Bermuda-based consulting firm Accenture has been awarded a new contract by the Bronnoysund Register Centre to continue the development and running of Norway's business and citizen online communication portal Altinn.

The new phase of development, known as Altinn II, includes a three-year contract worth about $44.4 million (230 million Norwegian Kroner) covering application development and continued management of the e-government portal, based on Microsoft.NET technology, with the option for three one-year extensions.

The new contract will encompass the implementation of a simplified user interface, collaboration services, an advanced security solution, and operation of the portal service.

The Altinn portal service was started by the Norwegian government in 2002 to simplify the interaction between government, businesses and citizens by providing a single electronic channel for written communication with the public sector, enabling businesses and citizens to communicate with multiple government agencies through a single point of submission.

"Through the Altinn II initiative the Norwegian Government demonstrates its focus and long term commitment for Norway to create world class eGovernment. Altinn II will help achieve this, states Erik Fossum," director of the Bronnoysund Register Centre.