BY Silvana Trimi AND
Hong Sheng
Emerging Trends in
M-GOVERNMENT
Considering the
advantages and
implications of
increased usage of
wireless connectivity
for governmental
information and
services.

The emergence of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) has not only revolutionized the way business is conducted but also transformed the delivery mechanism of governmental services. Since the 1990s, public-sector organizations across the globe have been applying Internet technology and other ICTs in innovative ways to deliver services, engage citizens, and improve efficiency: a set of practices commonly known as electronic government (e-government). An explosion in the use of mobile technologies (m-technologies), such as mobile phones, laptops, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) to connect to wireless networks has enabled governments to transit from e-government to mobile government (m-government). Here, we present the potential of m-government (compared to e-government), the general trend of m-government practices in key leading m-government countries, some of the challenges and issues involved with those practices, and expected future trends.