London could turn itself into a wireless city with a new breed of public services which are delivered more efficiently and can respond to the increasing expectations of users in a consumer age. This is the conclusion of a detailed investigation into the potential of 3G mobile technology to improve city life.

Trials in cities around the world – from parking payment by text in Vienna to Tokyo buses which send messages to passengers’ phones – show the potential of the next generation of mobile technology to improve the quality of urban life.

But compared to business, public agencies in London have often been slow to recognise the potential for wireless technology to transform services and bring people closer to the agencies which deliver them. E-government is seen as a way to automate information provision or conduct instant polls.

“E-government is focusing on the quality of people’s interactions with services rather than the number of services available. The benefits of wireless technology compared to fixed-line broadband are of increasing interest to policy-makers.”

In London Calling, the authors argue that mobile technology can improve efficiency while making services more accountable to the citizens they serve. But, say the authors, local authorities and other public sector agencies need to start leading the development of new attractive mobile applications.

The report also predicts the rise of new forms of social interaction using new mobile technologies. It calls on the mobile operators to offer ‘social software’ as part of their packages which would encourage uses such as video blogging and peer-to-peer networks.