IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Technology has become one of the biggest points of differentiation between the major political parties, making it a key consideration for voters.

Last week's ICT Policy Forum at the National Press Club in Canberra brought together the ICT political representatives from the Labor Party, the Coalition and the Greens to debate their policies in front of a full house of industry stakeholders and media.

Wealthy IT entrepreneur Dave Stevens says the National Broadband Network is a waste of money and more attention should be put on improving connections in rural areas through technology, including wireless and satellite.

The comments come as pressure builds on the Government to release a cost-benefits analysis for the massive infrastructure project, with entrepreneurs including TPG chief executive David Teoh and Wotif founder Graeme Wood calling for such a report.

The belief is that such investment will lead to greater economic wealth and social fulfilment for that particular country – and if not acted upon soon, some of the opportunities, especially around industry competitiveness, will be lost as other countries will have already seized the advantage. However, high-speed broadband investment (deploying fibre in the access network) can run into billions of dollars and the real benefits are hard to quantify and prove.

The growth of ICT exports needs to be supported with an Australian ICT brand, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) has reported.

The latest Australian ICT Trade Update has found that ICT goods and services are in the top 10 exports for Australia and account for 1.8 per cent of exports. During 2009, ICT exports fell 11 per cent to $4.5 billion.

AIIA CEO Ian Birks said that constructive relationships between business, industry and government and a willingness by all those sectors to engage proactively to find the best digital economy outcomes would be the key to success.

"The technology sector must take a leading role in the development of strong pilot applications, as well as helping businesses to understand where growth can be realised today," Birks said. "Initiatives that help individual businesses to expand markets and increase productivity will be the foundation of that work."

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) is urging the new NSW Government to seize the opportunity to make smarter and transformative use of its information and communications technology as a central plank to its reform agenda.

“AIIA is committed to working closely with the NSW Government – along with the broader business community – at every level to maximise the outcomes that technology can deliver to the state’s productivity growth, skills, jobs and better service delivery,” AIIA CEO, Ian Birks, said.

Australiens Regierung will einen Fahrplan für die Entwicklung der digitalen Wirtschaft des Landes erarbeiten. Dabei will sie auch die Bürger einbeziehen: Sie können auf einer Website ihre Meinung zur digitalen Zukunft des Landes äußern.

The statement came from Rabiyyat Aslanova, the chairwoman of the Committee on Human Rights of the Milli Majlis.

In an interview to the New Azerbaijan Party, she noted at the same time, security, a predominant principle of any information, should also be focused.

Deputy communications minister Elmir Velizadeh of Azerbaijan emphasized that Azerbaijan actively developing ICT area hopes for co-operation with Latvia in it.

“Over the past 5 years ICT sector growth in Azerbaijan made up about 32%. Its growth is expected this year as well despite the global economic crisis. To the large extent, this is a desert of private companies making 80% in this sector,” Velizadeh said.

The information age presuppose developing of the information and communication technologies at fast pace to ensure security and stable development of any country of the world. Azerbaijan, the leading country of the region in terms of the ICT, continues to develop this sector by attracting major player and startups to share experience in the sphere at Bakutel exhibition.

The BakuTel 2015 – International Telecommunications and Information Technologies Exhibition and Conference is open in Baku for the 21st time from December 2 until December 5.

The ICT Centre reports that within the framework of the State Program on Education System Computerization of Azerbaijan for 2008-12 it is planned this year to create a single national educational sphere and opportunities for quality education with wide application of information and communication technologies.

Priority directions of this year’s activity is computerization of the regional educational institutions by 1,500 computers given to schools in Baku and Sumgait in 2005, and the modernization of the computer park of the capital and Sumgait schools by providing them with 1,500 new computers.

This consultant will ensure the achievement of the objectives as part of the new state program for the development of the information society.

A successful government is judged by its capacity to turn policy into action, but a capable government can only be enabled by a wide variety of parameters — a crucial one being a country’s political stability.

It is part of the kingdom's firm commitment and participatory pivotal role with the international community in order to review the significant global results and challenges within the information and communications (ICT) sector.

The high-level event is being held at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) headquarters in Geneva until Friday.

“Through e-learning, e-health, e-government, climate monitoring and more, today's and tomorrow's technologies will help bring the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] within reach,” Mr. Ban said in his message to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum, which got under way today in Geneva.

“The power of fixed and mobile broadband will further improve our ability to extend basic services to communities – even those in the remotest places – in ways that where inconceivable when the MDGs were first articulated more than a decade ago.

The national budget reflects the government's commitment towards Digital Bangladesh, but possibly falls short with respect to giving a clear direction about the approach it will take to realise the goal. Its commitment is indicated by the fact that the total allocation for ICT-related components has substantially increased from last year.

The event styled as "The Singapore Experience: Ingredients for successful Nation-wide eTransformation" was organised to mark the 'Singapore ICT Day event for South Asia'.

There are three main types of ICT systems -- Information system that focuses on managing data and information, Control system a system that controls machines. It uses inputs, processes the input, and provides output. Third is the Communication system, which deals with transfer of data from one place to another.

Although a national policy on ICT was adopted in 2002, the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology had not been able to achieve the goals set out for e-governance in the policy. This led the present government to appoint Spinnovation and DNet (together with an international partner, Gov3 Limited) to develop a short, medium and long-term national ICT action plan or roadmap for Bangladesh on the basis of the National ICT Policy 2002.

Ministry of Science and ICT and Development Research Network D.Net, jointly oirganised the first National e-Content and ICT for Development Award 2010 at the National Museum on August 9.

Thirty-two organisations were awarded for developing information and communication technology, in the first national competition of its kind in the country. The organisers also honoured some noted personalities for their lifetime contribution to their respective fields by dedicating the awards.