Tech for smarter governance

Mobile technologies are changing the way governments work on domestic policy priorities

The emergence of new media technologies and social communication tools have replaced the age-old existing legacy systems, transforming the way we live and think. From a business point of view, technologies such as cloud, virtualisation and consumerisation of IT are a few trends that are transforming trade worldwide. As that happens, governments and social organisations across the globe are awakening to the power of technology. Newer technologies are changing the way governments work on domestic policy priorities. Innovation is nurturing new ideas and programmes, with one common denominator, mobile technology. And if the Modi government's 'digital India campaign' is anything to go by, then diplomacy is perhaps amidst a technological revolution, greater than we would admit. Let's take a step back.

Internet penetration in the country continues on its upward trajectory. According to Mary Meeker's Internet Trends 2014 report, in 2013 alone, India has witnessed a 27 per cent growth in internet users compared to the global 10 per cent. While the report bases the current user base to 154 million, it reckons the huge scope of internet growth in the country, considering only 13 per cent of India being connected. Fuelling the internet growth further is the increased smartphone adoption.

In a country where mobile internet overtakes every other means of accessing the information superhighway, mobiles and smartphones have become critical to business as well. The mobile phone, therefore, offers a plethora of opportunities for governments to integrate technology for various aspects of governance be it tax process reforms, delivery of e-governance services, transforming urban living environment or to drive universal access to healthcare and education, thus, ensuring inclusive development and growth. In India, the scope for m-governance with its 931.95 million mobile subscribers (as of March 1, 2014, TRAI) is vast, as the government has plenty of opportunities to connect with the people and deliver services to meet their expectations.

As digital technologies becomes widespread, the explosive growth in smartphone penetration and mobile internet, even in the rural areas, would allow the governments to better understand citizen behaviour and adjust government policies to inform, interact, transact and transform at all levels.

As technology deciphers the way towards stable governance, inclusive and accessible healthcare, education and citizen services creating an enabling environment is a must. For this to happen, affordable mobile broadband and smartphones are a key imperative. In fact, studies show that mobility penetration has a direct impact on GDP. According to a report by Deloitte and GSMA, doubling of current mobile data penetration can lead to an increase in the GDP per capita growth rate of 0.5 percentage points, which, therefore, translates to a call to action, and will help us deliver mobile governance into the palms of individuals and consumers:

• A conducive policy framework: a stable operating environment that allows greater penetration, spectrum efficiencies to cover larger geographical limits, allowing spectrum trading and other allied initiatives for cross player collaboration.
   
• A vibrant app ecosystem: a utility of an innovative application ecosystem would help us create specific apps that cater to the needs of the citizen, be it an interface for making railways reservations or an app that helps reach your specialist doctor 200 km away at a government hospital.
   
• OEM/ telco partnerships: Partnerships with OEMs and carriers to ensure embedded apps are readily available or come pre-loaded with devices. Also partnerships with telcos on differentiated billing for emergency/ critical services like healthcare can go a long way in driving uptake and adoption.
   
• A robust platform: And most importantly underpinning all of the above is a stable secure network platform.

By Sunil Lalvani, MD, BlackBerry India