Telecommunications technology plays a key role in improving the efficiency of public services.

Telecommunications technology plays an increasingly important role in every aspect of our lives, from the way we communicate and work to the way we interact with government.

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing a transformative wave of digitalization, significantly impacting the efficiency of public services. Telecommunications technology is at the forefront of this evolution, enabling governments to improve service delivery, enhance citizen engagement and drive socio-economic development.

Digitalization of public services is a key aspect of modern governance, aiming to make services more accessible, efficient and transparent. According to a report, digitalization in the public sector has led to significant improvements in service delivery across countries in the region. The integration of telecommunications infrastructure plays a key role in this transformation, providing the necessary connectivity and platform for digital public services.

In countries such as Singapore, South Korea and Japan, advanced telecommunications networks support e-government services, allowing citizens online access to a wide range of services, from tax filing to health care consultation. In addition, governments have also developed digital platforms to provide online public services to citizens.

For example, in Singapore, the government has built a digital platform called “LifeSG” to provide citizens and businesses with online public services easily and conveniently. This platform is built on the principle of “one-stop” and “paperless”, allowing citizens to conduct many transactions with the government without having to visit government agencies.

Since its launch in 2020, the digital platform “LifeSG” has become an important platform for providing online public services to Singaporeans. The platform has been used by more than 2 million citizens and businesses.

Meanwhile, Japan’s “e-Gov” digital platform is a program implemented by the Japanese government that aims to use information and communications technology (ICT) to provide public services more efficiently, conveniently, and easily accessible to citizens. The program was launched in 2001 and has gone through several stages of development, with the ultimate goal of transforming Japan into an “advanced information society.”

Similarly, Malaysia’s digital platform “MyEG” provides a wide range of online public services to citizens and businesses. The “MyEG” platform was launched in 1998 with the aim of making Malaysia a leading country in e-Government.

The pivotal role of advanced telecommunications solutionsin improving the efficiency of public services

Today’s telecommunications technology plays a breakthrough role in promoting the efficiency of public services, providing a myriad of innovative solutions to enhance the citizen experience. Typically, mobile applications, integrating 5G-Advanced, cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, facilitate real-time communication, data collection and intelligent service delivery.

A good example is mobile applications in the public health sector. In India, mobile health (mHealth) initiatives have completely transformed the way healthcare is delivered, especially in remote areas where healthcare facilities are limited. Through mHealth platforms, people can easily access remote consultations, monitor their health, and receive health information, contributing to improving the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare for the community.

Cloud computing is another important telecommunications solution that can improve the efficiency of public services across the board. By moving public sector data and applications to the cloud, government agencies can achieve significant flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. For example, the Philippines has adopted cloud-based solutions to streamline its tax administration system, resulting in faster processing times and reduced administrative costs.

IoT devices are also transforming public services through their ability to monitor and manage public infrastructure in real time. Smart city initiatives across Asia-Pacific, such as in China and Malaysia, use IoT sensors to monitor traffic flow, air quality, and energy consumption. These smart systems enable city managers to make data-driven decisions, improve urban management efficiency, and improve the quality of life for citizens.

In general, advanced telecommunications solutions play a key role in improving the efficiency of public services, bringing a more convenient, faster and transparent experience to citizens. The effective application of these technologies will contribute to promoting the development of smart administration, towards a better future for society.

Promoting mobile connectivity to improve public service efficiency

Mobile connectivity is not only the foundation for the development of the telecommunications industry, but also plays a key role in improving the efficiency of public services and bringing great economic benefits. According to a report by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSMA), mobile connectivity has been making significant contributions to national GDP and the labor market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Extending mobile networks to remote areas where infrastructure is limited is critical to closing the digital divide and ensuring access to public services for all citizens. This allows governments to deliver essential services such as education, health care, and financial assistance more efficiently and conveniently.

In Indonesia, the deployment of mobile networks has helped improve the quality of education for students in remote areas. Mobile learning platforms provide online materials and lectures, enabling students to access knowledge anytime, anywhere. Online learning not only improves learning outcomes but also helps develop digital skills and competencies for the younger generation, contributing to the overall development of the country.

Furthermore, the growth of mobile payments has brought financial access to people in areas where traditional banking services are not available. In countries such as Bangladesh and Cambodia, mobile payments have become a popular payment method, making it easy for people to make transactions such as paying bills, transferring money, saving and borrowing money. These services play an important role in promoting financial inclusion, economic empowerment and poverty reduction.

Mobile connectivity has been creating positive impacts on all aspects of life, promoting economic growth and improving the quality of life for people. Continued investment in mobile infrastructure development and the application of innovative mobile technology solutions will contribute to opening up new opportunities for sustainable development in the future.

Transforming public services in Asia-Pacific: Strong progress through breakthrough initiatives

The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing a strong breakthrough in the application of innovative initiatives to narrow the gap in connectivity infrastructure, thereby improving the efficiency of public services. Typical impressive examples include the following:

India

The government has launched two initiatives, includingDigital India Program(Digital India), launched in 2015 with the aim of promoting the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to improve the efficiency of public services, foster innovation and create economic opportunities for all Indians.

The second initiative is India's Smart Cities Mission,This is a program under the Digital India Program that aims to develop 100 cities across India into smart cities. These smart cities will use ICT technology to improve the efficiency of urban services such as transportation, energy, water, waste and urban governance.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

The ASEAN Smart Cities Network initiative was initiated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote the development of smart cities in the region through sharing knowledge, experience, mutual support and promoting cooperation.

To date, 26 cities from 10 ASEAN countries have joined this network, of which a number of typical smart city projects have been implemented, such as: Nusantara smart city in Indonesia, Penang smart city in Malaysia, Phuket smart city in Thailand and Da Nang smart city in Vietnam.

Australia

In Australia, the government has developed the National Broadband Network Project, which is a telecommunications infrastructure project funded by the Australian Government with the aim of providing high-speed internet services to all Australians, especially in areas that are not yet covered by internet services.

Singapore

Smart Nation Initiative (SNIs)is a strategic program initiated by the Singapore Government in 2014 with the goal of transforming the country into a world-leading smart city. SNIs focus on applying information and communication technology (ICT) to all aspects of social life, aiming to improve the quality of life for people, promote economic growth and build a sustainable Singapore.

Japan

Along with countries in the region, Japan has also implemented the Super City Initiative,This is an initiative launched by the Japanese Government in 2015 with the aim of promoting smart urban development, economic development and sustainable city building. This initiative focuses on applying advanced technology to solve urban challenges and improve the quality of life for people.

While the application of innovations to public services brings many great benefits, there are still a number of infrastructural, legal and cybersecurity challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the transformation.

By addressing infrastructure, legal and cybersecurity challenges, Asia-Pacific countries can fully exploit the potential of telecommunications to build modern, efficient, transparent and more convenient public service systems for their citizens. Successful public service transformation will contribute to promoting socio-economic development and improving the quality of life for people in the region.

Future prospects

The future of telecommunications in improving public service efficiency is promising, with emerging technologies promising to drive further innovation. 5G, AI and blockchain are some of the technologies that have great potential to improve public services.

5G networks will provide ultra-high-speed connectivity, essential for advanced applications such as self-driving cars, smart grids and telemedicine. These applications can revolutionize public services, making them more efficient, reliable and accessible.

In addition, AI technology can automate routine administrative tasks, analyze large data sets for decision-making, and provide personalized services to citizens. For example, AI chatbots can handle a significant portion of customer requests, freeing up human resources for more complex tasks. In the field of public health, AI can support disease surveillance and management, improving healthcare outcomes.

Blockchain technology provides a secure and transparent way to manage public records and transactions. By leveraging blockchain, governments can improve the integrity and reliability of public services. This is especially relevant to land registration, voting systems, and supply chain management in public procurement.

With the powerful combination of 5G, AI and blockchain, the future of telecommunications promises to bring about breakthrough innovations, contributing to improving the efficiency and quality of public services, creating a better life for people.