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According to Wikipedia (2010b) wireless is defined as “technologies where information
signals are transferred without using wires, as opposed to cordless, which are electrical
and electronic devices without cable or cord for mains power supply”. Communicating
through devices that are not physically connected can be referred to as Wireless. In
1894, one of the earliest example is the transmission of radio signals wirelessly by
Marconi (Goldstuck, 2003).
Therefore, governments need to make use of wireless technology in order to provide
mobile services. It becomes obvious that the success of m-Government depends on both
mobile and wireless technology. In their annual glossary of mobile and wireless,
Gartner research differentiated further the term “mobile wireless” and “semi-mobile
wireless” (as cited by du Preez (2009)). They explained that “mobile wireless means
that the client stays connected to the network at vehicular speeds”. They refer to “semi-
mobile wireless” when the device moves no faster than pedestrian speed while
remaining connected.
According to Maumbe and Owie (2006) m-Government is the use of mobile
technology to deliver government services and information. This includes mobile and
wireless networks devices. They pointed out that Laptop should be considered as a
portable device as it is not truly a mobile device. However, the advancement in the
technology shows that now most laptop or portable computer devices are capable of
accessing wireless networks using wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and/or Bluetooth.
Singh and Sahu (2008) argue that m-Government should not be seen as a substitute for
Web-based government. While mobile phones may have limitations in providing full
internet functionality, their additional channel can still be used to have access to
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