Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Mandate
To provide strategic guidance on national ICT development and to coordinate the implementation of programmes and projects under the National ICT (NICT) Strategy,fastforward. This plan includes a wide range of initiatives in areas such as telecommunications liberalization, infrastructure and development; e-Government; e-Commerce; e-Health; e-Justice; and ICT related policy development and regulations.
Information and Communications Technology Division
Q. What is ICT?
A. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an umbrella term that describes the integration of information and digital communications tools as well as telecommunications infrastructure. It includes a variety of applications and technologies such as radio, television, cellular communications, computer hardware, information security, videography, graphic design, sound engineering and software programming, to name a few.
The effective use of ICTs can make cooperation easy between any combination of governments, businesses and individuals, irrespective of location. ICTs are being used around the globe to improve and preserve quality of life, develop and maximize human potential, and increase productivity and competitiveness.
Q. What is fastforward?
A. fastforward is Trinidad and Tobago‘s National Information and Communication Technology Strategy. It provides a roadmap that charts a clear and determined course to a connected society and a knowledge-based economy. Its aim is to provide strategies that equip citizens with the tools necessary to navigate ICT effectively. This will enable the development of a connected country that will adapt, flourish and prosper in the new global information society.
Q. What is the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT) Communications Backbone?
A. The Backbone is the infrastructure that enables all connected ministries and public sector agencies to communicate and share information through its secure network. It provides key services such as Internet access, e-mail (audio, video and text), e-messaging, e-scheduling, secure data transmission and access to a Help Desk.
The Backbone‘s network architecture, advanced technologies, scaleable design and forceful security grid are central to the infrastructure that has been put in place. This Government Wide Area Network (GWAN) will be used for hosting Government‘s enterprise-wide applications, such as those for human resource management, payroll and electronic document management.
Q. What are the benefits of the Backbone?
A. The Backbone supports national efforts to transform, modernize and integrate Government operations through improved communication channels for sharing both within and outside of the Government service. This common infrastructure allows for greater effectiveness and efficiency in Government‘s overall operations, and also provides the tools to support Government‘s vision of becoming a truly interactive public service organization.
Q. What is the e-Government Portal?
A. The e-Government Portal is a single point of access to relevant Government information and services online. As the Portal evolves, users will have access to increasingly more sophisticated services through this common interface. Typical services will range from simple interactions such as online registration, appointment scheduling and service progress tracking, to more elaborate transactions such as payment for, and delivery of, appropriate services.
Q. What are the benefits of the e-Government Portal?
A. The Portal will change the way in which Government interacts with its stakeholders (citizens, businesses, the Diaspora, international community). Based on the needs o