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Békéscsaba municipality, in south-eastern Hungary, has become the latest local authority to offer round-the-clock wireless eAdministration services.
The rate of penetration of the Internet in the Hungarian market is still relatively low and this acts as a major obstacle to using web-based eGovernment services. On the flip side, mobile phone penetration is close to 100 %, so this seems to be the real alternative to provide such services for the time being.
Following in the footsteps of early pioneering cities (such as Budaörs, Érd and Debrecen) where local authorities offer various SMS-based services, Békéscsaba, a county seat close to the Hungarian-Romanian border, also introduced such eGovernment service on 15 April 2008. Citizens do not need to be technologically savvy to use this cheap and user-friendly service. For the time being, services offered cover the document office (ID cards, addresses, driving licences, vehicle registration and number plates, etc.), taxation and social policy.
After sending the word ‘WAP’ – short for wireless application protocol – to a designated number, citizens can start browsing a menu system and read about requirements, necessary documents, stamp duties and fees. Once they are sure about what they need to do and how, they can make an appointment and only need to show up five minutes before the agreed time. In order to speed up the process, they can also provide data over the phone in advance. In case there is a need for a specific form, they can specify an eMail address to which the office can send the form. Completing the form in advance also saves time.
Using this new service, citizens can really enjoy a hassle-free, fast and “one-stop-shop” service at their municipality, even when they are on the go. The telecoms service provider already has plans to introduce this service in Budapest in the near future.
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