will be charged at three percent of the total value of the transaction. At present, more than 40 million people play online games in China and 80 percent of them have bought virtual items online, from prepaid game cards containing time for play, game currency and weapons or arms in the cyber world. In 2007, the online transaction volume of such "assets" reached 9.36 billion yuan (US$1.37 billion) and the figure is expected to hit 11.12 billion yuan, according to 5173.com, one of China's major virtual asset transaction platforms. "The price of gold [in games] has surged recently and it's difficult to purchase enough gold even if you have money sometimes," said Xiao Yan, a player of the World of WarCraft video game, who has invested 1,500 yuan on gold.

With this in-game "gold," users can buy items or materials necessary for playing the game. Another popular cyber currency, Q Bi, issued by China's biggest instant message service provider Tencent (QQ), allows users to customize their virtual images and gain some superiority in games. Sellers will transfer tax costs to players if the regulator starts tax collection, players complain. Trade volume is at normal levels but the average price rose slightly in the past two weeks, said an official at a third-party trade platform, who declined to be identified. The official said it was "too sensitive to comment on the issue now." "Even if we pay the cost of the new tax, we won't get any additional services from game operators or authorities, such as account protection and deal guarantees," said Alan Wang, whose game account has been stolen by computer worms six times in the past three years. Wang's opinion was echoed by Gu Jia, who was cheated in a virtual item deal last month and found it difficult to get help from the operator. Kao Xiaowei, senior official of the General Administration of Press and Publication, said caution should be exercised over adopting the policy, which would have a wide influence. Game operators, however, support it. "In principle, we don't encourage players to buy items off-line," said Tao Junfeng of The9, the operator of World of WarCraft in China.

Tencent also supported the policy as it would wipe out unauthorized resellers. "The policy is positive as it represented the country's recognition of the virtual item trade for the first time," said the unidentified official. But there's controversy over how to define a "virtual asset" and how to collect the tax. Most government bureaus and researchers insist all online deals related to currency in the real world should be taxed, as the government has to regulate this "gray zone." However, trade platform operators think that taxable assets should only cover official game currency sold in the real world, and should not include virtual items or gold sales. "It's almost impossible to define what's the profit in such deals and many deals don't leave any records to track," said Xiao Yun, who employs six or seven people playing games every day and sells game currency obtained online.

From Shanghai Daily 11/14/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

China's Internet-based Economy Expands over 50% in Q3

Although China's Internet-based economy was affected by the global financial woes in the third quarter of this year, it is faced with more opportunities than challenges upon the massive netizen population, sources from market consulting firm iResearch said Saturday. The market size of Internet-based economy was 14.63 billion yuan (2.15 billion U.S. dollars) between July and September, a growth of 52.2 percent on the same period of last year, or 9.8 percent on the second quarter of this year. However, in the second quarter the year-on-year growth rate was 62.8 percent and the quarter-on-quarter pace was 14.9 percent, the sources said. Advertising and games continued to be major sources for Internet business revenue, combining to account for 72.7 percent of the total income of the web-based economy. Market share of web games was 37.4 percent, while that of advertising was 35.3 percent. The market volume of Internet ads amounted to 5.16 billion yuan in the third quarter, up 12.9 percent. The growth was attributable mainly to the Beijing Olympics. As demand from abroad was driven down by the financial turmoil, the B2B e-commerce market grew only 0.7 percent to 1.46 billion yuan. Meanwhile, growth in Internet-based job-hunting business slowed to 4 percent, due largely to difficulties in corporate operations and ensuing less employment. The tourism reservation market increased by only 1.3 percent to 712 million yuan, as a result of shrinking logistics and travels around the Beijing Olympics upon tightened security control.

From Xinhua News Agency 11/15/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

JAPAN: Overall Results of Communications Industry, July 2008 Survey (Flash Report)

The sales forecast diffusion index1 for the second and third quarters of 2008 were "positive" among telecommunications carriers and cable TV operators, and "negative" among commercial broadcasters. The financial forecast diffusion index2 for the two quarters were "positive" among all of telecommunications carriers, commercial broadcasters, and cable TV operators. The business conditions diffusion index3 for the two quarters were "positive" among telecommunications carriers and "negative" among commercial broadcasters. Meanwhile, among cable TV operators, the index was "positive" for the second quarter and "zero" for the third quarter. Notes: 1. Sales forecast diffusion index (DI): the "percentage of companies predicting an increase in sales" minus the "percentage of companies predicting a decrease in sales over the previous quarter 2. Financial forecast diffusion index (DI): the "percentage of companies predicting they will be financially better off" minus the "percentage of companies predicting they will be financially worse off" 3. Business conditions diffusion index (DI): the "percentage of companies predicting improvement in business conditions" minus the "percentage of companies predicting decline in business conditions" Japan's communications industry survey - Since April 1995, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has conducted surveys on Japan's communications industry (by sending questionnaire sheets and receiving responses via fax or as input over the Internet), particularly on sales and sales forecasts, in order to promptly comprehend the management trends in the communications industry (telecommunications carriers and broadcasters). Based on the sales share in each business category (e.g., telecommunications and commercial broadcasting) in FY2005, a total of 133 companies in the overall communications industry were allocated to determine the number of samples for each business category. In order to minimize the standard error, the data was processed in two steps for each business category, on a total sample basis and on a random sampling basis, and the number of samples was determined for each step. With regard to the total sample basis, top companies in sales were extracted until the number of companies reached the determined number of samples. Random sampling was then conducted from the remaining population.

From http://www.soumu.go.jp/ 08/29/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Release of Report on Economic Trends in the ICT Industry (Q2 of 2008)

MIC is releasing its Report on Economic Trends in the ICT Industry for the second quarter (April to June) of 2008. Key trends - Due to downturn in the US economy, business confidence deteriorated. Production and shipment related to the ICT manufacturing decreased. Inventory set a record high. - Overall capital investment by the ICT industry was on the rise. - Employment grew in the ICT industry. The number of people hired increased particularly in the information and communications business category. - Prices of ICT related commodities continue to decline.

From http://www.soumu.go.jp/ 10/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

E-bank Japan Sets Mobile Banking Example

Imagine you are a bank with no branches or ATMs, almost three million customers and only 195 employees in total. This is e-bank Japan, which provides 24-hour real-time electronic services. With a corporate vision that mobile computing can give customers their own personal branch in the future it is an example of a company that has totally automated its business using the latest technology. Japan may be the first to adopt this kind of technology, but it is something that could make sense in the UK too. After all, e-bank Japan has about 200 staff, of which 30 are internal IT staff, yet it manages almost three million customer accounts. The combined attractions of reduced costs and increasing customer demand could drive mobile banking adoption in here post credit crunch. "Asia is a major success story for mobile banking," says Robert Morgan, consultant at Hamilton Bailey. "Many rural people in countries such as India do all their banking by mobile. The West has been lackadaisical because we like to touch things." He says banks in the UK can accelerate the adoption of mobile banking as the credit crunch forces them to cut costs. By automating more of the banking processes more staff cuts can be made. "The way the credit crunch has gone, with banks making cost reductions, mobile banking is on the horizon. The age of mobile banking will allow banks to make front office savings." So how does it work at e-bank Japan? "Most of our services can be completed by PC, so we just focus on the transaction processing system to keep operating smoothly," says Kaz Saiki, head of public relations at the bank. "That is why we can manage 2.8 million customers' accounts with fewer than 200 staff." If e-bank Japan customers want to withdraw cash, they can use ATMs of companies the bank has agreements with. Because the bank is designed and run for customer convenience its processes are largely automated. Opening a new account at a traditional bank takes time and requires the applicant visiting the bank to fill in lots of forms, go through manual verification checks and then receive confirmation by post. Human involvement and additional cost all the way.

At e-bank Japan, applicants do not need to fill in application forms by hand or visit the bank, says Saiki. "They can do all of it by sending applications by PC and mobile phone. It is necessary to send identification, but they can send the picture on their driver's licence or other ID using a camera function of a mobile phone, which is legal in Japan." The company uses a optical character recognition system and digital data to confirm identity. One of the major attractions of e-bank Japan is that it offers services via mobile phone which opens it up to many more people, says Chris Skinner, CEO at financial services think-tank Balatro. "They used to be restricted to targeting internet users," he says. "The result of using mobile is that e-bank has now extended its reach far beyond the internet user to the general population, because the general population all use mobile telephones and just think of e-bank as an application on their phone." There is no stopping the mobile revolution, and e-banking via a mobile phone looks set to take off, according to market analysts. IMS Research says mobile banking users will reach almost a billion within four years and will complete 62 billion transactions in 2012. It said the combination of contactless mobile payments, mobile banking and over-the-air payments will push the number of mobile banking users to 884 million in 2012. There will inevitably be obstacles to the adoption of mobile e-banking and Alistair Newton, at Gartner, believes security is still an obstacle to its take up. When the credit crunch dust settles banks will look different and will have new strategies. If customers do demand mobile banking and it can offer savings, the banks will surely add it to their services. With 200 staff in total and about three million customer accounts e-bank Japan is a case in point.

From http://www.computerweekly.com/ 10/13/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

LG Japan Shows Off Phone Design Concept Winners

(IDG News Service) Cell phones are all about keeping in touch, so it's no surprise that the winners of LG Japan's first Mobile Design Contest decided to take the theme a little deeper with mock-ups that were on display over the weekend at the Tokyo Designer's Week event. The winner of the competition was the Planet Phone, a circular, clamshell-style handset that features numerous LEDs embedded into the top half of the phone. Each of the small lights represents one of your friends. Those you keep in contact with remain near the center, but as you slowly lose touch with people, they drift toward the edge and eventually off the display altogether. It's supposed to prompt you to keep in touch with friends and remind you when you haven't spoken to someone for a while. The Temperature phone concept brings you a visual clue of what your friends are up to. The back of the handset is covered in small, removable tiles like those you'd find in a game of Scrabble, but instead of letters, they display your friends' names. You can exchange your tiles with those of your friends, which contributes to a unique design for each handset, and then watch the tiles glow in correspondence with the heat of your friends' locations. So, for example, if one took off on vacation, his tile might start glowing a deeper color, while if another was caught out in the snow, it would do the opposite. Like the Planet phone, the concept brings an extra level of communication between you and your friends. Other winning handset designs included the Ring, a handset that has a candy-bar form factor with a large hole running through the lower part of the phone. The rest of the front of the phone is a screen. The ring has numbers around it, so it can be used like an old-style rotary dial, or if you hold up the phone, it can become the viewfinder for the phone's camera function. The fbt handset features a braille keypad, while the entire back of the phone does double duty as a braille display and keypad. Users can send and receive text messages in braille. And for when all this communication gets too much and you just want to relax, there's the Tap. Styled to look like a light switch, just tap it into the off position and your cell phone goes into sleep mode or switches off so you can relax without interruptions. All of the concepts on show were nonworking prototypes, and were winners in LG Japan's competition submitted from outside the company. Don't expect them as products soon.

From http://www.computerworld.com/ 11/15/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

SOUTH KOREA: IT Industry Taps into the Future

Computers will be embedded in every nook and cranny of our daily lives in the future. Swiping your card at a digital information kiosk at any given transit point will load your travel preferences and tell you the local traffic situation and an expected arrival time. Stepping into an automated physical exam booth will allow you to be diagnosed by an onscreen doctor. Your home will be fully computerized, too. Even on rainy days, a giant window, doubling as a digital display panel, will display glorious weather and your choice of view. You will be able to activate home appliances from the comfort of your favorite chair with a simple voice or fingertip command. Such forms of "ubiquitous technology" or "ubiquitous computing" are already here. According to the Institute for Information Technology Advancement, 52 core IT technologies, including Virtual Reality, should be ready within the next decade. Korea has shown great interest in next-generation IT technologies, such as telematics, radio frequency identification or RFID, and information security. Korean-made IT products account for 30 percent of all exports. Last year, Korea's IT exports totaled more than US$130 billion - quadruple the 1995 figure. The importance of IT as Korea's leading economic growth engine is evident in its new policy. The government says it will invest W3.5 trillion (US$1=W1,118) in the next five years to double the country's IT exports.

From Arirang News 09/02/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Samsung Heads into New Frontier

The faces inside Korea¡¯s conglomerates is a weekly series about key figures in major conglomerates to help readers understand Korea¡¯s business world. Korea, which has the world¡¯s 13th-largest economy, may not be well known in some parts of the world, but Samsung has become a household name just about everywhere. With $75.76 billion in annual exports and 59 affiliates, Samsung Group¡¯s logo can be found on Chelsea Football Club¡¯s game jerseys and a billboard in the middle of Manhattan. Its liquid-crystal display monitors cover the walls of the Austrian Belvedere Museum in Vienna. The world¡¯s tallest building, which is under construction in the United Arab Emirates, is being built by Samsung C&T Corporation, Samsung¡¯s construction arm. Samsung Group accounted for 20.4 percent of Korea¡¯s total exports last year. The conglomerate underwent sweeping changes to its corporate governance earlier this year after Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee stepped down from his post in April. Samsung also dismantled its 50-year-old Strategic Planning Office, the group¡¯s control tower. Some said the changes would weaken the group, which employes 260,000.

But Samsung Group proved its strong fundamentals after the reform. Industry experts say former Chairman Lee¡¯s philosophy, which emphasized human resources, prepared Samsung for the change. Star CEOs of Samsung Electronics, a flagship unit of the group, are filling the void left by former Chairman Lee. A majority of the CEOs graduated from Seoul National University and majored in electronic and electrical engineering. The former chairman believed creative and competent minds are assets and invested a lot to educate new employees. Koreans coined the term "Samsung Man," meaning if people spent their career at any Samsung affiliate, they are guaranteed to be the best workers. Among the first-generation CEOs on former Chairman Lee¡¯s team, Lee Yoon-woo, vice chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics, is often called "the living history" of the nation¡¯s semiconductor industry. Lee is credited with laying the groundwork for Samsung¡¯s chip business. Samsung jumped into the semiconductor business in 1974, and Lee was one of the key figures who developed the iconic 256K dynamic random access memory in 1984. Lee also leads the investment committee, which controls investment plans for all Samsung affiliates and finds new business models, with six affiliate presidents.

Since former Chairman Lee¡¯s retirement, a council of 40 Samsung Group affiliate presidents makes important decisions, and two other committees for investment plans and brand management were launched. Lee Ki-tae, vice chairman in charge of Samsung Electronics¡¯ external relations, is a legendary figure who made Samsung the world¡¯s second-largest handset maker by developing Anycall, Samsung¡¯s mobile phone. He shares "the bulldozer" nickname with President Lee Myung-bak, according to Hong Ha-sang, author of "Samsung¡¯s Star CEOs." Lim Hyung-kyu, president of Samsung¡¯s new business development team, is an old hand at non-memory chips, and bears heavy responsibility for finding new business models such as bio, healthcare and energy for Samsung Electronics. Lee Sang-wan, president of the LCD division, has been working in the LCD department since the early ¡¯90s. He helped Samsung lead LCD panel sales in 2002 and from 2006 for five consecutive years under his leadership.

Choi Doh-seok, president of Samsung Electronics¡¯ corporate executive staff division, is a finance expert along with Chu Woo-sik, vice president in charge of investor relations. Choi, who manages Samsung Electronics, which reported sales of 100 trillion won ($75.3 billion) last year, was chosen as Korea¡¯s best chief financial officer by Hong Kong-based FinanceAsia from 2003 to 2005. As for semiconductors, Samsung has another star - CEO Hwang Chang-gyu, who serves as chief technology officer. Hwang is said to have taken Samsung¡¯s semiconductor business to the next level by developing higher capacity DRAM that is faster than its rivals. Hwang is credited for making "Hwang¡¯s Rule." Hwang shortened Moore¡¯s Rule, which says a chip¡¯s integrated circuit doubles every two years, to 18 months. A bigger integrated circuit allows greater chip production.

Kwon Oh-hyun, president of Samsung Electronics¡¯ chip division, is an expert in memory and non-memory chips. Choi Gee-sung, president of Samsung Electronics¡¯ telecommunication business, has wide knowledge ranging from semiconductors and digital appliances to telecommunications. He also made Samsung the world¡¯s No. 1 LCD TV maker by leading a project to develop the Bordeaux TV in 2006. Park Jong-woo, president of Samsung¡¯s digital media division, is credited with raising Samsung¡¯s LCD TV market share from 13.5 percent in 2006 to 20.4 percent in the second quarter of this year. Lee Yoon-woo, Lim Hyung-kyu, Choi Doh-seok and Park Jong-woo were all born in the Youngnam region, which lies in the Gyeongsang provinces. Samsung Group started in Daegu, which is also in the Youngnam region.

Jay Y. Lee, former Chairman Lee¡¯s only son and senior vice president of Samsung Electronics, holds the senior vice president title without belonging to any division. The junior Lee is currently stationed in Shanghai.

From http://www.joongang.co.kr/ 10/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Korea¡¯s Online Games Exports to Surpass W1-trillion

Korea¡¯s annual export of online games is expected to surpass the W1-trillion mark for the first time, according to a survey of online games companies. The survey revealed on Thursday that the export of Korea¡¯s online games will likely increase to US$900 million (US$1=W1,340), from last year¡¯s $780 million. Considering the depreciation of the won from W900 to W1,300 against the dollar, online game exports are forecast to surpass W1 trillion. As industry leaders¡¯ exports grow at two-digit pace and mid-ranking companies join the export bandwagon, exports of games are rapidly increasing. Overseas sales by the three major exporters, NHN, Nexon and NCsoft, are estimated to record $480 million, 20-percent up from last year. Famous for its game portal "Hangame," NHN forecast its overall overseas sales to reach $160 million, with a 30-percent increase in Japan to $120 million and a 20- percent rise in China to $39.6 million. Nexon also expects a 20-percent growth in overseas sales from last year¡¯s $150 million, as some 800,000 Chinese simultaneously went online to play the game "KartRider" while multiplayer game "MapleStory" is gaining popularity in the U.S. NCsoft recorded exports of $75 million for the first half of this year, 10-percent up from last year, thanks to its main products, including "Lineage II."

From http://english.chosun.com/ 10/17/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Online Used Market Prospers in Troubled Times

With shallow pockets as a result of the economic downturn, more people are buying used goods online. According to Auction, Korea¡¯s biggest online shopping mall, yesterday, the amount of money spent buying used goods at the market increased 104 percent in September from a year earlier. Among the items bought, electronic home appliances such as laptop computers, televisions and refrigerators posted 140 percent growth, the company said. Golf gear rose 110 percent. Kitchen utensils and baby items followed with 97 percent and 90 percent growth, respectively. The number of used goods transactions rose 150 percent, with 80 percent of them occurring in the computer product sales corner. The number of visitors to the company¡¯s used market also hiked by around 30 percent with those in their 20s or 30s increasing by more than 50 percent. Other major online shopping malls are witnessing the same trend. In the used computer goods market at InterPark, sales rose 102 percent on-month and 109 percent on-year last month. Danawa said its used goods transactions rose 150 percent in September on-year. Gmarket also saw used goods sales rise 82 percent. In particular, kids¡¯ items such as toys, children¡¯s books and education materials rose 910 percent on-year, Gmarket said. Some companies are wielding muscles to conform to the trend. Lotte Dotcom, Lotte Shopping¡¯s online business, set up a corner where it sells products damaged in transportation at discounted prices. The products sell for up to 35 percent less.

From http://www.joongang.co.kr/ 11/01/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Digital Contents Vending Machine Developed

SEOUL (Yonhap) - A digital contents vending machine that allows users to easily download movies, TV dramas and music files onto their mobile phones and laptop computers has been developed, a state-run telecommunications laboratory said Wednesday. The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) said the "Contents Island" machine does away with the complication of registering and paying charges associated with mobile service providers. It also does not require people to pay wireless packet charges since the system is designed to be directly plugged into computers, cellular phones and other portable multimedia players.

From Yonhap 11/12/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Online Sale of E-Cigarettes Banned

The Ministry of Government Legislation on Wednesday declared illegal the online sale of so-called electronic cigarettes designed to help users give up smoking. Since electronic cigarettes fall under the category of tobacco prescribed in the Tobacco Business Act, they can be sold only at retailers and thus their online or telesales are illegal. Electronic cigarettes are electronic devices in the shape of a normal cigarette that allow people to inhale a gasified liquid comprising various ingredients including nicotine. A ministry official said, "Cigarettes prescribed in the Tobacco Business Act encompass substances that can be smoked like a cigarette even if no tobacco leaf is used. Therefore, electronic cigarettes, an electronic device for intake and a filter with condensed nicotine extracted from tobacco leaf, correspond to cigarettes under the Tobacco Business Act."

From http://english.chosun.com/  11/13/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Subscribers to Digital Cable TV Fall Short of Projections

The number of people subscribing to digital cable TV this year will remain around 2 million, well below the original expectation of 2.5 million. According to the Korea Cable TV Association on Sunday said, as of the end of September, the number of digital cable TV subscribers stood at 1.68 million. "We have seen an increase of 100,000 people every month, and if this pace continues, it is unlikely we will surpass 2 million by the end of this year," said an association official. Earlier this year, the cable TV system operators¡¯ council had anticipated 2.5 million subscribers by the end of the year. The number of people subscribing to analogue cable TV fell by 380,000 from 13.91 million at the end of last year to 13.53 by the end of last June. Oh Kwang-seong, president of the cable TV system operators¡¯ council, said, "Due to frozen consumer sentiment, people are hesitant to join the digital cable TV network."

From http://english.chosun.com/  11/13/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Local Game Industry Exports to Reach $1 Billion

The nation¡¯s game industry seems to be defying the worldwide economic turmoil as exports are expected to reach $1 billion by the end of this year, a 35 percent increase from a year earlier, the Korea Game Industry Agency said in a release yesterday. The KGIA said it conducted a survey among local game-related companies such as Nexon, Neowiz Games, NCsoft and NHN to estimate the total amount of game exports for this year. By achieving the $1 billion mark in exports, the country¡¯s game industry met a goal set by the central government two years ago. The Korean government initially predicted local game exports would reach $1 billion in 2010, but have since raised export goals to $3.6 billion in 2012. This year¡¯s best-selling games are Lineage, developed by NCsoft, and KartRider and MapleStory by Nexon. The game industry had been faltering in recent years, failing to launch a diverse offering of new games. Growth stalled after 2005 as companies failed to tap new markets. The local industry was also unsuccessful in branching out to markets other than China and Southeast Asia. However, the industry saw increasing demand for games from developing countries such as Russia and those located in the Middle East and Latin America this year. In addition, Internet infrastructure has been improving in many developing countries, allowing more people to access online games. As of last year, the world¡¯s game market was $99.2 billion. This is predicted to reach $116.4 billion next year. Rapid annual growth of about 20 percent is expected in the online game industry, the KGIA said. "It is very meaningful that the local game industry has shown such a stellar export record despite the worldwide economic slowdown," said Choi Kyu-nam, head of the KGIA.

From http://www.joongang.co.kr/ 11/18/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

MALAYSIA: Milestone for Digital Music Business

KUALA LUMPUR: Digital music retailing has just gotten a lot simpler. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the recording labels and music publishers on Friday has streamlined the process of acquiring digital music rights. Sandy Monteiro, Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) chairman said: "It is a blanket agreement between the publishers and labels to simplify the rights process. "Prior to this MoU, a digital music retailer would have to sign about 15 different contracts with various labels and publishers from 27 different countries for the rights to a song. Now they just have to sign one," he said. Monteiro explained that the old way of digital retailing could take up to months on end and run up a digital retailer's legal fees. "If one legal contract is RM1,000, this could add up to quite a substantial sum," he said. The MoU is a step towards creating a one-stop centre for digital rights, said Monteiro. "A bricks-and-mortar music retailer does not have to worry about whether he has the necessary rights to sell a CD. We¡¯re trying to transfer this (kind of) simplicity into the digital world," he said. According to him, the record labels and publishers have been in discussion for five years and have decided to put aside all the agendas for the good of the business. Monteiro claimed that Malaysia is the first country in South-East Asia to come up with such an initiative. "Other countries are watching us closely. The publishers and labels in Malaysia have been discussing this for years, where else most other countries haven¡¯t even started," he said. This MoU not only solves the problems of the past but also opens up new frontiers for the future, Monteiro said. According to RIM, digital music sales amounts to 25% of the music industry, with a value of RM20mil. The three major recording labels, Warner, Song BMG and Warner, are among those that signed the MoU. (by Steven Patrick)

From http://star-techcentral.com/ 10/31/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Opening a Window to Electronic Trading

KUALA LUMPUR: Trading ­activities between Asean ­countries will be easier and more cost-effective when an electronic trading system is implemented by year end. The system, called the Asean Single Window (ASW), is used to process cargo clearance tasks when Asean countries trade with each other. ASW requires each country to have a National Single Window (NSW) system and Malaysia¡¯s is on schedule for completion by December. Dagang Net Techonologies Sdn Bhd, an e-commerce solutions provider, is helming the nation¡¯s NSW project, and will soon be conducting training courses for local traders on how to use ASW, as well as promote the system¡¯s use to businesses. "The ASW will simplify, ­harmonise and standardise trade and customs processes, as well as other trading procedures among member countries," said Zaharin Ali, chief operating officer of Dagang Net Technologies. He was addressing delegates at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)/Asean cross-border facilitation workshop at a hotel in the capital last week. "All traders will have to be part of the NSW because this is the way forward," said Zaharin. "They can no longer deny the ­importance of digital technology in business today."

With NSW, traders will have access to five electronic services - customs declaration, duty payment, electronic manifest, import and export permit ­application, and electronic ­preferential certificate of origin issuance. The fifth service will only be available later next year, said Zaharin, but the others will come on line when our NSW system is ready. ASW is aimed at helping ­businesses ease the burden of expensive logistics costs and is particularly welcome in the current gloomy economic ­situation. "By lowering tariff costs, ­implementing a set of ­standardised trade practices, and sharing databases of information, ASW can lower logistical and operational expenses for traders," said Zaharin. ASW will also bring businesses closer to having a paperless work environment. In 2005, the 10 Asean member countries agreed at an informal meeting between Asean ­economic ministers to establish and implement ASW. Dagang Net was commissioned to help blueprint the ASW and build the country¡¯s NSW. It will also operate and maintain the NSW. Zaharin also quoted a World Bank study which showed that inefficient trade practices, such as the duplication of premits and processes, could cause import and export activities to be more expensive. He added that Dagang Net would be holding a nationwide roadshow sometime this month to tell businesses about the ­benefits of ASW.

From http://star-techcentral.com/ 11/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Microsoft Sparks off Startup Programme

KUALA LUMPUR: Microsoft Malaysia has launched its BizSpark programme to help software startup companies gain a ­foothold in business. The global programme aims to accelerate the success of local technopreneurs through software support. "Economic challenges come and go but it is important not to lose sight of developing the local software economy," said Yasmin Mahmood, Microsoft Malaysia managing director at a press conference after launching the programme. Under the BizSpark programme, Microsoft Malaysia will invest a total of RM300mil in 500 companies over three years. There are 10 companies already participating in the programme. The investment is also expected to create 5,000 new jobs in the local software industry. "This is a very ­realistic target and I expect this out of my team," said Yasmin. Each startup is expected to receive RM650,000 in the form of Microsoft development ­software, such as Expression Studio and Visual Studio Team System. Tyson Dowd, senior director of the Malaysian software economy at Microsoft Malaysia, said the programme offers a good opportunity for technopreneurs to start a ­business. Microsoft Malaysia has engaged the help of its 11 network partners, including the Cradle Investment Programme, Technopreneur Association of Malaysia, Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia, and the Multimedia Development Corp to promote, verify and approve potential startups for the BizSpark programme. The software giant is holding an event, titled Get Your Startup Fired Up, to promote the BizSpark programme to technopreneurs. This will take place in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 19 and Penang on Nov 29. For more information on BizSpark and to register for the event, point your browser to www.microsoft.com/malaysia/events/bizspark.

From http://star-techcentral.com/ 11/14/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

PHILIPPINES: National Transmission Corporation Uses Windows Server for Better Management

The National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) upgraded its infrastructure to Windows Server to increase the company's network and Internet security and make administration and deployment and management of applications easier. To further improve the company's business process, which will lead to superior services delivered to various stakeholders nationwide, the system upgrade was done in partnership with Microsoft Philippines and dB Wizards, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. Providing electric power transmission service nationwide is no easy feat and all systems should always be up and running. The company's new infrastructure will enable the whole system to scale up, work efficiently and deliver all services even when one server is down. Through the project, TransCo upgraded its existing Domain Controllers, Active Directory, Domain Name Server (DNS) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) services to Windows Server. Teofilo Pescones, Manager - Corporate IS/IT Department, TransCo said, "With our new infrastructure, TransCo's employees nationwide now have easy access to company information without compromising network security and risking valuable data. With a centralized administration, we can easily streamline our mission-critical business processes."

Microsoft is confident that Windows Server will provide TransCo with the increased network security, reliability and scalability needed to provide quality services to its stakeholders. "Windows Server was built with capabilities that would allow an individual or organization to improve business processes - with the end goal of strengthening its core business and furthering growth," shared Nicky Eala, Server Business Group Lead, Microsoft Philippines. "With numerous applications running across our different offices, enhanced integration is integral," cited Pescones. This move to upgrade their infrastructure is part of TransCo's overall business strategy to deliver industry-leading services to its stakeholders. TransCo strives to continuously innovate to bring business processes and management, as well as client satisfaction a notch higher. Pescones concluded, "With all our organization units integrated to Active Directory, management becomes easier and more efficient. Our stakeholders rely on our ability to deliver our services in a timely and efficient manner and if our network isn't secure, we risk the possibility of system and business process failures, which isn't an option for TransCo." The Windows Server operating system is a highly productive infrastructure that helps make an organization's network a strategic asset for its business, contributing to achieving organizational objectives and a driver for the company's overall growth and success. The latest version of the Microsoft network operating system, Windows Server 2008 was made available in the Philippines last April.

From http://www.manilatimes.net/ 09/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

SINGAPORE: Portal to Boost Games Industry Launched

Singapore launched a games resource portal for the games community on Monday in a bid to boost the city-state's games industry. The portal is a new initiative under the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). Singapore-based games companies can feature their products and services, and look for business opportunities on this portal, said Lui Tuck Yew, Senior Minister of State for Education and Information, Communications and the Arts, when he announced the initiative at an information communication event. Young Singaporeans can also showcase their portfolio on the portal, as it aims to match budding games enthusiasts and talent with interested games companies, said Lui. Singapore has been trying to attract major players and to develop a sound ecosystem for digital media companies to do business in Singapore. The inforcomm sector in Singapore registered an annual revenue growth of 13.8 percent to 51.68 billion Singapore dollars (35.2 billion U.S. dollars) last year.

From http://english.people.com.cn/ 11/03/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

VIET NAM: Telecom Firms Eye Export Zones

HCM CITY - Telecommunications companies are competing with each other to expand services to industrial and export processing zones, office buildings and residential buildings, according to several telecommunications companies. The growing migration of enterprises to industrial and export processing zones is driving telecommunications companies there. According to the Viet Nam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the average monthly phone bill for fixed services is VND700,000 (US$42) in an industrial zone, compared with only VND550,000 ($33) in an office building or VND360,000 ($22) in a residential building. Thus, telecommunications companies are ramping up services in industrial zones with the hopes of higher turnovers and faster returns on their investments. In the rush of telecommunications and information technology companies into the new markets, companies have devised various strategies to lure customers, with many discounting some of their more expensive services, according to a VNPT representative. Many telecommunication companies have discounted their rates 10-12 per cent for buildings and tourist areas with high rates of telecommunications activity, with an addition 10-30 per cent off for expensive services.

Faced with dwindling customers, VNPT is responding to their competitors by signing contracts with large companies that have a high demand for telecommunications services, especially in the banking and construction sector, including the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV), the Mekong Housing Bank (MHB), Vinaconex Corp (VCG), Becamex IDC Corp and Vicom Join Stock Company. Other companies are following suit, with Viet Nam Military Telecommunications Corp (Viettel) entering agreements with BIDV and the Ministry of Education and Training and CMC Corp signing with Geleximco Group and Bao Viet Group. Under a regulation drafted by the Ministry of Information and Communication on repurchasing telecommunications services, businesses and agencies would be allowed to retail services from larger telecommunications companies with established network infrastructures. Doing so would create greater competition among telecommunications companies, and would even out the divergent prices of various services. It is hoped that this competition will stimulate further development within the industry.

From http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/ 10/18/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

BANGLADESH: Ericsson Signs Managed Services Contract with Bangla Trac

Bangla Trac Communications, an international gateway operator in Bangladesh, has selected Ericsson to manage operations of its new switching infrastructure. Under the agreement, Ericsson will provide operational readiness and manage the day-to-day operations of the new wireline network providing gateway services for incoming and outgoing international traffic. The contract builds on a previous agreement to deliver and implement a fixed-line network based on total Ericsson solution with it's Telephony Softswitch, Redback SmartEdge routers and the Marconi OMS Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP). By partnering with Ericsson, Bangla Trac will be able to launch its international Gateway services and reduce costs, while focusing on customers' needs.

From http://www.digitalmediaasia.com/ 10/22/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

INDIA: Smart Cards Will Replace Ration Cards in Haryana Soon

The Government of Haryana, India, has announced that it will soon make 5.2 million ration cards into smart cards. The government has earmarked an amount of INR 153 crore for this project. The state awaits the approval of the central government for implementing this scheme. Haryana is the first state in India to start such a project for the Public Distribution System (PDS). Haryana State Electronic Development Corporation (Hartron) has been entrusted with the task of making these cards. These cards will have details such as monthly entitlement per family when they make purchases at subsidised rates from the fair price shops.The cards will store the finger print templates of the card holders in order to ensure that transactions can be done only by the concerned person.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 09/01/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Smart Cards, Machines Taking Banking to Poor Man's Doorstep

ICICI Bank and the International Finance Corp (IFC) will soon start micro deposit machines to take banking services to the doorsteps of the poor. With the use of smart cards and these machines, people can make deposits at any time and and get a receipt at the point of transaction without any paperwork.These machines will be look like ATMs but are much smaller in size. The company is working with various banks, micro-finance institutions, insurance firms and the government to extend banking services to the poor in both urban and rural areas. The company has estimated at 300-500 million the number of people in India who either do not bank or have no access to such financial services. The company has estimated at 300-500 million the number of people in India who either do not bank or have no access to such financial services. The company will cover Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh and New Delhi. Punjab National Bank has also launched a similar scheme with FINO in New Delhi for migrant workers and daily wage earners. This apart, in Andhra Pradesh, smart cards are used for government pensions and for disbursing wages in five districts under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP).

From http://i4donline.net/ 09/25/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

m-Commerce for Rural Areas: The RBI's Push

With the recent announcement by the RBI to increase the daily transaction limit for cash transactions from INR 2,500 to INR 5,000 and the daily transaction limit for goods and services from INR 5,000 to INR 10,000. Mobile transactions, mobile payment companies are going bullish on the prospects for m-commerce ?especially in the rural unbanked space. In tapping the rural segment companies are also experimenting with mobile banking through retail points like mCheck and Oxigen. Through its model, mChek will enable Grameen Koota microfinance borrowers to receive loans, make loans repayments, and also make merchant and bill payments in the local villages. In the case of Oxigen, it is in talks with Railways to bring unreserved (small value, daily tickets) ticket booking services into its offerings. A pilot on this will be worked on in suburbs of Mumbai once Railways approves it.

From http://i4donline.net/ 10/24/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

e-Forms for Traders in Gujrat Soon

The Government of Gujrat has introduced e-Forms in the state for its traders and businessmen. The traders can use e-Forms and other forms relating to inter state export and there will be no fees charged for these forms. The computerisation of the system is expected to benefit over two lakh traders.It is said that the facility will be operational from the second quarter of Financial Year 2008-09 from July to September. The deadline for transactions up to June 30 has also been extended till November 30.

The e-Return submitted by the traders would be considered as application and no fees would be charged. In the current scenario, traders have to fill different forms for various purposes such as inter state purchase, export, stock transfer etc. In addition to this, they have to pay for the stamp fees as well.The e-Form system would allow the Finance Department of the state to print necessary forms on the basis of the details provided by the trader and deliver the form at the office. This new system is expected to usher in transparency and speedy delivery of services. The state is now promoting e-Governance in a big way by attarcting more investments into the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. It is been said that the state has already deployed e-Procurement in 118 government departments and organisations worth INR 15,000 crore per annum.

From http://www.egovonline.net/ 11/07/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

India Added a Record 7.7 Million GSM Subcribers in October

India's GSM networks added a record breaking 7.7 million net customers in October - reports the Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI). The total GSM base now stands at 241.4 million as at the end of last month.The figures however do not include the GSM subscriber base from Reliance Communications - which although a predominantly CDMA operator has a growing GSM base as well. Estimates from the Mobile World subscriber tracker report that the company ended September with around 9.2 million GSM subscribers.That would bring India's total base to over 250 million GSM customers.The Mobile World also estimates that the country has around 77 million CDMA users - bringing the whole country mobile user base to 318 million.The country's largest operator, Bharti Airtel added 2.72 million new customers, while Vodafone Essar added a record 2.1 million new customers.

From http://www.cellular-news.com/ 11/11/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

PAKISTAN: Virtualisation Technology Helps Improve Business Growth

KARACHI: Microsoft has played vital role in business growth in Pakistan, especially, by providing opportunity to corporations to realise tangible benefits based on an integrated virtualisation approach. Director, Core Infrastructure Optimisation Architecture from Microsoft Corporate Headquarter, Redmond USA, Ehtesham Hanif, expressed his views during a seminar on "Virtualisation Technology", which was jointly organised by HP, Kalsoft and Expert Systems held at local hotel on Monday. Moreover, he said that Pakistan is being faced economic challenges, adding that Microsoft virtualisation campaign aimed at helping businesses in Pakistan to combat the threats posed under such circumstances, effectively. In his keynote address, Country General Manager, Microsoft Pakistan, Kamal Ahmed, stressed the need of virtualisation businesses in Pakistan, saying that the virtualisation tools and solutions would help corporations to enhance its business competencies. Talking to Business Recorder, Muhammad Ali Khan, Corporate & Mid-Market Sector Lead, Kalsoft said that Virtualisation Launch Wave (VLW), 2008, which was launched by Microsoft in Pakistan, has ability to improve some 89 per cent more in the efficiency of business units. He said that VLW has initially been deployed in several financial institutions, including State Bank of Pakistan, United Bank Limited, NIB and Habib Bank Limited. He added that Aga Khan University, Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Saudi Pak Bank would soon be entertained in this regard. He said that Microsoft in collaboration with Kalsoft provides virtualisation solutions which would be a key enabler for local companies to optimise their IT investments and implement a flexible and dynamic data centre. The event aimed to introduce three key virtualisation technologies, including Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) 2008 and Microsoft Application Virtualisation (App-V), which formulates the core of Microsoft's current solution offerings in the domain of virtualisation for its customers in Pakistan. The virtualisation technologies are an investment that enables capacity building and installs a sound IT Infrastructure allowing firms to enjoy a more flexible business and IT structure. A large number of participants belonging to IT sector were present on the occasion.

From http://www.brecorder.com/ 10/14/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

IRAQ: Etisalat Names Korek Telekom as Iraqi Target

Middle East business paper MEED, quoting a statement by Etisalat¡¯s chairman Mohammad Hassan Omran, reports that the UAE incumbent will soon take a stake in Kurdish operator Korek Telecom. Last week it was reported that the firm was in the final stage of talks to buy a majority stake worth up to USD1 billion in a Middle East telecoms operator this year, and on Wednesday, Omran revealed the country was Iraq. Korek was one of three companies to win a mobile phone licence in Iraq in August 2007. The Kurdish company, alongside Kuwait's Zain and AsiaCell, partly backed by the Qatari operator Qtel, each bid USD1.2billion for a concession. Back in February, Etisalat¡¯s CEO Mohammad al-Qamzi told press that his company was close to forming a joint venture with a mobile operator in the Kurdish region of Iraq. ¡®We are now looking at a joint venture with an existing licence holder...We are now just waiting for final agreement to get the deal done,¡¯ he had said, without giving further details. With two of Iraq¡¯s three mobile concessionaires already owned by Gulf-based groups (Zain Iraq [formerly Atheer] is part of Kuwait¡¯s Zain Group and AsiaCell is part of a consortium led by Qtel), it was widely mooted that Korek Telecom was the most likely partner.

From http://www.telegeography.com/ 10/10/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Kalimat Telecom Launches Wimax Network

Kalimat Telecom has launched Iraq¡¯s first WiMAX network in Baghdad, reports WiMAX.com. The operator - having inked a deal with Redline Communications for the provision of a WiMAX network covering 28 million people - says the project will cost in the region of USD500 million. ¡®We are proud to announce the launch and make it happen despite the prevailing situation,¡¯ said Wilson Varghese, Kalimat Telecom CEO and President. ¡®We are targeting customers like large commercial facilities, residential areas and government institutions. As you know many investors do not want to go to Iraq, but we managed to invest ... and we are slowly getting there.¡¯ Iraq's Communication and Media Commission awarded Kalimat Telecom a 10-year concession in September 2006.

From http://www.telegeography.com/ 11/12/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

IRAN: Internet Bandwidth Expansion Underlined

Currently, the capacity of the country¡¯s Internet bandwidth is about 12,000 mega bits and efforts for expanding it to 15,000 mega bits are being followed up rapidly, an Iranian official said. "Widespread efforts, aimed at expanding the bandwidth, are underway to use indigenous capacities for increasing the Internet bandwidth of the country to more than 3,000 mega bits in the near future," Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdolmajid Riazi told the Persian daily Farhang-e Ashti. Referring to discussions over sanctions on the Internet, he said, "The probability of such a development is quite low but it possibility exists. Nevertheless, preparations have been made or are underway to exploit domestic networks." Riazi noted that it is hardly probable that the telephone or Internet communications between countries or their local networks could face sanctions. "No country faced telephone sanctions under the worst circumstances in the past. Of course, the local network of the country will stay active if such a problem occurs," he said. The deputy minister noted that the national Internet network covers all local areas and includes multiple structures. "The usage of a supporting network is providing stable and widespread connection between the provinces of Iran," he said.

From http://www.iran-daily.com/ 09/04/2008

TOP¡ü

¡¡

Iran to Offer Further Stake in TCI

The Iranian government has announced plans to follow its 5% share offering in August with the sale of a second stake in the state owned telecoms operator, the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI). The size of the holding to be offered to strategic investors had not yet been fixed but it is expected to be around 49%. Any foreign firm bidding for the stake would need to find an Iranian partner as a 35% limit has been set for