Prabir K DasWBEIDC

Mobility, New access devices & Quad-Play

Advent of new technologies 3G/4G wireless

networksSmart-phones, TABs,

PDAsThese technologies have

truly enabled availability of voice, data and video services to mobile devices over wireless networks

Come to be known as Quad-play services

New-age mobile devices1997

2000

2005

2009

2012

m-governance: e-governance through mobility

e-Governance is the use of information technology , WAN, and Internet by Government agencies to make G2C services available at Citizen’s doorstep.

m-Governance is not a replacement for e-Governance, rather it complements e-Governance.

m-Governance, on the other hand, is the use of mobile or wireless technologies like cellular phones, laptops, Tablets and PDAs with wireless Internet connections to improve Govt. services and strengthen peoples reach “anytime, anywhere”.

m-Governance Adoption: Mobile/Wireless Applications in e-Governance

m-Communication (G2C2G)m-Services (Transactions and Payments)m-Administrationm-Democracy

m-Communication (G2C2G)Mobile devices provide an important access channel for

governments to reach citizens (G2C)Citizens can subscribe to SMS/e-mail alerts for various e-services

renewal of road tax, passport renewal notifications court sitting/hearing deferrals license-renewal exam results Security threat alerts Emergency broadcasts

SMS is an effective channel for citizens to communicate with government (C2G).Citizens can text their representatives to comment and complain about government officials and services

m-AdministrationHealth

Monitoring Progress – NRHM Telemedicine

Irrigation / Water Resources Capturing Reservoir Storages Monitoring Releases of water through Sluices Monitoring Minors and sub minors area under a

given Canal

• Electricity Board/ Urban Local Bodies Citizen Grievances Bill Collections

• Public Works Monitoring

m-Services & m-Democracym-Services (Transactions and Payments)

SMS and other mobile devices enable government-to-citizen transactions.

Owing to security issues , Transactions and payments have not taken off in India yet.

In other countries m-tickets can be used in public transport

m-Democracy Use of SMS and mobile devices for citizen input to political

decision-making is an m-governance application with tremendous potential to enhance democratic participation.

Owing to security & secrecy issues, this is still experimental From DeitY app store, an RTI application can be downloaded

using which citizens can seek information from the government.

DeitY initiatives to promote m-governanceNational Rollout of Mobile Service Delivery Gateway (MSDG) to ensure easy

availability of Government services to common man by making them accessible through mobile devices

Target outcomes by Dec 2013 Development of MSDG platform for all delivery channels (http://mgov.gov.in) Mobile App Store with 75 live Apps Mobile Payment Gateway and Mobile Wallet Transactions: 1.0 crore transactions per month (TPM)

The app store (http://apps.mgov.gov.in) was launched in last week of May with popular apps like RTI and Adhaar card.

The government is setting up a new fund to provide financial support to mobile start-ups that are developing e-governance applications

Some mobile applications in e-governance Food & Civil Supplies

Tracking Lorry Movements and stocks at warehouses Information on availability of Ration at FP Shops

Irrigation / Water Resources Reservoir Levels monitoring

Urban Local Bodies Grievance Redress Garbage dump removals

Water Supply SMS a water tanker

• Railways Ticket Booking

Examination Results and Mark Lists Agriculture

Weather Reports, Market prices, seed availability etc.

M-Government: Pros and ConsIntegrates Data, Voice & Video communication-modes

that are typically used by Government to communicateCost of ownership and operations are relatively small and

affordable Improved convenience-anytime, anywhere Penetration is much higher than normal wireline

InternetPersonalized information can be targeted to a specific

user Requires less training to operate than a PC

m-Government: Pros and ConsCan be operated with erratic power supply and without

fixed line telecom accessCan connect with a number of devices such a biometric

identifiers, smart cards, small printers in a wireless modeCan easily communicate with back end servers and

integrate with existing ICT applicationsCan be scaled up quickly because of less stringent

requirements of power and training.Handle small amounts of data on screen and for transfer.

Role of Mobiles in Government Service DeliveryNature of government services Role of internet kiosk Role of mobile

Document issue

Issue of certificates/ licenses (Birth and death certificate, ration card, electoral card etc.)

Suitable Not Suitable

Bill/Tax payments

Issue of demand notice (electricity, phone and water bills, notice for property tax, land

revenue)Not Suitable Suitable

Receiving payments against bills/notices Suitable Not Suitable

Information Exchange

Push messages (alerts during emergencies like riots, natural calamities and disasters,

traffic updates etc.)Not Suitable Suitable

C2G enquiries (on employment opportunities, agricultural product prices, filing crime reports, filing complaints/ grievances) Suitable Not Suitable

Challenges in Promoting m-GovernmentModerate penetration, given the low purchasing power. Only

low cost mobiles specially designed for the needs of the poor can enhance penetration. The basic service is affordable but is limited by the restriction on

size of SMS (no longer than 160 characters) and a small screen.Other value-added services and features such as MMS, packet-

switched connection (GPRS), Voice-enabled services (voice SMS), data transfer cards (3G devices), bigger screens etc require expensive phones and services.

Ability of mobiles to handle many local languages.Protecting privacy and providing security for data

Challenges in Promoting m-GovernmentDelivery of Government services through mobiles is not a

part of the NeGP in its current design.Awareness/preparedness of govt. agencies to alter

traditional ways of serving customers and adopt m-government

High illiteracy prevents self use by citizens. The main challenge is to educate the rural poor on the usage of a phone

Enabling legislation-law does not recognize mobile documents and transactions

Innovative E-Governance Practices in West Bengal

• SMS based disaster alarm system• E-district pilots rolled-out in Bankura and

Jalpaiguri. Roll-out in other districts will start shortly.

• State data centre is successfully operational• Centralized Web based Document

Management system for DM office Darjeeling