e-GOVERNMENT IN FINLAND - ePractice.eu

egional authorities is decisive, even though the principle of partnership is widely applied. For example,
the Suupohja Information Network Project aims to help small enterprises, schools, municipalities and
public organisations and local inhabitants to apply and utilise the opportunities of modern information
networks. The project will develop a wide information network infrastructure connecting small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), schools and colleges, municipalities and libraries to each other and to
the Internet. The project is based on the computer network in Kauhajoki, the largest municipality of the
area.
139. The 2002 Programme of Action to Promote Online Government stressed the need for plans to
augment public access to electronic services by increasing the number of public Internet terminals in
libraries, joint service points, major shopping areas and other public spaces. In addition, the plan calls for
an extension of the availability of broadband connections (BB for All by 2005). These initiatives target the
general public as well as disabled citizens and other marginalised groups.
140. As discussed in Part 3.2.2, “Online transactions”, access is a multi-dimensional concept,
concerning not only access to or possession of ICT, but also the knowledge and skills to use ICT
effectively regardless of age, physical impairment, education, wealth, geographical area, etc. 23 The digital
divide is as much an issue of familiarity with information technology and general ICT skills as it is access
to the Internet. On this front, observers of the information society in Finland are also relatively positive.
Key Points - 23
x The remoteness of some Finnish regions makes improving access to Internet terminals a
key priority for the development of e-enablers. Rural connectivity projects have
strengthened collaboration between municipalities and fostered co-operation between
public and private actors.
x The government’s strategy to overcome the digital divide has sought to develop and
reinforce IT knowledge and experience as well as improving access based on an awareness
of continued differences in ICT use within Finnish society.
3.4.2 Alternative Internet access channels
141. As advanced technologies have become available to the public at large (i.e. the Internet, SMS,
WAP services) and their popularity rises, the use and acceptability of electronic services is likely to
increase as well. In particular, Finland’s telecommunications sector offers citizens well-known channels
for receiving certain types of services. The use of mobile phones as a channel for service delivery offers
the advantages of wireless connection, high penetration and familiarity (see Box 3.5). For example, in 2002
94% of the Finnish population had a mobile phone
142. For the moment, as in most OECD countries, these additional channels are under-utilised.
OECD-wide, alternative Internet access routes are expanding but will be used differently from the PC-
Internet model in the foreseeable future. Even with a dramatic increase in use of the most common
alternative Internet services (i.e. e-mail, entertainment, news, location services), opportunities to access
23 A. Hopkins (2002), Discussion paper on the issue of responsive e-government services from the perspective of
service users. OECD E-government Seminar on Vision, Context and Responsiveness, Paris, 11-12 March 2002.
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