UK invites debate on e-government smart cards: The UK government has launched draft proposals on the introduction of e-government smart cards. A three-month public consultation period has been opened for the report, entitled "Smart Cards: Enabling e-Government." The document outlines policies for the implementation of smart card technology, which the government hopes will increase the take-up of on-line services. "Smart cards have the potential to increase take-up of government services by business and citizens alike, by allowing the customer to interact with government at a time and place of their choosing," said Douglas Alexander, minister for e-transformation at the Cabinet Office. Alexander also indicated that the use of smart cards would encourage a "joined-up attitude to service delivery across government" and open up the possibility of partnership with the private sector.
US launches customer service facility for citizens: The US federal government is launching a "customer service department" that promises to reply to citizens' queries within two days. The General Services Administration said the USA Services program would provide a "one-stop shop" where all public enquiries submitted to the government by Internet, e-mail or phone would receive a reply within two working days. Twelve US agencies have signed up to the program so far. Questions directed to the wrong agency will be redirected to USA Services staff, who will also provide agencies with a list of answers to frequently asked questions. "It's too hard to know who to contact in the federal government to get information," said Mark Forman of the Office of Management and Budget. "USA Services will change the way the federal government responds to citizens." Enquiries can be submitted via the government's main site, Firstgov.gov, or through a toll-free phone number.
US to up spending on knowledge management: US federal government spending on knowledge management products and services is set to reach USD1.3 billion over the next five years, according to a new study by Input. The market research firm says that spending on knowledge management solutions will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 9 percent, from USD820 million in fiscal year 2003 to almost USD1.3 billion in 2008. The study found that the recently established Department of Homeland Security will fuel much of the spending, along with agencies such as the Department of State and the Department of Justice. "Knowledge management solutions are an emerging area of new spending for agencies supporting homeland security missions, particularly those involving intelligence gathering, processing, and sharing," said Input analyst Payton Smith.
Portugal encourages use of Wi-Fi laptops in universities: The government of Portugal is helping to provide university students and professors with Wi-Fi-enabled laptops. Wi-Fi, or 802.11b, is a wireless standard that allows laptop users to connect to the Internet over a broadband connection, without the need for wires. Under the scheme, each of the country's 150,000 university students and professors will be offered laptops at a discounted rate, and special bank loans at reduced rates will be made available to those who cannot afford to buy a laptop outright. Wi-Fi "hotspots" will be established in all universities, and, although it will not be compulsory for students to purchase a laptop, universities will increasingly bring their administrative services on-line. An official from UMIC, the government's Innovation and Knowledge Society Unit, said the intention was to make Portugal a leader in Europe in terms of high-speed Internet usage.
E-Russia program enters second phase: The first phase of the Russian government's e-Russia program has been completed. The USD2.6 billion scheme, scheduled for completion in 2010, addresses four main areas: regulatory and legal issues, Internet infrastructure, e-government and e-education. The initiative aims to have up to 40 percent of all communications between federal, regional and local governments on-line by 2010. The second phase of the project, which takes place from 2003 to 2004, involves the rollout of feasibility studies and pilot projects, while the third phase, from 2005 to 2010, will see the implementation of e-government across all public sector agencies. The government hopes that the e-Russia program will both reduce bureaucracy for citizens and businesses when dealing with the government and make the federal and local government more efficient.
Quelle: electricnews.net
