IT and Authority: In 2015 Russia will offer infrastructure of public access to e-govt services

At the meeting of the Commission for Modernization and Technological Development of the Russian Federation (February 28 2011) the Minister of Communications and Mass Media of Russia Igor Shchegolev turned the spotlight on the e-govt services infrastructure. According to the Minister it features three levels: 1) departmental and regional information systems; 2) a macrosystem to enable their interaction; 3) mass access infrastructure – a portal offering private cabinets for users, infomats (electronic self-service terminals), universal cards, electronic signature, a united call center.

Here is what the statistics shows: since the launch of the govt service portal it has recorded more than 55 million requests; 500 000 users have registered their Private cabinets which since April 2010 has been offering an opportunity to submit applications. The portal has offered more than 680 000 services, while 12 types of services (registration of citizens of Russia on the territory of Russia, provision of bibliographic records from state library holdings, provision of official statistics at request of citizens and organizations, provision of information on summary offences, like road traffic etc.) are fully accessible via Internet, 26 types of services, including such popular as an issue of international and internal passports enable users to trace the progress.

Within the framework of the access infrastructure implementation first 500 infomats have been installed in different regions of Russia. They will provide services to different levels of population, including those who don’t have Internet access. Infomats will give an opportunity to enter or receive information, certain documents, pay duty, fines, public utility services etc. By 2015 the number of infomats will reach 100 000.

The Ministry of Communications and Mass Media is awaiting a serious effect of the “Electronic region” program which suggests working out a list of priority areas of industry informatization taking into account regional features. To speed up introduction of electronic services in regional and municipal bodies, the Ministry offers to use “SAAS” (software as a service) model: firstly – select successful solutions in regions, next introduce them into the Russian national “collection”, finally – introduce them in all other regions. It is said to help save the time and considerable expenses in federal and local budgets.