Intel Launches $1B Emerging Markets Program

Staff Reporter -- Electronic News, 5/3/2006

Intel Corp. will invest more than $1 billion over the next five years in a new program to speed access to technology and education for people in the world’s developing communities.

The Intel World Ahead Program is a three-pronged initiative that seeks to increase widespread PC ownership in developing nations, promote global wireless deployment and educate teachers and students. 

The five-year objectives of the program are to extend broadband PC access to the world’s next billion users while training 10 million more teachers on the use of technology in education and with the possibility of reaching another 1 billion students.

“Decades of providing technology in growing volume and at decreasing costs have driven great gains for developing nations, communities and people worldwide, but there is still much to do,” said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO, in a statement today. “While affordability of PCs is crucial, the World Ahead Program goes beyond simple cost to develop the right systems tailored to local needs, drive critical connectivity, cultivate sustainable local capabilities and provide the quality education needed to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

Intel has been active in the global community in recent months. In late March, Intel Capital, the investment arm of Intel, created a $50 million venture capital fund to promote technology growth in Brazil.

A few days later, Intel launched its Discover the PC initiative that develops full-featured, low-cost PC technology tailored for people in developing regions. The company now plans to develop six more geographically tailored PC designs worldwide in the next two years, following on the recently introduced Intel-powered Community PC in India.

Today’s billion dollar move follows an announcement by Intel last week that it would cut $1 billion from its spending for the rest of 2006 and completely revamp its operations this year and beyond. The restructuring is the biggest the MPU kingpin has undertaken since the 1980s.