What can Dubai learn from this experience
The study, "Mobile Communications in the Irish Public Sector", was carried out by iReach on behalf of the mobile operator O2 Ireland.
It maintains that mobile services not only provide a major opportunity for greater application of e-government than traditional computer based technologies, they also offer the potential for a significant increase in public sector productivity and job satisfaction.
The iReach report identifies a number of areas where greater adoption of mobile technology can reduce costs through increased public sector productivity, as well as boosting services to the citizen.
"A major cost for any organisation is labour, so if productivity can be increased this has implications for delivering value through public services," said Gerry McQuaid, commercial director, O2 Ireland, in a statement.
"As such, the first big area for potential savings is internal communications within the public sector itself. For example, in situations where remote public sector workers can use mobile technology rather than wasting time having to return to the office to access e-mail or file data."
Another example cited in the report highlights the savings that could be amassed by hospitals who choose to use text messaging to alert an out patient of an impending appointment. Not only would this reduce costs by cutting down on administration, stationary and postal costs, but it would also enable patients to respond immediately by text if they are unable to keep the appointment.
In addition to highlighting the cost savings that can be made, the report also suggests that the Government could exploit the popularity of mobile phones to combat emerging digital divides.
Recent ComReg figures indicate that the mobile penetration rate in Ireland is now over 100 percent, while the PC penetration level stands at a paltry 45 percent. With this in mind, the study's authors indicate that it may make more sense for the state to begin offering "m-government" services, rather than continuing to focus on offering services which can only be accessed via the internet.
"Accessibility remains the key issue to be resolved in bridging an emerging digital divide. Mobile technologies will play a key role in addressing this by providing citizens and businesses with better access to government services," said Oisin Byrne, managing director of iReach, in a statement.
"This is particularly true given the high penetration of mobile devices in Ireland and the relatively low internet and broadband access rates of citizens. Significantly, those in most need of access to public services are least likely to have PC or internet access but are much more likely to have mobile phones," he added.
A study conducted by the mobile messaging and data services provider Puca in December 2004 suggests that citizens would be interested in communicating with the Government and public sector using their mobile phones.
Of those surveyed by Puca, 48 percent mentioned that they would be interested in receiving text message reminders about NCT tests, driving tests and hospital appointments from the public sector. Another 48 percent said they would like to be able to request information from the public sector via text message.
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