Estonian ICT market

Key facts about Estonian ICT market 52 per cent of the population (aged 6-74 years) are Internet users (TNS EMOR, spring 2004). 52 per cent of the population (aged 6-74 years) are Internet users (TNS EMOR, spring 2004). 30 per cent of the households have a computer at home, 75 per cent of home computers are connected to the Internet (e-Track Survey, TNS EMOR, spring 2004). 30 per cent of the households have a computer at home, 75 per cent of home computers are connected to the Internet (e-Track Survey, TNS EMOR, spring 2004). All Estonian schools are connected to the Internet. All Estonian schools are connected to the Internet. There are over 700 Public Internet Access Points in Estonia, 51 per people (one of the highest numbers in Europe). There are over 700 Public Internet Access Points in Estonia, 51 per people (one of the highest numbers in Europe). The number of Estonian websites surpassed one million already in The number of Estonian websites surpassed one million already in Income tax declarations can be submitted electronically via Internet. Income tax declarations can be submitted electronically via Internet. Expenditures made by the government can be followed on the Internet in real-time. Expenditures made by the government can be followed on the Internet in real-time. Cabinet meetings have been changed to paperless sessions using a web-based document system. Cabinet meetings have been changed to paperless sessions using a web-based document system. 68 per cent of Estonian Internet users conduct their everyday banking via Internet (e- Track Survey, TNS EMOR, spring 2004). 68 per cent of Estonian Internet users conduct their everyday banking via Internet (e- Track Survey, TNS EMOR, spring 2004). 89 per cent of the population are mobile phone subscribers (Eesti Telekom AS, September 2004). 89 per cent of the population are mobile phone subscribers (Eesti Telekom AS, September 2004). Estonia is completely covered with digital mobile phone networks Estonia is completely covered with digital mobile phone networks

Estonian ICT sector data in 2005 IT market growth in Estonia is expected to reach 9.3% in 2005 IT market growth in Estonia is expected to reach 9.3% Prime’s TOP-20 Estonian IT companies evidenced a significant growth of 24% in revenue in Prime’s TOP-20 Estonian IT companies evidenced a significant growth of 24% in revenue in IT spending in Estonia in 2004 grew by 16.5%. IT spending in Estonia in 2004 grew by 16.5%. More than 90% mobile network users More than 90% mobile network users Implementation of new e-voting system Implementation of new e-voting system

Estonian top 10 IT companies 1 Reaalsüsteemide AS Tallinn 2Webmedia AS Tartu 3AQRIS SOFTWARE AS Tallinn 4Võrguvara AS Tallinn 5Elion Ettevõtted AS Tallinn 6Data Telecom OÜ Tallinn 7Microlink AS Tallinn 8Pro-STEP OÜ Tallinn 9Trigger Software OÜ Tallinn 10 Makato Eesti OÜ Tallinn

Estonian R&D Five universities (University of Tartu, Tallinn Technical University, Estonian Business School, University Nord, and Tallinn Pedagogical University ), a number of polytechnic educational institutions and many training companies provide basic and specialized education in IT and IT management. Five universities (University of Tartu, Tallinn Technical University, Estonian Business School, University Nord, and Tallinn Pedagogical University ), a number of polytechnic educational institutions and many training companies provide basic and specialized education in IT and IT management.University of TartuTallinn Technical University Estonian Business SchoolUniversity NordTallinn Pedagogical University of TartuTallinn Technical University Estonian Business SchoolUniversity NordTallinn Pedagogical University The E-Governance Academy was created in 2002 as a non-profit organization for the development and analysis of e-governance and e- democracy, whose aim is to transfer knowledge to top policy-makers and government Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) specialists in developing nations. EGA implements its mission through the provision of training services, organizing research, facilitating networking and enabling exchange of experience in broad areas of e- governance. Located in Tallinn, Estonia, the Academy provides a platform for analyzing and systematizing both international and domestic experience into forms of knowledge that can be transferred to those interested both in Estonia and abroad. The E-Governance Academy was created in 2002 as a non-profit organization for the development and analysis of e-governance and e- democracy, whose aim is to transfer knowledge to top policy-makers and government Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) specialists in developing nations. EGA implements its mission through the provision of training services, organizing research, facilitating networking and enabling exchange of experience in broad areas of e- governance. Located in Tallinn, Estonia, the Academy provides a platform for analyzing and systematizing both international and domestic experience into forms of knowledge that can be transferred to those interested both in Estonia and abroad. The E-Governance Academy The E-Governance Academy

The IT College was created in 2000 as a co-operation project between the two largest Estonian public universities, the Tallinn Technical University and the University of Tartu, and the Estonian ICT industry. The IT College is a private institution, it works very closely with both universities as well as with the IT and telecom industries. The IT College was created in 2000 as a co-operation project between the two largest Estonian public universities, the Tallinn Technical University and the University of Tartu, and the Estonian ICT industry. The IT College is a private institution, it works very closely with both universities as well as with the IT and telecom industries. The IT College The IT College The main advisory body to the Government in R&D is the Estonian Research and Development Council (RDC). Priority has been given to information technology, gene technology, environmental technology and material science. In developing new technologies, one of the most successful fields is also cryptography. The main advisory body to the Government in R&D is the Estonian Research and Development Council (RDC). Priority has been given to information technology, gene technology, environmental technology and material science. In developing new technologies, one of the most successful fields is also cryptography. Estonian Research and Development Council Estonian Research and Development Council The Estonian Academy of Sciences is an organisation unifying scientific pursuits. The Estonian Science Foundation, the Innovation Foundation and the Science Competence Council are involved in the financing of R&D. The vast majority of R&D is carried out in universities and public research institutes. The Estonian Academy of Sciences is an organisation unifying scientific pursuits. The Estonian Science Foundation, the Innovation Foundation and the Science Competence Council are involved in the financing of R&D. The vast majority of R&D is carried out in universities and public research institutes. The Estonian Academy of Sciences The Estonian Academy of Sciences

Information Policy Public Information Act (2001) Guarantees citizens’ constitutional right to information; regulates what information on the administrative apparatus and its activities is to be offered to the public; asserts that all information must be accessible also through the Internet. Public Information Act (2001) Guarantees citizens’ constitutional right to information; regulates what information on the administrative apparatus and its activities is to be offered to the public; asserts that all information must be accessible also through the Internet. Public Information Act (2001) Public Information Act (2001) Digital Signatures Act (2000) Stipulates the possibility to use digital signatures in public sector organisations as of June 1, The digital signature infrastructure is developed through the cooperation of public sector and private sector organisations, such as banks and ICT vendors. Digital Signatures Act (2000) Stipulates the possibility to use digital signatures in public sector organisations as of June 1, The digital signature infrastructure is developed through the cooperation of public sector and private sector organisations, such as banks and ICT vendors. Digital Signatures Act (2000) Digital Signatures Act (2000) Telecommunications Act (2000) The purpose of this act is to create favourable conditions for the development of telecommunications and to guarantee the protection of the users of telecommunications services by promoting free competition. Telecommunications Act (2000) The purpose of this act is to create favourable conditions for the development of telecommunications and to guarantee the protection of the users of telecommunications services by promoting free competition. Telecommunications Act (2000) Telecommunications Act (2000) Other relevant acts related to the information society include Archives Act, Databases Act, Personal Data Protection Act, Population Register Act. English translations of these acts are available at Other relevant acts related to the information society include Archives Act, Databases Act, Personal Data Protection Act, Population Register Act. English translations of these acts are available at

Development of e-services for citizens, business sector and public administration Development of e-services for citizens, business sector and public administration Creating and analyzing IT solutions that stimulate development of eDemocracy Creating and analyzing IT solutions that stimulate development of eDemocracy Creating an operational electronic voting system Creating an operational electronic voting system Increasing effectiveness of the public sector. An emphasis will be put on the electronic communications and electronic information exchange by state and local governments Increasing effectiveness of the public sector. An emphasis will be put on the electronic communications and electronic information exchange by state and local governments Increasing computer literacy of the population, eEducation Increasing computer literacy of the population, eEducation eSecurity. Improving and developing Information Technology Security Policy eSecurity. Improving and developing Information Technology Security Policy Sustaining international reputation of Estonia as a well developing information and communication technology nation. Improving weaker IT sectors to average EU level. Participating in EU projects Sustaining international reputation of Estonia as a well developing information and communication technology nation. Improving weaker IT sectors to average EU level. Participating in EU projects eInvolvement. Increasing opportunities for society in IT and digital solutions usage. Making sure the society has access to the Internet by increasing the number of public Internet sites. eInvolvement. Increasing opportunities for society in IT and digital solutions usage. Making sure the society has access to the Internet by increasing the number of public Internet sites. IST – Principles of the Estonian Information Policy in

In August 2000, the Government of Estonia, as a world pioneer, changed its Cabinet meetings to paperless sessions using a web-based eGovernment system. Ministers peruse draft bills and regulations, make comments and suggestions, and vote entirely online at computer terminals. The system, coupled with the use of digital signatures, eliminates need of sending mountains of papers between ministries for consultation In August 2000, the Government of Estonia, as a world pioneer, changed its Cabinet meetings to paperless sessions using a web-based eGovernment system. Ministers peruse draft bills and regulations, make comments and suggestions, and vote entirely online at computer terminals. The system, coupled with the use of digital signatures, eliminates need of sending mountains of papers between ministries for consultation Current election laws will include e-voting option starting from 2005 elections, provided that all crucial technical issues ( e.g. safeguarding against fraud) are solved by that time Current election laws will include e-voting option starting from 2005 elections, provided that all crucial technical issues ( e.g. safeguarding against fraud) are solved by that time In summer 2001, the Government created a web page I decide today. Ministries upload all their draft bills and amendments there, allowing people to review, comment on and make proposals on the legislative process as well as propose amendments to existing legislation In summer 2001, the Government created a web page I decide today. Ministries upload all their draft bills and amendments there, allowing people to review, comment on and make proposals on the legislative process as well as propose amendments to existing legislation Since January 2002, the Citizenship and Migration Board issues a new primary domestic identification document - the ID card Since January 2002, the Citizenship and Migration Board issues a new primary domestic identification document - the ID card IST – eDemocracy and eGoverment

With digital signatures you can use electronic paperless communications instead of using paper and handwritten signatures With digital signatures you can use electronic paperless communications instead of using paper and handwritten signatures In Estonia anyone who has a valid ID card can give digital signatures. According to Estonian law, digital signatures are equivalent to handwritten ones if the corresponding systems meet certain regulations In Estonia anyone who has a valid ID card can give digital signatures. According to Estonian law, digital signatures are equivalent to handwritten ones if the corresponding systems meet certain regulations ID cards are mandatory for all Estonian residents, including Estonian citizens and resident aliens ID cards are mandatory for all Estonian residents, including Estonian citizens and resident aliens Function of ID card is twofold: Function of ID card is twofold: - It is very convenient to use it as a regular ID, e.g. while proving your age or identity when paying at a retailer using a bank card, or at a local government office. - It is very convenient to use it as a regular ID, e.g. while proving your age or identity when paying at a retailer using a bank card, or at a local government office. - The ID card also functions as an electronic identity, enabling you to use services online conveniently and securely - The ID card also functions as an electronic identity, enabling you to use services online conveniently and securely IST – Digital signature and ID card