Intel-led campaign aims to raise rural ICT literacy, PC skills
Intel and seven partners have launched the "Amazing PC" campaign to deliver skills and knowledge in information and communications technology to rural communities via mobile centres.
"The campaign is aimed at driving IT and computer use throughout the country, and we hope that it will increase computer access and reach more than 400,000 households," Accharas Ouysinprasert, manager of Intel Microelectronics (Thailand), said yesterday.
The campaign will reach 1,200 tambon and 400 destination locations in 67 provinces with seven trucks or buses, each equipped with about 20 desktop and notebook computers, he said.
A simple computer-training course for everyday use called Intel Easy Steps has been specially designed for people lacking in computer knowledge and skills.
The buses will provide IT fluency to people and students in remote areas from April 19 to December.
The seven partners are Lenovo, Acer, Samsung, Toshiba, Asus, HP and Dell.
The campaign is expected to help the personal-computer market grow by about 20 per cent this year as families buy a PC for one of their members. Of the more than 19 million households nationwide, 15 million, or 77 per cent, still do not possess a computer.
The project shows that Intel invests heavily in the Thai market but the firm cannot disclose the budget for the campaign, Accharas said.
ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap said the campaign would provide an opportunity for rural people to become IT-literate. The campaign will also leverage the knowledge of people in remote communities to use IT to support their business and lifestyles in the era of a knowledge-based economy.
The ministry also provides IT knowledge and skills to people upcountry via 1,200 ICT community centres nationwide.
Settapong Malisuwan, vice chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, said the Intel campaign would help narrow the gap in IT literacy between metropolitan and upcountry residents.
To reduce the need for digital devices and to ensure universal access, the NBTC plans to invest about Bt20 billion to set up network infrastructure over 80 per cent of the country within five years. The commission now runs about 950 ICT centres in communities nationwide. It will expand data communications by more than 20-fold within five years to help boost the competitiveness of the country.
