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Estonia’s Infrastructure Key to Rapid COVID-19 Response
Tallinn, Estonia - In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Estonia’s exceptional digital infrastructure played a crucial role in enabling the country to adapt rapidly and efficiently. The nation’s rapid transition to online classes in schools is just one example of how its well-developed e-government services allowed for swift responses to the crisis.
E-Government Development
Estonia has consistently ranked high in global surveys on e-government development, with the 2022 UN E-Government Survey ranking it eighth globally by range of digital government-service offerings. The country’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) score was also impressive, with Estonia topping the EU for provision of digital public services.
Areas for Improvement
However, despite its successes, experts have noted areas for improvement, particularly during the pandemic. To address these shortcomings, Estonia has launched a new Digital Society Development Plan until 2030, aimed at strengthening digital state development, national cyber security, and transmission connections.
Key Goals
One key goal of the plan is to achieve an artificial intelligence-powered government, with Estonia having already implemented or launched 80 AI public sector projects as of 2020. The country’s virtual assistant, Bürokratt, has also made public services more accessible online.
Private Sector Thriving
Estonia’s private sector is also thriving, with a well-developed digital economy and highly skilled population. Initiatives such as e-residency and a digital nomad visa have given rise to a vibrant startup culture, producing household names like Skype, TransferWise, and Bolt.
Challenges
Despite its policy successes, Estonia faces challenges, including:
- Connectivity issues: lagging in 5G mobile-network coverage and deployment of commercial services
- Human capital development: only slightly above-average scores for digital skills
Cyber Security
In the realm of cyber security, Estonia’s track record is impressive, with the country ranking third globally on the UN International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index. Its e-government infrastructure has been comprehensively studied to protect against vulnerabilities, and the government has been quick to respond to any incidents that have occurred.
Future Developments
As Estonia looks to the future, its presence in outer space is minimal, with only two functional satellites currently in orbit. However, the country is set to launch a new satellite in 2023 as part of technology-demonstration missions.
Conclusion
Overall, Estonia’s infrastructure has been a key factor in the country’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively to the COVID-19 crisis. As the nation looks to the future, it is well-placed to continue leveraging its digital strengths to drive economic growth and national security.
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