ITU, World Bank, GSMA and WEF mobilized in the Fight Against COVID-19

WASHINGTON, APRIL 21, 2020, During a high-level dialogue, Finance and ICT ministers, ICT regulators, CEOs of telecom and technology companies from around the world discussed an accelerated action plan to better leverage digital technologies and infrastructure in support of citizens, governments and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by the World Bank, in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), GSMA – the global mobile industry association— and the World Economic Forum (WEF), this virtual roundtable gave participants the opportunity to agree on a set of high impact and immediate measures to help countries remain connected.

Participants agreed that now is the time for an accelerated private-public sector collaboration to jointly respond to the crisis to ensure networks are well-equipped to handle an exponential increase in digital traffic, help countries future-proof their digital capabilities and infrastructure for subsequent crises, and ensure access to digital services for the most vulnerable populations.

This action plan discussed during the high-level event outlines areas for action to maintain connectivity during the COVID-19 crisis:

1. Promote network resilience
2. Ensure access and affordability of digital services
3. Support compliance with social distancing principles while providing vital connectivity
4. Leverage e-health, telemedicine and Big Data to address the health crisis
5. Ensure institutional frameworks are fit for purpose

Following the high-level dialogue that took place today, the final Joint Action Plan will be published by the four organizations, with the aim to serve as best practice for governments and regulators during the Covid-19 crisis.

Officials from Mongolian ICT parties including Communications and Information Technology Authority, Communication Regulatory Commission, Information and Communication Operator’s Association and Smart Government Project joined the Dialogue.

Source:  www.smart.gov.mn

Furthermore, during this pandemic situation, in order to increase digital respond to challenges faced by Covid-19, the Mongolian Government is taking following measures in collaboration with public and private organizations of ICT sector:

1. Telecom operators provide free service access to education contents for secondary schools prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science. Those education contents are also freely available on all TV channels and www.econtent.edu.mn portal. Moreover, university and college students are able to access freely to their online lesson portals and feedback platforms between teachers and students.
2. Telecom operators provide discounted data services and flexible payment for their subscribers. Data usage is very high demand during the quarantine.
3. Video on demand service providers offer discounted and free contents.
4. Mobile operators cut their tariff on international calls.
5. Telecom operators provide free WI-FI access for hospitals, as well as free data sim card for people who works in frontline.
6. Mobile operators send special warning and advisory SMS to all their subscriber’s in daily basis, since end of January.
7. COVID-19 related hotline number 119 is launched to public and working for 24/7 hours.
8. E-Kiosk machines are accepting bankcards only. Currently, 31 public services are provided through 110 e-Kiosks.
9. E-document management system has been using by all the government organizations and started to exchange documents by online. This gives an opportunity for public employees to work at home.
10.  Parliament Sessions are going as virtual discussion, which gives an opportunity for Parliament Members to attend the discussion while keeping their distance that recommended by WHO.
11. Public service integrated portal www.e-mongolia.mn to deliver public services through the internet is launched. This portal enables citizens to get over 120 public services without visiting public organizations. It is expecting to be expanded the services up to 200 in near future.
12.  COVID-19 portal recently opened. Through this portal citizens are able to get accurate information, advice, guidance, and interim surveillance review on COVID-19.  

And following measures is expecting to be taken in near future:

1. To launch “Shuurhai 119” mobile application that will provide citizens timely, reliable and accurate information immediately in their mother tongue.
2. To launch “e-Mongolia” mobile application delivering public services through a mobile devices.
3. To prepare special equipped vehicles of emergency mobile communication.
4. To establish mobile communication base stations in necessary areas.
5. To expand broadband network at least in 5 soums.
6. To create integrated portal for universities, colleges and high schools, namely for graduating students and allow them free access.
7. To develop integrated data application delivering official information and guidelines by Ministry of Health and State Emergency Commission on Covid-19 to citizens.

To provide support in developing movement and location monitoring system.