PRESS-RELEASE: eSignature technology, unique in Europe, developed in Latvia

Starting today eSignature is available on the Internet. A new virtual eSignature portal - www.eparaksts.lv - opened this week. It represents a unique solution not only for Latvia, but also for Europe, because it can be used on the Internet. There is no need for smart cards, special equipment or software. The eSignature project has been developed by the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LSRTC), which is the only Certificate Authority (CA) in Latvia that is fully responsible for Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). To date, you had to have a special card and card reader to sign documents with a Trusted eSignature, or it was impossible to meet all of the PKI security requirements. The uniqueness of the LSRTC product is that they created true Clouding PKI. As a result, a person who wants to sign legally binding document all over the Europe doesn't need any card that holds Public Key Certificates or card readers. LSRTS also expects interest in this technology from business enterprises and institutions in other countries, as this new eSignature will provide legally binding communications in all EU countries. "The electronic signature in the Internet is a cardinal step towards the further development of the e-environment. All of the obstacles that stopped many people from signing documents electronically have been removed. The new technology is easily comprehensible, secure and economical in terms of cost. I believe that in a couple of years it will become an invaluable tool for everybody in Latvia," said Janis Bokta, CEO of LSRTC. "We can be proud that it is in Latvia where this new approach to the use of eSignature has been developed, thus considerably improving the sustainability of the service and its use in the everyday life of the people. eSignature has entered a new stage of development and the Ministry of Transport has already started to work on legislative alignment to improve the availability of eSignature and make it easy to use, " says Uldis Augulis, Latvia's minister of transport. The importance of the new eSignature has also been stressed by IT&T specialists in Latvia. Signe Balina, the president of the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association, stated: "This technological solution will undoubtedly promote the use of eSignature and the development of the e-environment in Latvia in general. I am convinced that very soon there will be other innovative solutions in use because of the possibilities the new eSignature offers. Technologies foster development and determine changes in everyday habits, and the new eSignature is definitely to be ranked among such technologies." The costs of the new eSignature are lower than any delivery by mail in Latvia. The cost of signing once is LVL 0.29, and for twenty times – LVL 2.90. It is possible to get an unlimited number of eSignatures up until the end of the year for LVL 6.99. It can be used from any equipment that has an Internet connection – computer, laptop or smartphone. The document is signed electronically within a couple of minutes and the addressee receives it by e-mail. Authentication for the eSignature homepage is done by using the bank card number and code card or code calculator. At present it is available for the clients of Swedbank, SEB and Citadele bank. Authentication is possible also for the present eSignature users by using a smart card. To sign a document a person uses the PIN code that is received when the user is granted an eSignature and has created a password for themselves. Applications for eSignatures are made through LSRTC Customer Service Centres, which in cooperation with the State Agency Culture Information Systems are open in 60 libraries all over Latvia. To apply, a person has to produce his/her passport and the application form that can be filled in and printed from the homepage www.eparaksts.lv or at a library. Then authentication in the portal follows. Alongside the new eSignature technology, obtaining and using eSignature smart cards will be possible. Electronic Documents Law legislates the use of eSignature in Latvia. It stipulates that an electronically signed document is to be accepted by any state institution. A document signed electronically by two parties is also to be considered valid. The LSRTC has invested LVL 190,000in the development of eSignature. Established in 1924, the LSRTC is one of the leading electronic communication providers in Latvia. It ensures telecommunication solutions for the most leading operators of mobile communications, the Internet and telecommunications and state institutions in Latvia. The LSRTC is the main operator for radio and television broadcasting in the country. Since 1 June 2009 the LSRTC has been the official provider of certification services, after taking over these obligations from the company Latvijas Pasts. Contacts: Antra Savlevica, Baltic Communication Partners; phone: + (371) 672-18-671; mobile: + (371) 264-22-891; e-mail: [email protected] All the materials for the press conference available for downloading: www.eparaksts.lv; www.twitter.com/eParaksts; www.facebook.com/eParaksts; www.draugiem.lv/eparaksts.