Proceedings of 8th European Assembly on telework (Telework2001)

137Telecommunication services penetration data1998 1999 2000Basic telephone lines 499000 515000 522000Private telephone lines 393000 411000 413000Mobile telephone subscribers 249000 388000 557000Cable-TV subscribers 99000 126000 151000ISDN lines 22478 30762 41008Source: Statistical Offi ce <strong>of</strong> EstoniaUsers <strong>of</strong> computers and Internet among inhabitants between 15 and 74 years <strong>of</strong> ageNo <strong>of</strong> people having usedcomputer in last six monthsNo <strong>of</strong> people having usedInternet in last 6 monthsOwners (users) <strong>of</strong> homecomputers1998 1999 2000 2001348000(31%)114000(10%)130000(12%)369000(34%)173000(16%)150000(14%)415000(38%)309000(28%)201000(18%)444000(40%)356000(32%)272000(24%)Sources: BMF Gallup Media, EmorInfrastructure development is crucial success factor for wider spreading <strong>of</strong> telework and othernew ways to work using modern telecommunication facilities. It is important to create fruitfulpreconditions. Let us characterize some legal, technological and psychological aspects <strong>of</strong> what isdone in Estonia.Key legislative measuresDigital Signatures Act Passed 8 March 2000, entered into force 15 December 2000,This Act provides the necessary conditions for using digital signatures and the procedure forexercising supervision over the provision <strong>of</strong> certification services and time-stamping services. Adigital signature has the same legal consequences as a hand-written signature.Effective signing and identification possibilities are crucial for wider spread <strong>of</strong> telework incorporate level, dealing with sensitive data and personal responsibilities.Estonian EID-program http://www.id.ee/The purpose <strong>of</strong> Estonian EID-program is to make use nation-wide electronic identity anddevelop a new personal identification card that would be a generally acceptable identificationdocument and contain both visually and electronically accessible information. The card should bemultifunctional national passport from beginning <strong>of</strong> 2002 – besides being a nationally acceptedpersonal identification token, it would also serve other purposes, both in the public (social security,health insurance etc) and private sectors (banks, service companies etc). Estonian ID-card willbased on smartcard technology with crypto-processor, it will carry both electronic identificationand digital signing possibilities.