Application for radio licences via the Internet (OFCOM)

A service-oriented eGovernment framework has been created with reusable solution models and reusable services to make the Swiss Federal Administration’s online services much cheaper and much more efficient in future. The paradigm change needed to construct the framework was embedded at the strategic, organisational and regulatory level. The framework, based on open standards, offers reusable services such as access and identity management (AIM) or payment and is supplemented by reusable technical components for secure online transactions. eLicensing is an online service for awarding national radio licences and is the first application to use this new eGovernment framework.

Policy Context

Switzerland’s eGovernment strategy, which is also related to the Commission of the European Communities’ “i2010 – A European Information Society for Growth and Employment” initiative, aims to co-ordinate processes to make use of the synergies in public administration. This also includes standardisation and using common solutions. This is expected, firstly, to promote the efficient provision of new services for businesses and citizens and, secondly, to reduce considerably the cost of development and provision. The Swiss Federal Administration’s strategy for information and communication technologies (ICT) is based on Switzerland’s eGovernment strategy and envisages the widespread use of service-oriented architectures. Governance throughout the confederation will be by means of a programme under the auspices of the Federal Strategy Unit for IT (FSUIT). The specific business, application and technology architectures realised for eLicensing are in line with these higher-order strategic targets.

Description of target users and groups

The eGovernment framework is available to all 80 government offices in the 7 departments of the Swiss Federal Administration. The target groups and the number of users depend on the integrated online service involved. The online eLicensing service is available to all citizens, businesses and authorities which require a licence for operating radio equipment.

Description of the way to implement the initiative

Two departments in the Swiss Federal Administration worked together to draw up the fundamental principles of the project. The General Secretariat of the Federal Department of Finance (GS-FDF) and the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) prepared a study of the fundamental concepts. It was embedded at the strategic and regulatory level by the Federal Strategy Unit for IT (FSUIT). The task of implementing the eGovernment framework was transferred to the Federal Administration’s internal service provider, the Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunications (FOITT). The eLicensing application was realised by the Federal Communications Commission. In all stages, external service providers in the fields of information systems architecture and software development in the Swiss private sector were contracted. http.//www.efd.admin.ch http://www.bit.admin.ch http://www.isb.admin.ch Multi-channel issues: In the eLicensing process, both online and offline options are available for delivering licences, in accordance with legal provisions. In Switzerland, the eGovernment decree does not officially enter into force until 1 September 2007. Thereafter, licences can be digitally signed and provided electronically via eLicensing.

Main results, benefits and impacts

The use of standard solutions for sub-processes will make it significantly easier for individual organisational units to provide online services. The associated implementation time and costs will be considerably reduced. Specifically, the solution now enables OFCOM to rapidly offer all government services which are relevant to citizens and businesses online. For the Office as a whole, there are potentially some 80,000 cases a year which can be processed via online services. As the eGovernment framework can be deployed throughout all of the Federal Administration, the user potential is even greater. Subsequent developments include extending the framework into other areas, such as VAT, statistics, education or the national infrastructure. We also envisage continuous expansion of the range of services in the framework. An eForms service is already available and an extended billing service and a national transport infrastructure for messages using the OSCI standard are currently in development. Innovation: We view the government’s federal structures as an opportunity and consider the use of service-oriented architectures to be a positive solution in line with this strategy. The distinctive federal system in Switzerland comprises a large number of autonomous administrative units, some of which are very small. The advantage of this decentralised organisation is that it is citizen-friendly and realistic. It gives creative, enterprising government offices a certain amount of scope and may encourage innovation as a consequence. However, this structure also makes the electronic provision of services which are consistent throughout the organisation more difficult and more expensive and results in a greater need for co-ordination and control. Switzerland’s eGovernment strategy should help to fully exploit the innovative potential of government offices in the Confederation, cantons and municipalities whilst simultaneously rectifying the current lack of control as a result of co-ordinated procedures. By observing the basic principle of “re-use and open standards”, the Federal State will become a “pool of creativity” instead of an obstacle. The strategy should therefore be implemented by means of jointly-prioritised plans and a joint controlling body. By replacing some procedures and co-ordinating others and by specifying “offices which have overall control”, we are making targeted investments in solutions which can be used again and again, which means that we can achieve our goals with minimal investment.

Return on investment

Return on investment: Not applicable / Not available

Track record of sharing

none

Lessons learnt

The selected approach is of interest to any administrations which have to adjust their specific applications to the peculiarities of a federalist organisation structure. For successful implementation, it is essential that there is broad support at the strategic, organisational and regulatory level. All the organisations involved, and at all levels, must follow a learning curve. The development must be driven with specific bottom-up applications and with strategic, regulatory, top-down guidelines. Scope: National