CICT, Intel sign MoU on Broadband Initiative

Here’s some news from my friends over at the Commission on Information and
Communications Technology (CICT). Posting it without comment in the hope
that someone else will chime in

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To increase broadband technology awareness among the key sectors of the
country, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT)
and Intel Microelectronics Philippines Inc. agreed to launch a broadband
initiative program to increase the rate of internet penetration and usage in
rural areas.

CICT Chairman Virgilio L. Peña and Intel Country Manager Ricardo Banaag
recently forged a memorandum of understanding to jointly implement the
initiative, which aims to hasten the availability of affordable wireless
broadband to the general public.

“Our priority is to deploy broadband to remote areas, in public high schools
and local government units. Eventually, broadband will be deployed to other
communities, such as farming,” Peña said.

He added that, considering the topography of the Philippines, wireless
broadband technology would allow the government to reach remote communities,
without having to lay down wires.

Banaag, on the other hand, recalled that Intel has always had a long history
of collaboration with the government, working closely with industry leaders
to provide support, like the People’s PC Initiative.

Initially, a series of seminars and workshops on internationally-adopted
standard frequencies will be conducted. Intel, which has spearheaded the
Asian Broadband Campaign Collaboration Framework programs in such South East
Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, shall take
the lead in facilitating key activities.

CICT shall encourage and promote the broadband initiative in the government,
and both CICT and Intel will conduct and promote activities aimed at raising
PC, internet and broadband awareness and adoption to the general public.