According to the European Union e-government report 2016, other countries should follow the steps Estonia has taken in e-governance and the availability of online services to the public.
Even though the report ranks the small Mediterranean nation of Malta as first in Europe for e-government services, it notes that Estonia has been capable of increasing its internet penetration in 2014-1015 and the awareness of its e-government services, “which were of high quality already”.
Read more: EU e-government report: countries should follow Estonia’s footsteps
Over 80 percent of public services in the EU are available online, but there are still wide differences in the quality and take-up of the services across EU countries, according to the latest benchmark study by the European Commission. A 'digital diagonal’ of countries from the southwest to the northeast of Europe perform above the European average and are also in most cases showing stronger progress than the European average, while the other European countries are below average on both progress and performance.
Up to 8,000 communities stand to benefit from new free wireless internet to be installed in public spaces
If you’re in the Wi-Fi network installation business in Europe, you might be about to get extremely busy. The head of the politico-economic union said its member states will be investing dramatically in Wi-Fi connectivity. The reason: to “empower” its subjects.
“Every European village and every city” will be equipped with a total of an equivalent of 134 million dollars-worth of non-payment, free wireless Internet by 2020.” The installs will occur around the “main centers of public life,” Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Union’s executive body, said in a state of the union address a few days ago.
The 13th eGovernment Benchmark Measurement for eGovernment Services evaluates the priority areas of the eGovernment Action Plan 2011-2015 and looks ahead to Europe’s ambitions for achieving digital governments by 2020.
While European governments succeed in gradually bringing more services online, results over time are incremental and need to be accelerated in order to keep up with rising expectations of citizens and businesses across Europe. Building digital capabilities can bring this acceleration and help governments deliver on the potential of digital. This is one of the main findings of the 13th Benchmark Measurement of European eGovernment Services, a study conducted by Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing services, IDC (International Data Corporation) and Politecnico di Milano School of Management for the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology. The report also reveals a huge variation in eGovernment performance across Europe. A string of countries from the South-West to the North-East of Europe – a ‘Digital Diagonal’[1] - succeeds in adequately delivering technological enablers above the European average, while other European countries are lagging behind.
Read more: European governments cautiously turn digital, though users desire more speed
How do you build a 'smart city?' What innovative factors lead to award-winning smarter technology examples to emulate? Which European city is the smartest? Let’s explore.
The top smart cities in Europe include Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Barcelona.
Or, depending upon who you talk to, what model you use and when you have the conversation, the list can also include Luxembourg and perhaps Vienna.