TDRA’s Esaad initiative aims to improve and further develop UAE’s telecommunications services with its 3 sub-initiatives. With Erteqa, TDRA enhances service delivery to customers by evaluating service-providers’ centers. Coverage rigorously tests and analyzes the network quality of all service providers. ‘ICT Rating’ ensures ICT connection in all of UAE’s tourist spots.

The mGovernemnt Digital Market Place is a platform that links buyers, such as governments and enterprises, with sellers offering tested and proven solutions. Thus, reducing hassle and wasted time and effort when trying new or less efficient solutions.

TDRA has launched the User Experience Lab (UX Lab) to help develop the digital presence of government entities on the web, smartphone or on service booths. Advanced global methodologies are being implemented in the user experience lab to ensure that websites and smart applications take into account the characteristics of users and meet the needs of enterprises to access services to the highest levels of ease and usability.

The UX Lab provides a comprehensive and integrated mechanism that includes a system to follow the movement of the eye when browsing on the screen, and includes a scientifically proven methodology to ensure global knowledge of the typical behavior of users when trying to search for information or access to digital services. The use trials are conducted by specialized teams with the participation of the stakeholders in each project, and by the presence and participation of real users representing personas for the types of users who need to visit the site, application or service booth.

An electronic platform launched by the Ministry of Community Development and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). it embodies the children's rights to acquire the necesary knowledge for their intellectual development, by introducing them to the governmental work in the country and informing them about the latest developments and achievements to establish an aware and knowledgeable generation.

The launch of this platform is part of the UAE's digital transformation process and the use of new technologies to spread awareness and education in the community. The idea of the platform is based on engaging the children in awareness-raising challenges and adventures to inform them of the government entities and services in the fields of education, healthcare, transportation, and other services of interest to the community, while urging them to be positive and support members of the community to access those entities and services. Thus, creating an aware generation that knows its duties and government and contribute in the achievement of the community’s happiness.’

The game begins with tasks that the player must execute through various government entities. In order to gain points and increase his/her happiness meter, the player must know the roles, responsibilities and services of each government entity in order to fulfil the tasks assigned to him/her, in addition to introducing the community to the smart government services, and making his/her city happier.

The platform is available through the website and smart application. It is available directly to the public worldwide, so that all players can interact, communicate and compete with each other.

The platform aims to raise the children’s awareness of the nature of the UAE government and its work mechanisms, creating a generation that understands its duties towards its country. Additionally, the platform meets the children’s curiosity for knowing the government and its duties and encourages them to search and inquire. The platform aims to encourage children to cooperate with the government at early ages, in particular enriching the content and expressing their views on the services, solutions and government websites, as well as creating a generation that can deal with smart government and smart cities.

https://kidx.government.ae/en

The National Cybersecurity Strategy aims to create a safe and resilient cyber infrastructure in the UAE that enables citizens to fulfil their aspirations and empowers businesses to thrive. For details, click here 

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The “Apply Once” initiative aims to providing and sharing personal information of individuals with government entities as needed, taking into considerations privacy of personal information by all entities, and improving data quality at the departments and municipalities with the provision of e-services based on high quality data to save investors’ time and efforts.

Bashr is an integrated eService, which enables investors to establish their businesses in the UAE within 15 minutes through a unified online platform. This platform is connected with federal and local government entities which provide commercial licence services.

For getting a business licence through Bashr, same standard fees apply as defined by the relevant Departments of Economic Development (DED) and other respective local and federal entities involved for business licensing. Bashr payment service is available within 15 minutes via:

• eDirham
• Credit card.

https://basher.gov.ae/

CoDI stands for the Centre Of Digital Innovation, it is an initiative launched by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority in the UAE in late 2013 as a response to the UAE’s strive towards being a smarter and digitally transformed nation.

https://codi.ae/home

An interactive system has been implemented that contributes in future foresight and achievement of the country’s global indicators, where the implemented initiatives and projects related to national indicators are monitored. The system is applied to the online services indicators and was adopted at the federal leve

Using a single reliable and secure identification associated with the Emirate ID number allows the customer access to the UAE government services using a single unified account. Users need one-time authentication only to access many mGovernment smart and electronic services online.

Moreover, the “UAE Pass” has been launched, which provides authentication trough smart phones as well as digital signature services. The UAE Government will use in practice the digital certificate and digital signature services. The “UAE Pass” initiative is one of the initiatives approved in the track of (smart services and digital infrastructure), one of the tracks of the UAE Government annual meetings in the second cycle 2018-2019. The results of integration and use of digital signature will be celebrated in September 2019.

This initiative aims for the effective use of digital signature in the UAE, which is a secure mean of documentation and approving e-transactions. The project contributes to facilitation of the customer procedures, reduces the number of signing and accreditation visits in order to increase confidence in e-transactions, documents all transactions, registers companies online without personal attendance, eliminates manual procedures and paper transactions, and reduces the number of customers’ visits.

The e-Dirham is a program launched by the Ministry of Finance in the UAE in 2001, where a system of payment software and digital gateways through different communication means has been developped to facilitate the collection of federal government services revenues through special prepaid cards, to improve processes of delivering public services.

The second generation of e-Dirham system launched in 2011, is distinguished by its integration with international networks and payment means through platform systems able to flexible integration with mGovernment services apps, and capable for unlimited reformation and development of payment services apps through internet, mobile and electronic collection through different payment channels of international standards.

It is a smart card issued by the Ministry of Finance to facilitate payments of fees for government services in different ministries. You can get your e-Dirham card from the approved ministries and government entities, banks, the Emirates Post, and a number of money exchange centers (see the list) The e-Dirham cards have different categories such as specific categories cards (ranging between 50 and 5000 Dirhams), the Government client rechargeable cards, e-stamp, and smart forms

Six mGovernment enablers indicators have been identified for the strategic planning cycle of 2014-2016, where different government entities coordinate to develop the performance index of mGov within the government enablers of the same strategy cycle.

Minimum and maximum completion percentages for each indicator have been identified, aiming to enhancing the mtransformation for government services in the UAE.

The mGov enablers indicators include: electronic/mobile transformation of federal government services use of electronic/mobile Government services customer satisfaction with electronic/mobile services public awareness of electronic/mobile services quality of websites compliance of government entities with electronic/mobile service quality standards

FEDnet is a TDRA initiative that aims to provide a technical infrastructure that enhances and improves the customer experience within the digital government sector. For more details about FEDnet, visit DGOV website here

The GSB Project helps federal and local entities to provide a number of their services through the activation of electronic interconnection in accordance with the highest standards of digital safety and security, and the smooth exchange of data between the entities systems, which serves the customer’s need to obtain government services without having to move from one government entity to another. The project serves the government’s efforts in establishing an integrated government interconnection platform, and supports coordination and integration among all government entities, which enhances the customer’s experience, satisfaction and happiness, while enabling government entities to easily access multi-source data, and thus providing government services based on the most reliable and updated sources.

TDRA is aware of the importance of the release of Internet Protocol 6.0 which is expected to make a big change in the digital world.

It is also seen as a major solution for the challenges resulting from Internet Protocol 4.0. The new protocol will keep the UAE abreast of the latest technologies in the race towards mobile transformation. In this regard, TDRA organizes training workshops in collaboration with RIPE NCC on the special technicalities of working with Internet Protocol 6.0.

The workshop included the exchange of information and data with UAE ISPs to help formulate the best strategy and policy in the move towards Internet Protocol 6.0, and ensure a better future for the internet sector and its businesses in the UAE

“Mabrouk Ma Yak” service is part of the 100-day-challenge of completing all official document transactions of UAE citizens’ newborns. It is part of the Government Accelerators, and aims to reduce the customer’s journey from 7 visits to one visit only, during which, all newborn official documents are delivered, including birth certificate, passport, ID, add to the national family book and population register.

New Baby Born Bundle is an initiative by TDRA that allows parents to conduct all government process in registering their new born baby through a unified platform. The initiative was brought due to the time consumed by users in conducting the process, the paperwork required and the time spent by public services employees in concluding all these paperwork. The average time that was required between 8-5 days by parents while the time required has been reduced to merely filling up a form online which is integrated with TDRA Smart Pass, the unified federal government portal. The initiative was a tie up between the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health & Prevention, Ministry of Finance and the Emirates Identity Authority. The initiative ultimately aimed at increasing happiness amongst families, reduce operational times by public employees thus increasing productivity and reduce carbon emissions by 7.5 tons annually.

https://services.government.ae/nbb/#/

The mSurvey service aims to:

• Create one platform for all surveys conducted by UAE government entities
• Provide mSurvey as a service (Software as a Service, SaaS) which is consistent with cloud services
• Enable government entities to reach wider segment of the target audience and develop services based on customer interaction and achieve customer happiness

This project will create an enabling environment for efficient data exchange, to increase the efficiency of government services and achieve customer satisfaction. It determines the requirements for consolidating the culture of data exchange and improving its quality and classification, with balancing the needs of the entities with future expectations.

Smart data:

It is the shared government data between entities, or the open data available to the public in the unified master data records available at national level to enable the government entities to perform their legal responsibilities and achieve the UAE Vision 2021 goals.

One App One Portal (OAOP) initiative hosts federal and local government services as well as private sector services in one platform, allowing the user to access several services of different entities from a single window.

The project’s features:

• A single window for government and non-government services.
• A consistent, easy and streamlined flow of procedures when moving between services.
• Artificial Intelligence to provide proactive features that shorten the user’s time.

SmartPass allows users to access UAE Government services using a single account. Users just need to authenticate once to access multiple online Government e-services.

SmartPass isavailable to Citizens, Residents (Emirates ID Card holders) and Visitors.

www.smartpass.government.ae

The official portal of the UAE Government is a comprehensive platform for all government services and information, as well as important data and information related to vital sectors in the UAE, including education, economy, business, infrastructure, residency regulations, health, national policies and strategies, and others.

The Government of the UAE has launched the new domain name of its official portal to become the first government domain in the world composed of a single letter (U), to facilitate the public access to information, services, projects, strategies and laws in the UAE.

The mGoverment Magazine sheds the light on smart apps launched by government entities, presents the views of apps users, in addition to other sections like national and international news, specialized reports, field reports and interviews.

The magazine is published Monthly, and distributed on two tracks; the first track is government and semi-government entities, and the second track is public distribution on individuals.

The distribution range has been expanded to include the GCC at this stage. The mGov magazine has an electronic version in a form of a website that includes all the paper-published materials in addition to daily updates and important subjects that emerge from time to time.

Providing a unified system and interface to receive and manage customer relations concerning the government services.

The system is considered:

• A platform to receive the views, suggestions and complaints of the customers.
• A platform to analyze the public feelings towards the government services
• A multi-channel platform designed to unify the customer experience on different channels.

The UAE Government Apps is an app that contains all apps from the UAE Government. It aims to spread public awareness of smart government and encourage people to adopt smart services and make them part of their daily lives. It also contributes to achieving customer happiness in the UAE. The App Store includes all UAE Government apps. You can browse the content according to the operating platforms available, or by government entity, and you can access it through smart devices.

UAE PASS is collaboration between Smart Dubai and TDRA, aiming to provide a single trusted digital identity solution for service providers in the UAE, while maintaining a high level of security assurance and seamless user experience. UAEPASS is a fundamental enabler for digital transformation initiatives, and a contributer towards achieving the goals of UAE Vision 2021, UAE Centennial 2071, and sustainable development.

From the UAE and about the UAE, the UAEPedia is inspired by the accomplishments of the country and comes in harmony with its ultimate goals.

It reinforces Emirati trust in the future, present, history, and leadership of the UAE. It aims to establish, develop and enrich the knowledge repository and offers accurate information with reliable resources for researchers and students in the UAE and around the world.

UAEPedia supports cultural communication and the importance of self-expression in today’s world, where communication becomes more important with globalization and knowledge based economy.

www.uaepedia.ae

The “Telecom Business Continuity Forum” supports TDRA’s plans and policies for business continuity in emergencies and crises, as the telecom sector is vital for various activities and fields such as economy, education, health, security and defense. Therefore, we can say that sustainability of these sectors is necessarily derived from the sustainability of the ICT sector.

Hence, the exceptional importance of this forum, which its first edition was launched in 2011 as part of TDRA efforts to enhance the concepts and culture of sustainability and business continuity in this sector.

IMT-2020, also known as the 5G (Fifth generation), is the next technological revolution in mobile broadband. In line with the vision of the UAE 2021, TDRA aims to be the main driver in launching the fifth generation of mobile commercial service in the country. to read more, click here

In recognition of our immense importance of Consumer welfare in the UAE, TDRA has instructed both licensees to publish and maintain up to date Service Coverage Interactive Maps (SCIM).

The SCIM will enable UAE public telecommunication consumers to obtain coverage information of specific services on a specific location on the map, such as: cellular coverage (2G, 3G, 4G) and fiber coverage for fixed services (double play and triple play).

In addition, it displays location of business- and service centers owned by the licensees in the UAE. To see the maps, click here 

The UAE government has started an initiative to do health examination centers distributed all over the main cities in the UAE. The initiative aims to conduct test for the new Corona virus, COVID-19, which is done for examinees from inside the car. The examinee receives audio instructions via car radio receiver on FM frequency from the time he/she entre the center till leave and the result will be send later to his/her mobile or can be checked through mobile application. TDRA has assigned proper FM sound broadcasting frequency for each location where the examination center was established. For more information, click here.

In the context of the emergency procedures taken as a response to the emerging conditions,TDRA had in coordination with the service providers announced the availability of a set of applications compatible with all UAE networks, to be provided exceptionally and until further notice to support distant learning and work from home. These applications are: Microsoft Teams application, Zoom application, Blackboard application, Cisco Webex, Avaya Spaces, BlueJeans, Slack, Microsoft Skype for Business, Google Hangout meet and Matrx.

To support the current precautionary measures in cooperation with the Health Authority in the Emirate of Dubai, TDRA in coordination with the service providers launched an awareness voice message when making a phone call. For more information, click here.

TDRA invited the customers to send their Eid greetings and Eidiya, digitally, through online banking Apps. For more, click here.

In order to ensure that individuals & entities are able to offer services digitally, TDRA developed UAEPASS, which is the first National Digital Identity, was put to real practice. UAEPASS enables individuals to verify who they are digitally hence enables seamless digital services without the need for physical visit. Furthermore, another key service offered includes the ability to sign documents digitally as well as get digitally signed document verified. For more information, click here.

As part of TDRA’s engagement with the National Emergency and Crisis Management and Disaster Authority NCEMA,  TDRA ensured that the telecom sector ensured that the Emergency Broadcast service availability to deliver the government announcements to the public

In order to support federal government entities within the UAE to enable them to work from home, TDRA has assisted by:

• Provide suite of services to enable government entities to work from home including collaboration, video conferencing tools and cloud services.
• Increase the infrastructure capacities
• Create and circulate guidelines and policies on how to securely deploy and use collaboration tools.

As part of its effort to encourage people to stay at home and avoid social interaction, TDRA announced a recommendation to consumers to use smart applications of the service providers when ordering any of the services, such; managing an account or paying the bills. For more information, click here.

In support of the Health sector, TDRA extended the validity of all wireless permits to hospitals and medical centers regardless of the date of the end of the authorization as well as provided a package of wireless frequency as backup to support the Health sector’s wireless communication systems. For more information, click here.

In coordination between the Ministry of Education in the UAE and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), service providers in the UAE were instructed to provide a package of data needed to access the distance learning feature for families without home internet, free of charge. For more information, click here.

In coordination between the Ministry of Health in the UAE and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), service providers in the UAE were instructed to allow access to these platforms and websites freely without counting against their usage quotas and packages.

The ICT Fund has provided the necessary funding for the Ministry of Education to distribute 14000 computers to Primary Phase students with education continuing through distance learning.

As part of its effort to promote precautionary measures in the ICT sector and to avoid the physical interaction between its employees. All TDRA employees had as off 26 March 2020 started working remotely from home.

TDRA announced increasing the speed of fixed broadband to 100 Mbps, as a result of the measures taken by the telecom sector. This aims to secure high internet speeds that ensure smooth running of online work and distance learning, as well as ensuring the best quality of video and voice calls and sharing files online. For more, click here.

The ICT Fund has provided the necessary funding for the Ministry of Education to distribute 14000 computers to Primary Phase students with education continuing through distance learning.

To facilitate a smooth experience of distant learning and remote working and due to the significant changes to the demand for telecommunications services and the usual telecommunications traffic flows, TDRA urged service providers to enhance its network capacity, perform network re-engineering when required, and to implement any necessary changes as soon as practicable in order to facilitate the success of distance learning and remote working.

In its effort to encourage people to stay at home and practice social distancing,  TDRA announced a list of purchasing apps used in the UAE for consumers to use instead of physically performing daily grocery shopping. TDRA updates the list on a regular basis based on market developments. The online stores included in the list include large shopping centers and cooperatives, in addition to grocery stores, meat and vegetable shops, and other services. For more information,  click here.

In order to make the best of people’s time at home, TDRA provides online training through its “TDRA Academy” by the Center of Digital Innovation at TDRA. The platform offers interactive, free of charge, online training courses on trending topics of business, technology and soft skills around the clock. For more information, For more information about the award please click here.

TDRA, through aeCERT, published a guideline to IT admins on how to secure VPN connections, and is releasing security advisories to all IT and information security professionals on the latest COVID-19-related cyber incidents and attacks. For more information, click here.

TDRA is leading the efforts of raising awareness on the cybersecurity implications of COVID-19 and the safe ways of using work-from-home for the public, through online sessions and videos presented to students in schools and to their families, as well as the employees. For more information, click here.

Communicating with UAE nationals though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informing them about processes and procedures for evacuation and precautions to be taken..

TDRA called on the customers to sterilize their mobile phones in the correct way to avoid contamination. For more, click here.

As part of its efforts to support hospitals and clinics and enable them to provide remote healthcare services, TDRA announced in coordination with telecom operators (Etisalat and du) the availability of additional communication Apps on an exceptional basis on all UAE networks until further notice. The applications are:

• Mind Mina Telemedicine https://mindmina.com
• NextGenGP Telehealth https://www.nextgen.com
• vSee https://vsee.com
• OKADOC https://www.okadoc.com
• DOXY https://doxy.me
• GetBEE https://www.getbee.com

TDRA instructed the telecom licensees in the country to suspend deactivating the mobile services due to documents expiry. This is in line with the government initiative to enable work from home and distant learning. For more information, click here.

TDRA developed a precautionary plan for its employees back to work in TDRA premises. For more, click here.

TDRA developed a comprehensive plan to enable its employees to work from home. click here.