How to transform digital public service infrastructure

SmartCitiesWorld Podcast

In our latest episode of the SmartCitiesWorld Podcast, senior editor Luke Antoniou speaks with Hong-Eng Koh, Global Chief Public Services Industry Scientist for Huawei’s Enterprise Business Group.

With more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in public sector operations and ICT applications, Mr Koh is particularly well placed to explain how digital transformation at government level can drive forward digital public services and the digital economy for governments at all levels, from cities to central.

Here, we discover why digital public service infrastructure is the root of smart city offerings, what this type of infrastructure encompasses, and the need for incremental improvements. Beyond this, we also speak to Mr Koh about how the different development paths and processes that exist in each individual city shape the approach that governments must take to overhauling digital public service infrastructure, as well as the role that Huawei plays in supporting these efforts.

We’re introduced to a number of leading case study examples of digital public service infrastructure transformation during the conversation, from ranging from the Spanish city of Alicante and its more than 8 million visitors each year, to Dubai and its role as a leader in digital public services.

Beyond technology requirements, we also hear from Mr Koh on the eight common factors that should shape all digital public service infrastructure development paths, beginning with leadership and vision, and ending with the need to build a wider technology ecosystem, via data strategy, security and sovereignty.

You can find more from Mr Koh in his latest opinion for SmartCitiesWorld on digital public service infrastructure here.

For more information from Huawei, take a look at their whitepaper on Public Services Digital Infrastructure.

About Hong-Eng Koh

As a former Singapore Government official and subsequently leading the implementation of the first generation Singapore’s nationwide mega e-government project, Hong-Eng Koh has more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in public sector operations and ICT applications. Before joining Huawei in 2016, he spent 16 years in Oracle on various regional and global leadership roles in the government, education and healthcare segments. Throughout his career, Hong-Eng has been involved in the transformation of public sector agencies in 70-plus countries. He has also authored various papers on the digital transformation of the public sector, even resulting in the development of corresponding solutions. Hong-Eng is widely recognised internationally and has received various awards. He is a sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator.