Importantly, the Government's use of DTV supports its target of delivering all services electronically by 2005 and ensuring they achieve high take-up. It also has potential implications for access, tackling the digital divide by bringing e-government services to those who are reluctant or unable to access them via a PC.
Douglas Alexander, said:
"DTV presents a wealth of opportunities to improve the way Government services are delivered and used. We must harness this potential to effectively interact with the citizen and deliver services that they need in a way that they want.
"In addition to the UK online interactive service, launched in April 2002, we have also seen a number of innovative DTV pilot projects including those from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department of Health and the Department of Work and Pensions. The new framework will allow Government to learn from these examples and build on them. "
Digital TV can get eGovernment into homes where there's no internet access
With strong penetration of digital TV into homes, in context of minimal broadband internet access in homes, Digital TV has the potential to allow many of those who have not so far been engaged by eGovernment to connect to information, entertainment and services - and enable UK eGovernment to take off rather than falter due to accessibility issues.
More than 98% of households possess at least one television set, making it one of the most pervasive, familiar and accepted devices in the home. Already, more than 11 million households have DTV and use their TV to gain access to a wide range of programming and a more engaging viewing experience. BSkyB is the dominant player of course.
There is already extensive activity in the area of DTV. In central government, several departments are engaged in digital television pilots to trial and better understand how best to use the medium in the delivery of eGovernment services. In particular the Department of Health, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Work and Pensions are carrying out work, together with last year's launch of the cross-governmental UK online interactive.
Local government is very much engaged in DTV, and a wide range of pilots are being undertaken across the country. DTV is an essential element of the Office of the e-Envoy's drive to deliver an integrated route to market for Government via UK online interactive.
Government policies on DTV and eGovernment: The following policies are the results of consultation across central and local government, with industry and the public. They form the framework that attempts to grasp the opportunity presented by DTV for eGovernment service delivery.
- Government at all levels, from central to local, should evaluate the benefits of DTV as a key channel for e-government using the strengths of this medium to deliver richer services and inclusiveness.
- Government should work with broadcasters, programme makers and Internet Service Providers to integrate links to e-government services with relevant programme content.
- Government will develop its DTV presence with UK online interactive as the primary route to market for Government and other public sector services on DTV.
- The Office of the e-Envoy will work with and integrate DTV pilot initiatives, for example the ODPM’s National Project and NHS Direct and share best practice across the public sector. The Office of the e-Envoy will also publish DTV information and statistics relating to the delivery of e-government services.
- The Office of the e-Envoy will consult on and develop standards for accessibility and usability of Government services on DTV. The Office of the e-Envoy will collaborate with the Digital Television Project over the development of technical capabilities.
