Implementation of an m-governance information system in Ecuadorian municipalities

Grupo FARO monitors public governance. In 2007, the Grupo FARO supported a number of municipalities in Ecuador in the implementation of procedures and tools to make public information more transparent and accessible. In 2008, support was given to the Municipality of 24 de Mayo, in Manabí Province, in the implementation of a system using mobile phones for communication of local-level governmental information by means of text messaging.

Based on the outcomes of this approach, a follow-up project has been formulated in 2009 in which needs and opportunities for implementing mobile government solutions in Ecuador have been mapped. A preliminary study implemented in 2008 served as a baseline to get a better grasp of the situation with regard to potential benefits of mobile government solutions.

The findings of the study in a number of municipalities, financed by IICD, have been used for the formulation of a pilot project on distributing text messages in a number of municipalities in Ecuador. This project is being implemented since December 2009. It aims at increasing the transparency level of public policies, to increase communication between local government and the public, and to bring down SMS tariffs in order to allow wider usage of the technology.

The project is currently implementing a municipal SMS information service in 6 municipalities in the Sierra, the coastal zone and the Amazon basin. The project comprises the set-up and operation of an SMS server and training both of end-users and municipal civil servants who will provide inputs into the system. Also, the project aims to negotiate preferential fees for this type of information services by governmental institutions so as to make it more accessible in financial terms for municipalities.

At the end of the pilot phase it is intended to organise a public event informing at least 100 municipalities about the outcome of the pilot.

The project ties in with the intention of the Ecuadorian government to move toward e-government. Given the high density of cell phones, both in urban and rural areas, text messaging offers a cheap and efficient way to disseminate information and to interact with the general public.

Grupo FARO has carried out a study on behalf of IICD about the possibilities of introducing m-government, i.e. providing governmental services through the use of mobile phones. The study focused on the identification of governmental services liable to be provided through the use of mobile phones and on technical solutions for these services.

A practical implementation of the findings of the study in a number of municipalities has been formulated. This project has been accepted and implementation has started in December 2009.

The project is currently implementing a municipal SMS information service in 6 municipalities in the Sierra, the coastal zone and the Amazon basin. The project comprises the set-up and operation of an SMS server and training both of end-users and municipal civil servants who will provide inputs into the system. Also, the project aims to negotiate preferential fees for this type of information services by governmental institutions so as to make it more accessible in financial terms for municipalities. At the end of the project phase a national workshop has been foreseen in which results will be shared with Ecuadorian municipalities with the aim to upscale the project.

A contract has been concluded between FARO and the service integrator MessagePlus. Negotiations with Porta, Ecuador’s biggest provider, on a tariff structure for bulk SMS messages have turned out to be slow and difficult. As a result, implementation of the service has been delayed, though the MoUs with the various municipalities are already in place.

Project sites at current are: 1. 24 de Mayo. 2. Coca (at long last there is an agreement with the municipality). 3. Ibarra (in stead of Otavalo). 4. Isabela (Galápagos). 5. Azogues (already much digitalis ed). 6. Sigsig (fairly small, near Cuenca, but much Internet as this is a migrants’ community).

The level 3 interactive model could not be realised in this project phase, apparently for political reasons first and foremost. As the model will function at level 1 only, this will require fewer funds. Therefore, the number of municipalities could be expanded from 4 to 6.

Porta, Ecuador’s main mobile phone operator, still does not cooperate in the tariff negotiations. Therefore, only end-users among the other providers in Ecuador (Movistar and Allegro) are included in the project. This limits the number of users, obviously.

Formal roll-out in Sigsig, Ibarra and Sigsig has been foreseen for January 20.

• To implement an e-government information system in six Ecuadorian municipalities through the use of mobile phones to increase transparency and efficiency in service delivery, to improve communication with citizens, to simplify procedures, and, thus, to strengthen democracy.

The project is being implemented since December 2009.

 The project is being implemented since December 2009.

Grupo FARO (Fundación para el Avance de las Reformas y las Oportunidades) is an independent CSO which supports and promotes civil participation, analyses the functioning of state institutions and monitors the implementation of national and local public policies in order to contribute to a more efficient, egalitarian, inclusive and democratic Ecuadorian nation.

Grupo FARO monitors public governance. It implements, among others, a pilot project on disseminating information of three municipalities to a group of subscribers by means of text messaging. IICD assisted in the inception workshop leading to concluding agreements with these three municipalities.