Public Strategies for the Information Society in Iceland (enska)

Chapter in ESIS report - November 2000

Introduction

Iceland is the second largest island in Europe with only 2.7 inhabitants per square kilometre. Iceland is one of the least densely populated countries in Europe. The population of Iceland is about 279,000 and around 62 percent of the population live in the capital city, Reykjavik, and neighbouring municipalities.

Living standards in Iceland are among the highest in the world. The economy, based on fisheries and agriculture at the beginning of this century, has diversified into manufacturing and service industries in recent decades. The economy is now transforming to a diversified modern digital economy where about 78% of Icelanders have access to a computer with an Internet connection according to an Internet survey conducted in September 2000. Sophisticated telecommunications facilities, through fibre-optic cable connections, offer reliable direct international links for telephone, fax and data networks.

Telecommunications are deregulated and telephone charges in Iceland are the lowest within the OECD. A milestone has been reached in telecommunications with the establishment of a single rate for phone calls anywhere within Iceland, thereby eliminating regional cost-disparities.

Extensive cellular mobile phone systems are also operated. A survey from September 2000 shows that 79.1% of Icelanders between the ages of 16 and 75 use GSM mobile phones, and 52.8% use SMS text messages. A recent Action Plan from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture aims to set up wireless networks in upper-secondary schools and give students the option of using laptops or other mobile devices to access dedicated educational material on the Internet. Thus the young population will be able to use modern mobile technology for educational purposes.

Policy and Action
Since 1995 the Government and individual ministries have published information strategies or action plans, the most recent being the Project Plan for the Development of e-commerce and e-government 2000-2002, from March 2000, and the language engineering initiative. Several smaller projects have also been launched, such as a project about Women and the Information Society (http://forsaetisraduneyti.is/upplysingasamfelagid/Konur/Um_radstefnuna) which was geared toward encouraging more young women to work or study in the Information Technology sector.

Iceland has always been quick to introduce telecommunications technology and was the first country in the world to set up a fully digital phone network. The European integrated services digital network (ISDN) has been in operation in Iceland since 1995, giving its industries access to the most sophisticated telecommunications available. International connections are by fibre-optic sea cable and satellite. All urban communities around the country are linked by fibre-optic cable.

The Information Society Statistics
The Information Society Taskforce in Iceland has commissioned five surveys of computer ownership and Internet use in Iceland over the period 1998-2000. Findings are now available from the most recent report, conducted in September 2000. The survey shows that 77.8% of Icelanders (77.9% of women and 77.7% of men) have access to a computer with an Internet connection. It also reveals that 64.7% of Icelanders have access to the Internet at home. Furthermore, 82.5% of those who have access to the Internet have an e-mail address and roughly half of those who have access to the Internet (51.7%) use it daily or almost daily. The survey indicates that 19% of Icelanders with Internet access have purchased goods or services over the Internet.


1. Information Society Strategy for Iceland

1.1 First Government policy

In the Government's policy declaration of 23 April 1995, objectives in the governmental political arena for the utilisation of information technology to improve public administration and stimulate the economy were set forth for the first time in Iceland.

1.2 The Icelandic Government's Vision of the Information Society 1996


In October 1996 the Government of Iceland published a paper titled "The Government of Iceland's Vision for the Information Society".

It presents the Government's strategy for information society issues http://forsaetisraduneyti.is/upplysingasamfelagid/Konur/Um_radstefnuna/. In this strategy it is considered especially necessary to capitalise on two kinds of qualities that are deeply rooted in the Icelandic national character. On one hand, the nation is strongly motivated towards progress and also open to innovation. On the other hand, Icelanders have a sincere conviction of their cultural uniqueness.

It so happens that Iceland's cultural heritage consists, for the most part, of information, i.e. it is a written and historically based heritage. Information and telecommunications technology, therefore, not only open up new possibilities for the future development of Icelandic society, but also create a turning point in the presentation and understanding of the cultural values the nation has created in past centuries.

· Main Objectives of the Government's Strategy from 1996:

The chief objective of the Government is to ensure that Iceland shall be in the forefront of the world's nations in the utilisation of information technology in the service of enhancing the quality of life and greater prosperity. To follow up on this chief objective, five main objectives were set forth as a foundation for a vision of the future:

• Icelanders shall have easy access to the information society. Its advantages should be utilised to strengthen democracy and increase the quality of life for the benefit of the public and the Icelandic economy. Information technology should be employed in all fields, whether for innovation, public health, science, the arts or other areas of daily life.
• Complete equality shall be ensured between the public and private sectors in the field of information technology and the information industry. The Government, with the help of information technology, should facilitate access to governmental information and services to establish equitability among individuals and companies irrespective of their residence and economic resources.
• Information and telecommunications technologies shall be mobilised to improve the competitiveness of the Icelandic economy, increase productivity and proliferate the possibilities of exporting Icelandic know-how.
• The educational system shall adapt to changed social dynamics and focus general education and continuing education upon the advantages of the information society, while at the same safeguarding Iceland's language and culture.
• Legislation, rules and working methods shall be re-examined with respect to information technology to stimulate technological progress and to protect the rights of individuals and companies.

1.3 Development project 1997-2002 steered by The Information Society Taskforce

Following the publication of the strategy, a channel was designed for its implementation. In May 1997 the Government decided to establish a development project for the information society in Iceland. The project will last for five years, from September 1, 1997 to September 1, 2002. A steering group, The Information Society Taskforce, operating under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister, steers the Information Society Project.

The main task of the Information Society Taskforce is to promote the implementation of the Government's strategy.


2. Implementing the Information Society in Iceland -Action Plans

2.1 Policy Action Plans

Government administration and public sector services have taken major steps into joining the Information Society. Information systems have been set up which offer greater streamlining and facilitate routine work. Increased use of IT is steadily opening up the government administration and improving access to information and services. Examples include public access to laws, regulations, Supreme Court rulings and official reports. New material is constantly being added to the Government website (http://government.is) and those of its agencies.

To an increasing extent, various services are being made available directly through public sector websites, such as downloading of forms, applications for permits and electronic handling of various official business. Examples of electronic services are customs clearance and filing of corporate and personal tax returns.

Various projects which are compatible with the strategy have been launched. Examples of these are a massive increase in supply of specialist education in the field of IT, IT development schools have been set up, distance teaching and medical teleworking have been growing, Internet broadcasting of parliamentary debates began in 1998, and a "Regional Bridge" has been set up which links regional communities via teleconferencing. Necessary preparatory work has been conducted to define new IT tasks and draw up proposals for their implementation. Among other things, this work has been undertaken by ministries, committees and working groups. Examples of the work undertaken are design of health service information strategies, a study of Icelandic law with respect to electronic commerce, a study of language engineering, publication of an IT purchasing manual, strategic planning for telecommunications, and committee work on access to archives of law via the World Wide Web.

Extensive consultation on information society issues has been established between ministries, the office of the Althingi (parliament), employers, unions and various other interested parties. A number of consultative groups and committees are in operation to secure such consultation.

The Ministry of Health and Social Security and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture have published information policy plans.


2.2 Information policy in the health care system - Ministry of Health and Social Security

In the Information policy of the health care system, the health service is seen as a large user of communication systems that will make great demands for transmission capacity, largely due to transmission of digitalised images. It is proposed to develop a health network connecting all participants in the health service in Iceland. Communications now made in writing, such as medical notes, prescriptions and medical test results shall be conducted via the network.


2.3 Action Plans within Ministry of Education, Science and Culture - Action Plans and Policies 1996-1999

An initiative in the field of education was one of the priority projects in the Government Strategy from 1996. The Policy of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture in Information Affairs 1996-1999 outlines how the Ministry, together with schools, cultural institutions and other institutions under its administration, must exploit the rapid advances which have been made in recent years in order to improve their services and increase efficiency.

The policy points out 30 key aspects concerning the use of information technology that are of primary importance for the educational system and cultural life.
Among these aspects are a focus on teacher training and production of educational materials using multimedia technology, establishing ICT pilot schools, making libraries public information centres, establishing a single cultural information network that connects all cultural institutions (Menningarnet, website: http://www.menning.is).

While it is important for Icelanders to keep up with current international cultural developments, it is considered no less important for them to present their own culture internationally. In this new environment increased emphasis must be given to safeguarding the unique characteristics of the Icelandic language and culture.

2.4 Funds for Information Society Strategy Projects 1999-2000

The Government budget for 1999 earmarked special funds for the first time for new projects which are compatible with the information society strategy. Furthermore, the budget for 1999 included a special supplementary allocation for distance teaching. A new target plan for IT research and development was also launched in 1999. It is planned to allocate special funds to IT projects over a five-year period. These new budget allocations have given added impetus to implementation of the strategy. An allocation of same amount of funding towards such projects is assumed in 2000 and the budget for 2000 also includes a special supplementary allocation for language engineering.

2.5 Project Plan for the Development of e-commerce and e-government 2000-2002

The Government of Iceland's vision of the information society, which was published in October 1996, defined three priority projects which are considered to play an important role in its realisation. These are:

• an initiative in the field of education,
• adequate transmission capacity and security in the telecom system, and
• adherence to the government's tendering policy in software purchases.

In light of rapid developments in information and telecom technology, the Information Society Taskforce considered it necessary for the government to review its focuses. International cooperation is now focusing closely on the development of e-commerce which can lead to greater economic growth, job creation, increased international trade and improved social conditions. It was proposed in March 2000 that the government should make e-commerce and e-government the fourth priority project in implementation of its policy on the information society, and recommend the allocation of increased funds to this area.

The highlights of the Project Plan concerning e-government and e-commerce are:

E-government

Development and pilot projects
Providing funds for pilot projects in e-government/e-projects commerce, providing better service and usability by further development of the government website (raduneyti.is), launching of a plan to develop a website that brings government closer to the people and makes government more responsive to citizens, initiation of teleconference systems in government offices and pilot projects in using electronic voting.

Access
An initiative will be launched regarding public access to terminals (simple touch screens and/or regular computers) in government agencies. Plans must be made for improved student and teacher access to the Internet.

Government in-house document management system
The in-house document management system needs to be document management under constant development and review. The existence of system: working procedures at ministries, and compliance with them, needs to be enforced and the document management system will be taken into service in all Icelandic embassies (and permanent committees) overseas.

The Internet
Low telecommunication cost is therefore a precondition for enabling the public sector to transfer the bulk of various services entirely to the Internet.
A concise (electronic) information brochure shall be produced for government agencies, ministries and businesses in Iceland, explaining the legal side of electronic documents, e-mail and copyright and issues concerning increasing computer and Internet use by employees.

e-commerce

Review of legislation
A committee is at work at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to prepare for incorporating an EU directive on electronic signatures into Icelandic law. The project plan also points out how to incorporate the EU framework directive on e-commerce into Icelandic law when it has entered into effect within the EU. The project plan suggests how to disseminate know-how and experience by educating public sector employees, technologists and the general public about e-commerce.

2.6 Action Plans within the Ministry of Education 2000-

The Icelandic government has agreed an action plan in language engineering to preserve the position of the Icelandic language in the Information Society. This plan will be administered by a task force under the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is initiating an action for the developing an electronic education system, by the use of metadata. The Ministry will work with all producers of educational material in Iceland to encourage them to tag their material with metadata according to standards and guidelines provided by the Ministry. This material will then be made available on the Internet.

Work is under way on establishing a new electronic library system that will serve all libraries in the country: the national library, academic, specialised and public libraries as well as school libraries. The new system will not only contain a common catalogue of books for the whole country, but also provide access to various databases using the latest technology. Initiatives have been taken to provide all Icelandic citizens with online access to key resources for journals and literature. In September 2000 an agreement was signed with an international information technology company to provide institutions, libraries, companies and home users with access to various reference databases and over 5000 periodicals, journals and newspapers. All the texts are cross-searchable and users can search for abstracts and the full text/full image of articles.

2.7 Wireless networks and laptops in upper-secondary schools

The Icelandic Minister of Education, Science and Culture has set the goal that every new student commencing studies in upper-secondary schools (age 16) shall have the option of owning a laptop computer or a wireless device to access educational material. The project will commence with a pilot project between the Ministry and three upper secondary schools in the school year 2000-2001. Teachers will similarly be given incentives to use laptops in their work. All laptops will be networked through wireless technology in the schools and students and teachers will be able to use the laptops to access the Internet from home.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is now initiating public-private partnerships to develop means to produce educational material and make it accessible on the Internet.

By giving each student access to a laptop the vast majority of the population will be able to use modern mobile technology and have open access to dedicated educational material on the Internet.

The website in English about the information society in Iceland is at www.iceland.is

Public Strategies for the Information Society in the Member States of the European Union including contributions from the EFTA/EAA countries Norway and Iceland (November 2000)

Iceland
Page 291-298 in the ESIS report

Contribution prepared by:

Gudbjorg Sigurdardottir
Prime Minister Office
E-mail: [email protected]