Taiwan began promoting the National Information and Communication Initiative in 2002. Since then, Taiwan has ranked favorably in information readiness rankings and scores carried out by the International Telecommunication Union, Brown University and the World Economic Forum. In the annual global e-government survey carried out by Brown University, Taiwan has placed first in three of the past six years. In two other years it ranked second. Meanwhile, Taiwan ranked tenth in the world in the International Telecommunication Union's 2006 Digital Opportunity Index. Furthermore, Taiwan has historically ranked among the top nations in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index. In 2006, for example, Taiwan ranked seventh of the 115 countries included in the index.
In terms of infrastructure, a total of 14.52 million people use the Internet in Taiwan, translating to an Internet penetration rate of 63.8%. The government has switched to using exclusively electronic documents. In addition, 2.23 million residents used the Internet to file their tax returns last year. The time required to file taxes over the Internet is only about 10 minutes. This is equivalent to a savings of NT$4.5 billion in social costs. A total of 29,568 firms in Taiwan have received assistance in employing e-commerce applications in their business, providing employment opportunities for 376,790 persons. A total of 244 public access points have been set up in remote areas in order to create digital opportunities for everyone. According to a survey carried out by the Executive Yuan's Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission, Yunlin County is home to the largest digital divide in Taiwan. Nonetheless, the number of computer users in the county in 2006 rose 1.7 percentage points to 54.6% compared with 2005. In addition, the percentage of indigenous people who have used computers has risen significantly to 62.7% from 44.5%. Meanwhile, the number of these people who have used the Internet has gone from 39.9% to 55.4%. These are just some of the accomplishments achieved so far.
Minister without Portfolio Lin Ferng-ching said during the meeting of the Executive Yuan that information and communications technology (ICT) will drive future social growth and will be the engine behind economic development. He noted how countries throughout the world are investing in e-readiness. For instance, IT expenditures of the British government in 2006 amounted to 1.19% of GDP, while those in the United States were 1.08% of GDP and in Singapore 0.83% of GDP. In Taiwan, however, budget cuts last year caused the government's information expenditures to be only 0.45% of GDP, which is comparatively low. Lin said this could inhibit Taiwan's national competitiveness and economic growth.
Therefore, in the next phase of the ICT initiative, the government should devote large amounts of funds in public information-related projects. It should work in tandem with developments in emerging information technology and trends in applications. It should encourage creative services, network convergence, sensor networks, security and trust, and interaction between people and machines, he said. He added that from the perspective of public needs, innovative information applications should be included into everyday life, enabling the public (and in particular middle-aged or elderly people who are not in the habit of using computers), to overcome any restrictions of time, space or various kinds of machinery. The public should be able to conveniently and safely log on to the Internet and obtain all the services it requires in daily life, he said.
Lin pointed out several examples. First, he said that background information on the production of products should be able to be obtained electronically so that people can feel safe about buying and eating these products. He also called for the promotion of emergency information services that would provide assistance in medical care and health consultation services. This would be particularly helpful to the ill, the elderly, and children. Another example was to promote a an "intelligent home," creating a protection system for communities that would provide residents with a safe and convenient residential environment. Also, mobile vehicles could help provide all sorts of services, making travel easier and more convenient.
Over the next five years, the government is expected to appropriate NT$55.6 billion in funds, with NT$11.3 billion for the promotion of new applications that will play a role in the everyday lives of people, such as food, medicine, residence, traveling, education and entertainment. Another NT$26.5 billion will be used to continue to develop a high-speed broadband (wireless) network. Meanwhile, NT$8.8 billion will be used to promote new e-government-related services. The remaining funds will be used to create equal digital opportunities and technology service industries. It is hoped that the efforts will create an outstanding network-based society in Taiwan and make Taiwan a model for such work.
The National Information and Communication Initiative has a number of key objectives, including: (1) To give at least 80% of Taiwan access to a high-speed convergence network of over 30Mbps; (2) To let at least half of the public enjoy applications and services associated with a digital lifestyle with an 80% satisfaction level; (3) To let 55% of the public utilize e-government services with a level of satisfaction of 60%; (4) To have three billion items seamlessly connected to the high-speed internet convergence network, (5) To have the Ubiquitous Network Society emerging industry chalk up an annual production value of NT$1 trillion.
After listening to the report, Premier Su Tseng-chang issued a directive that the Ubiquitous Network Society should be the central focus of the National Information and Communication Initiative. He added that the government must pay close attention to the ratings Taiwan receives in global rankings, and the government must also work to meet the needs of the public. He said that the function and online services provided by government websites must also be strengthened. He said that these initiatives will increase Taiwan's competitive advantage in the international knowledge-based economy. He said that it is imperative that the public and private sectors work together to achieve these policy goals.
Quelle/Source: MyEGov, 29.03.2007
