In the second part of the analysis of what life is like without a mobile phone, we will focus on public services and, more generally, on whether and to what extent it is possible to exist as a citizen of a country and participate in society without one.
Nowadays, in the era of digitization, communication with the public sector and its services is much easier. Almost all services no longer require our physical presence to carry out obligations or claim our rights against the state. This is certainly a step forward, as it saves us time and energy that we can spend on more important things for us.
in Greece, where I live, unfortunately, you cannot have full access to digital public services without a mobile phone
I do not know exactly what happens in other countries, but in Greece, where I live, unfortunately, you cannot have full access to digital public services without a mobile phone. This is very strange, as someone with an internet connection and a computer should have the same rights against the public sector as someone with a mobile phone. Therefore, I am forced to be physically present for certain services. While this does not make my participation in society impossible yet, it certainly makes it more difficult and somewhat delayed.
I will share an example from my life and experience of what a typical interaction with the public sector is like without using a mobile phone.
o do something that you, with your mobile phone, would literally accomplish in 10 minutes with an internet connection, I need to spend half a day
Let’s say I need a certificate. I would have to arrange to be absent from work for some time, schedule an appointment if required by that particular service, and have all the necessary documents and supporting materials ready. After first searching for them from the relevant agency or printing them at home. Then, I can go to the service and wait in line, mostly alongside elderly fellow citizens who are not comfortable with technology or foreigners who prefer to be physically present and receive assistance from the staff. And once I complete, in the happy scenario, my transaction, I can return to my normal daily routine.
So, to do something that you, with your mobile phone, would literally accomplish in 10 minutes with an internet connection, I need to spend half a day, including driving to and from the service. Additionally, it is a fact that the mood or patience—and often justified—of public employees is not always the best, risking that you leave there not feeling calm at best.
even with the extra trouble required for simple transactions with the public sector without owning a mobile phone, I wouldn’t trade the peace of mind that all other moments without it provide me
So far, so good. You can exist as a citizen, at least in Greece, without a mobile phone. With a bit more effort and inconvenience. I assume this applies only to people living in a country where the functioning standards of modern Western societies are not entirely operational, like Greece where I live. However, even with the extra trouble required for simple transactions with the public sector without owning a mobile phone, I wouldn’t trade the peace of mind that all other moments without it provide me. The problem is that it seems that even here, soon, the limits will tighten, and there will be greater zeal in enforcing the laws. This will probably make participation in society impossible without owning a mobile phone, as seems to already be the case in your country.
I would very much like to find out exactly what the situation is and if it is possible to exist as an equal citizen without a mobile phone in the country where you reside. I would be happy to discover through your comments how essential the mobile phone is in your daily life and whether its absence would hinder your participation in society, whether it relates to your work or communication with the public sector. So, do not hesitate to leave your comments below, and let’s start a nice discussion.
GotNoPhone now what? 
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