Enhancing Efficiency in the Public Sector with Mobile Solutions

The public sector is under enormous pressure. Amid economic uncertainty, local governments are being forced to make budget reductions and prioritise efficiency.

These struggles have put job cuts on the cards, yet at the same time, many of these services have never been in higher demand.

All of this means the public sector is having to do more with less and balance limited resources with growing demands for their services.

Digital transformation offers the potential to solve these challenges, yet 26% of public sector decision-makers believe their existing tech is hindering their organisation, and just 15% think communication and collaboration tools are being used to their full potential.

Mobile devices are one technology that has emerged as an indispensable solution across many industries, and the public sector is no exception.

The role of mobile solutions in the public sector

There are several crucial ways mobile devices are helping the public sector drive efficiency:

Enabling real-time communications

Mobile devices have been pivotal to the rise of flexible work. Today’s employees are no longer limited to their desks and have the freedom and flexibility to operate from different locations.

Not only is this a plus for retention and engagement, but also productivity and communication. This is particularly the case for police, healthcare and fire services, where mobiles can facilitate real-time communications and keep them connected to teams, colleagues, and the public.

Fostering greater collaboration

Just as these devices can strengthen communication, they can also encourage collaboration.

Devices like Samsung Galaxy S25 Enterprise Edition have the processing speed and sharing capabilities required to perform essential tasks and access applications on the move without needing to be in the office.

Providing instant access to data

Mobile solutions can also give public sector services visibility on another crucial resource: data.

Data is the backbone of effective decision making in social services and other public sector functions. It’s essential for monitoring performance, tracking improvements and optimising resources. Mobile devices allow teams to access this information no matter where they’re working from and make informed, real-time decisions.

Addressing unique public sector challenges

The benefits mobile solutions can offer are clear. But how can they solve the specific public sector challenges?

Cost restraints

As cuts to funding linger, public sector firms should ensure their investment in mobile solutions is cost-effective.

With flexible tariffs, financial plans and device leasing options, partnering with Virgin Media O2 Business and Samsung can help you keep mobile costs under control, whilst capitalising on the benefits of this technology.

Security and compliance concerns

The personal nature of public sector services like healthcare and education necessitates rigorous security measures to protect sensitive data.

With Samsung’s defence-grade Knox suite, trusted by military and government bodies worldwide, you can rest assured that personal information stored and accessed on mobile devices is secure.

These devices can also be optimised and updated to comply with compliance and business-specific regulations.

Demanding environments

Public sector services often face long hours in demanding environments. While traditional devices can keep them connected, poor battery life and reliability can easily render them inactive.

Ruggedised mobile devices like the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 are subjected to military-grade testing to ensure their durability. This makes them perfect for challenging environments, as evidenced by the National Highways case study.

They’re also equipped with longer-lasting batteries that can easily be replaced, reducing downtime and helping field workers stay connected and operational.

Business benefits of mobile solutions

The benefits of adopting mobile solutions add up to deliver real, tangible impacts on public sector services as a whole.

Being able to communicate on the move can improve the operational efficiency of public sector functions. These digital solutions will also free up employees to focus on serving the public, rather than managing paperwork.

Critically, these devices can enhance public satisfaction by accelerating response times, streamlining manual processes, and improving resource allocation.

As Greg Hudson, Mobility Team Manager, IT & Digital, West Midlands Police told Samsung in a case study on the impact of their Knox-equipped devices:

“We’re cutting down on travel time, fuel and vehicle usage… We get increased police visibility on the street. And we’re getting three more jobs per officer per day.”

How Virgin Media O₂ Business and Samsung can help

Virgin Media O₂ Business, in partnership with Samsung, has extensive experience in the public sector. We work with over 550 public sector organisations, who all trust us to support them with the transformation of their digital processes.

From reliable 5G connectivity and ruggedised devices to defence-grade security and comprehensive support, we have the expertise to provide reliable mobile solutions specifically tailored to the needs of your organisation.

What’s more, through our tech donation programme and recycling schemes, we can help you contribute to social value when it’s time to replace your equipment.