MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Dubai moves from e-government to m-government

Bob Russell · 09-24-2006, 10:42 AM

Online access to government services is so passé and ordinary. What's "in" today is the move toward making government services available to mobile users!

The UAE has an amazing 120% rate of mobile penetration, and probably a boatload of cash, so it's only natural that they are the early adopters. According to the Khaleej Times, Rehab Lootah is the acting eServices director Dubai e-government. She said that "m-government had allowed Dubai Government to increase the productivity and effectiveness of public departments and improved the delivery of government information and services. It has also increased the channels for public interactions and lowered administration costs, all of which has resulted in higher levels of public participation..."

Starting in 2003, SMS provided services like the following to over 7 million people:
* Driver's license renewals
* Traffic information
* Health card renewals
* Trade license renewals
* Flight information
* Traffic fine payment

Then in 2005, the services became available at a mobile web portal, and included things like travel and financial services information, prayer timings and police information.

The next goal is to have 90% of government services online by 2007. Quite an impressive application of mobile technology.

09-24-2006, 10:42 AM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Dubai moves from e-government to m-government Online access to government services is so passé and ordinary. What's "in" today is the move toward making government services available to mobile users! The UAE has an amazing 120% rate of mobile penetration, and probably a boatload of cash, so it's only natural that they are the early adopters. According to the Khaleej Times, Rehab Lootah is the acting eServices director Dubai e-government. She said that "m-government had allowed Dubai Government to increase the productivity and effectiveness of public departments and improved the delivery of government information and services. It has also increased the channels for public interactions and lowered administration costs, all of which has resulted in higher levels of public participation..." Starting in 2003, SMS provided services like the following to over 7 million people: * Driver's license renewals * Traffic information * Health card renewals * Trade license renewals * Flight information * Traffic fine payment Then in 2005, the services became available at a mobile web portal, and included things like travel and financial services information, prayer timings and police information. The next goal is to have 90% of government services online by 2007. Quite an impressive application of mobile technology.