IT and Society: First “infomat” unveiled in Russia

A solemn opening of the first infomat providing access to the govt. services portal took place on December 10 2010 at the Central Telegraph building in Moscow.

Infomat – is a device which enables each and every citizen, even those who do not have Internet connection, to access the govt. services portal.

Deputy Minister of Communications and Mass Media of Russia Ilya Massukh underscored that the main purpose of infomats was to eliminate bureaucratic gap between a citizen and a govt.

Using infomats citizens will be able to get information on services, provided by different departments, as well as pay, for instance, GAI fines or for public utility services. Infomat offers an option of private cabinet on the govt. services portal, which keeps information about the history of all user’s requests and payments.

The infomat has been equipped with a scanner and printer providing an opportunity to submit copies of documents to a department or print necessary forms, bills, or certificates.

Introduction of more services available via infomats is a matter of time.

As regards the ways of services payment, Ilya Massukh turned attention to several schemes. Thus, you can either print a bill and turn to Sberbank, or pay directly via the infomat in cash or by a credit card.

20 infomats will appear in Moscow, however the key target is to install them in regions which have problems with broadband Internet. By the end of the year over 500 infomats will be installed countrywide.