Intel Promotes PC in Developing Countries
Online staff -- EDN, March 31, 2006
Intel Corp. today announced its "Discover the PC" initiative aimed at providing full-featured PC technology to help people discover the benefits of personal computing in countries like Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, Ghana and Nigeria.
As part of the initial implementation of this effort, Intel and Mexico’s Telmex will collaborate to expand the use of technology in Mexico by making a new type of desktop PC available to first-time computer users. Intel intends to work with governments and local telecommunications companies to initially launch the PC in other parts of the world later in the year.
"The Discover the PC initiative is part of Intel's longstanding and comprehensive approach toward sharing the benefits of personal computing with those who have traditionally had neither the access nor the means to use technology," Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini said in a statement. "Intel is proud to be part of the effort to deliver the benefits of computing more broadly to people."
At a news conference in Mexico City, Otellini unveiled the full-featured, high-quality desktop PC that Telmex would make available as part of the initiative. The new PC -- which will be available through Telmex in the early second-half of this year, initially to state governments -- has been tailored specifically for use in developing nations with an easy-to-use interface designed for first time users. It has been built as a small form-factor, low-cost and energy efficient PC that is well suited for dense living conditions, Intel said. The MPU giant also noted that, because it has joined with government agencies and telecommunications partners that will provide Internet access, the computing platform will offer all the features of a PC available today while being sold significantly below typical PC prices. These prices will differ by country based on local PC prices and family incomes.
Otellini also announced today an expansion of the Intel “Teach to the Future” program in Mexico.
Since 2001, nearly 130,000 teachers in Mexico have participated in Intel’s “Teach to the Future,” a program that helps educators understand how to use technology to enhance learning. Intel will triple these efforts over the next five years, said Otellini, and will work with the Mexico Ministry of Education, the Latinamerican Institute of Educative Communication (ILCE), the National Pedagogic University (UPN) and other organizations in the country to train an additional 400,000 teachers.
Intel also will provide 5,000 free PCs to support digital inclusion and education programs in Mexico. Telmex will support the effort by providing Internet access for the PCs. In addition, Intel launched an expanded Spanish-language education Web site where Mexico's teachers can find resources for developing lessons that use technology.
Intel this week announced other initiatives to promote the use of technology in rapidly growing regions of the world. Efforts include the formation of a $50 million venture capital fund in Brazil to encourage local technology businesses and innovation, and the introduction of a community PC in India as part of the “Discover the PC” initiative, designed specifically to meet the needs of local rural communities. The company this week also announced the expansion of Intel education programs to several Eastern European nations.
"Intel has long been working with local governments and organizations in developing countries to bring the benefits of personal computing to homes, schools and businesses," concluded Mark Beckford, general manager, Intel’s emerging markets platforms group, in a statement. "With Intel's focus on enabling the local PC industry infrastructure with tailored products, investments and partnerships, we believe we have been able to make a real difference in people's lives. The purpose of the Discover the PC initiative is to bring personal computing to citizens in developing countries that currently can't access or afford a personal computer."
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