Government Technology - June 2008 - (Page DC26)

International Estonia Becomes E-Stonia While many large U.S. cities stumble to create free, citywide Wi-Fi networks, Estonia has managed virtually universal wireless Internet access. More than 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots blanket Estonia’s 45,000-square kilometers with wireless Internet access. BY INDRAJIT BASU | CONTRIBUTING WRITER W alk down the cobblestone former Soviet nation is now also comstreets with medieval hous- pletely covered with wireless Internet es that look straight out of access, setting an example for morestorybooks, and it’s hard to believe that developed and richer states that have Tallinn — a city that has been sacked, been trying to achieve this feat for years. Often called “E-stonia” by geeks, pillaged and bombed numerous times over the centuries — still retains much every one of its 1.4 million residents of its past. But while this capital city — half of whom live in the suburbs and of Estonia — a north-European coun- rural areas — is connected by wireless try along the eastern coast of the Baltic Internet. More than two-thirds of the Sea — remains a living museum, it’s also population conduct personal banking a high-tech hotbed. For instance, the transactions and ﬁ le taxes online. And technologies for Skype and Baidu were students access their schools’ servers developed in this country. Recently with and connect to national libraries from the latest group of Wi-Fi access points home — or anywhere for that matter. installed, this 45,000-square-kilometer In Estonia, it’s even possible to travel between cities by trains and buses and maintain Wi-Fi Internet access. Above all, much of this access is virtually free. Users do not pay any access charges directly in most locations. Interestingly this nationwide wireless deployment has been achieved with almost no government support. Other than a few schools and libraries that have been set up by the Estonian government, the 1,100-plus Wi-Fi hotspots that span the country, covering every nook and corner, have been set up by small businesses, such as hotels, cafes, groceries and gas stations, along with the four national telecom companies. 26 DIGITAL COMMUNITIES JUNE 08 PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VELJO HAAMER

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - June 2008

Government Technology - June 2008 Contents Point of View The Last Mile Big Picture On the Scene Four Questions For... 3 Technologies That May Change Your Job ...And Your Life Loosening Medicaid's Grip Better Living Through Technology Immersive Itineraries Help Yourself Taking the Bait Shared Connection Up Close Spectrum Products Personal Computing signal:noise Digital Communities Contents Digital Tactics for a U.S. Recession E-Dilemma Stifling Community Innovation Leadership Interview Estonia Becomes E-Stonia If It Were Up to Me …

Government Technology - June 2008

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