UAE Federal Electronic Network to be ready next year

Dubai: Authorities are getting one step closer to achieving a Smart Government, as the country’s first Electronic Federal Network is on track and is expected to be ready by July 2015.

Once completed, residents will be able to reap the benefits of having 42 federal entities connected to each other, offering efficient services at a reduced cost.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the project started at the beginning of 2014 and is expected to be completed in 18 months.

“This project falls in line with the wider UAE mGovernment Initiative and seeks to create the necessary national infrastructure to enable the provision of all government services via mobile platforms,” said Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, mGovernment Director.

This project is divided into two phases, the first of which is the construction of the network’s technical centre, followed by a pilot exercise to measure its performance.

Both these phases are expected to be accomplished during the last week of October this year.

“The project embodies the directives of our wise leadership, which has instructed all UAE government entities to collaborate and enhance levels of service delivery. These efforts are also focused at making the best use of modern technological advancements to serve the UAE citizens, residents and visitors,” he said.

Once the network is completed, the project will connect all federal institutions, raising its efficiency and reducing its costs, in addition to enhancing the transition from an electronic to a smart government.

“The giant leap from eGovernment to smart government confirms the UAE’s growing stature and showcases the sincere efforts being made by its leadership to ensure sustainable progress,” said Saeed Belhoul, director, eGovernment Operations.

“This electronic connectivity project further establishes the concept of unified access and will allow all customers to access their personal accounts at various government entities using the same username and password,” he added.