With one of the world's highest mobile phone penetration rates and the impending rollout of 3G mobile network services, Hong Kong stands to benefit from the rapid development of wireless technology and services, particularly through deployment in business process to enhance productivity and efficiency.

We are leveraging a population which is ready to take on mobile services to develop m-Government. With your mobile devices, you can access information on weather forecast, air pollution index, road traffic images and many more. Besides, you can make certain transactions with Government, like making appointment with government agencies. These initiatives have made it more convenient for you to interact with Government while you are on the move. Many government departments are already making use of mobile devices, which are often equipped with Geographic Information System and Global Positioning System, to enhance the productivity of their field operation.

Some specific examples of m-government services are:

• Enquiry on weather and air pollution information through mobile devices
  
  
• Enquiry on updated news, government press releases and government telephone directory using mobile phones
  
  
• Searching available timeslots for filing marriage notice using GPRS and 3G phones
  
  
• The use of mobile technology for various field duties, e.g. Drainage Services Department capturing inspection results of drainage complaints and conditions in field sites; Housing Department capturing defects reporting, progress monitoring, tenancy checking during site inspection; and Civil Engineering and Development Department performing geological and geotechnical field mapping, ground investigation, landslide investigation and assessment of natural terrain hazards.
  
  
• With its Collection and Delivery Management Information System (CDMS), Hongkong Post is now using mobile data capturing devices to record courier collection/delivery results in the field. They are also receiving service orders from and reporting service results back to the central service centres through the public wireless data communication network. With these and the application of a Geographic Information System, Hongkong Post is able to provide more efficient delivery teams and vehicle fleet management thereby ensuring swift and accurate postal collection and delivery services.

We will further exploit m-Government to provide high value services to the public in an innovative way and to improve Government's operational efficiency.

To provide a platform for development of wireless applications, solutions and services, the Government is supporting the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association to set up a wireless development centre at the Cyberport with funding from the Innovation and Technology Fund. The centre will bring wireless solutions developers together with mobile operators and equipment vendors and provide a neutral platform for the development, testing and marketing of innovative applications and services. The developers will have access to information on technology standards and market information. The centre will also identify anchor projects for the industry and assist in marketing outside Hong Kong, including the Mainland. The parties will work together to make the centre a focal point of industry and a main driving force to "push" Hong Kong technologies in the Mainland and Asia.

Complementing the commercial provision of Wi-Fi hotspots, the Government has earmarked HK$210 million to provide Wi-Fi networks in selected government venues over the next two years, starting from 2007. The Wi-Fi networks, which will be available for free use by the public, will first be installed in all public libraries, major cultural and recreational centres, community halls, large parks and those government offices frequently visited by members of the public. More on the Government Wi-Fi Programme.