3. VOIP and Email Migration VOIP - In support of recommendations 1 and 2 above, the Government will consolidate its voice communications into one fully integrated Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) system providing “free” and seamless communications across all ministries/agencies. CITO has embarked on a project with BTL for the latter to provide a hosted VOIP solution. An assessment will be conducted to determine a migration strategy once the Government has its fully functional GOVNET and data centres, adequately equipped and staffed. Email - The Government will also implement and enforce centralized email services. This will be achieved by hosting all government mailboxes on a shared system located within the proposed data centre and ensuring that there is compliance by all Ministries and Departments. 4. Development and Standardisation of E-Services Platform The Government will develop a standardized platform for the delivery of services electronically to its citizens. It will promote the functional integration and networking of public officers, processes and ICT infrastructure into a best-in-class model for the handling of service processes. It will provide, for citizens, residents, businesses and “internal” customers, a common approach to service delivery. OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS The four projects outlined above, have major implications for the success of the overall ICT policy implementation. Both the network consolidation and data centre projects will give effect, at a technical level, to a seamless and connected government. They will reduce costs and improve the security of the network. The Government can achieve greater efficiency in use of resources without sacrificing core functionality at the ministry level. The consolidation of the ministries systems under a data centre will reduce the government’s energy costs and its overall IT expenditure. Additionally the use of renewable energy will further reduce Government’s energy bill. The implementation of a robust business continuity plan will greatly enhance Ministries uptime and availability as more services are moved online. 3.2 C REATIVE R EGULATORY R EFORM The Government of Belize will design and implement pioneering policy and regulatory approaches to ICT adoption and usage in the public service that allow e-Government to flourish in a secure environment. The legal and regulatory framework will consider and incorporate internal standards and best practices benchmarked from leading countries in e-Government. The basic legal infrastructure will be developed to cover the following entities: 15