smsegov.info

(By Zaher Bitar, Staff Reporter; October 22, 2009)

Dubai: In an attempt to offer more convenient services to the residents, Dubai is moving its government-related services from e-government to m-government.

Since the launch of Dubai e-government seven years ago, all Dubai Government Departments have been increasing e-services. As a result, almost all government-related services have now been made available online.

However, as the world moves towards mobile phone-based applications and services, there has been a growing need for m-commerce and m-services for people on the move, to access information and services.

At the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (Gitex) 2009 government departments are showcasing their newest e- and m-services.

Mobile phones are used by a much wider spectrum of the public than the internet which requires a certain level of computer literacy.

In line with its strategy to facilitate access to its services and to simplify procedures for all residents, Dubai Police, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) have unveiled new mobile services at Gitex 2009.

SMS notification is one of the services used by all government institutions to inform clients about the status of their applications, records and new procedures and services offered by them.

Dubai Police

As part of a greater programme to simplify procedures, the Dubai Police seek to make mobile phones a delivery channel for its services to clients.

Ahmad Qaied, Computer Programmer and Analyst at Dubai Police, told Gulf News: “Recent statistics show millions of mobile users in the UAE have access to the internet through the mNet service which is supported even while roaming worldwide.

“Dubai residents are able to check or pay their traffic fines and fees by mobile phone through the mPay or Star Service ( *123#).”

However, to use all traffic services, Qaied said users are urged to register by inputting their traffic data accurately on the subscription page.

Also Dubai Police have a programme “Take care about the victim”, an SMS service which sends a regular follow-up notification to the victims about the status of complaints they filed with the police.

Residency

The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department is providing a new mobile phone-enabled service that lets users download a visa.

It is one of the latest innovations DNRD unveiled during Gitex 2009.

Director of DNRD’s IT Project Management, First Lieutenant Khalid Bin Mediya Al Falasi, said: “This service is very helpful for everyone as they can check visa status, rules for new residency visas and transactions from anywhere using your own mobile.”

The DNRD found that there was no better alternative other than for mobile phones to be a way to ease service delivery, he added.

However, one must first register for this service with the DNRD.

Mobile phones will be used by visitors to enter Dubai.

“Through the M-visa, visitors, residents and guests residing in Dubai and abroad will receive instant notification via e-mail and text messages upon issuance of their entry permits or visas of all types.”

“When their visa is issued, the user will be notified through an e-mail message with an original e-visa document, bearing the DNRD logo and signature of the director,” he said.

The secure PDF file will prevent any tampering with the details of the visitor.

RTA

Now people are able to pay their car parking fees via etisalat or du mobile through the mParking service.

This service includes all parking areas in Bur Dubai and will be expanded to all of the city’s districts by the beginning of 2011.

By sending an SMS to 7275 indicating the car plate number, zone number and duration of parking in hours a driver will receive a confirmation message which includes the virtual ticket details.

Al Bastaki said: “RTA also offers the mPay service for Salik but with a pre-registration for the personal details, car plate number and credit card information.”
(source: http://gulfnews.com/business/technology/m-services-to-simplify-things-for-all-1.517675)