In Connectivity, Estonia is 26th, facing particular challenges in 5G and Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) deployment.
It has invested in technologies such as the Bürokratt AI network and the 3D digital twin project to improve public service efficiency and accessibility.
In healthcare, Estonia has achieved a digitalization rate of 99% for prescriptions and offers a broad range of online health services.
By virtue of its geographical location, the country played important role in transporting Internet culture to neighbouring Russia.
[15] In 1996 Estonian president Lennart Meri started the four-year state program "Tiigrihüpe" to computerize and internetize all of the country's schools.
[citation needed] The first public Wi-Fi area was launched in 2001 and a system of mobile data networks that enable widespread wireless broadband access has developed.
[citation needed] In 2011, the country had over 2,440 free, certified Wi-Fi areas meant for public use, including at cafes, hotels, hospitals, schools, and gas stations.
The country has a digital ID card system,[16] and in 2005 local elections were held with the official possibility to vote online – the first case of its kind in the world.
[14] The country's most popular search engine in Estonia is Google, although a not so common, but still existing alternative is the local Neti.ee.
They may only provide this data to surveillance agencies or security authorities when presented with a court order.
No personal information that is considered sensitive—such as political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, sexual behavior, health, or criminal convictions—can be processed without the consent of the individual.
[14] Prior to the blocking of remote gambling sites in 2010 the Internet in Estonia was free of censorship.
[21] In March 2010 the Tax and Customs Board had compiled a blocking list containing 175 sites which ISPs are to enforce.