Deployment of Telework in European Public Administrations

46
Deployment of Telework in European Public Administrations: An Overview
61
see European Commission, DG XIII (1997), p. 27.

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The Metropolitan Network of Antwerp (MANAP) is based on fibre optic, and will enable a
decentralisation of services back to the cities' boroughs. It is planned that 60% of local civil
servants be accommodated. Inter-operability between the town hall, the district houses,
administrative buildings, police stations, public hospitals and the universities has been facilitated.
‘Telepolis’, an information centre as a merger of the City of Antwerp and the Antwerp social
welfare department replaced the mainframes of two independent bodies with one. Later the port
authorities also became integrated. The establishment of Telepolis resulted in 30% more capacity
and saved 40% of operators, whereby the entire project emerged without the loss of jobs.
Digital Metropolis Antwerp (DMA) is the project name for the public interface of the local
authorities. Citizens are regularly invited to express their opinions on certain political issues in the
electronic domain, while the College of Aldermen can be contacted by e-mail. Three Cybercafes,
a cyberbus and information kiosks serve as local hubs for a far-reaching integration of citizens.