CCTV.COM -- FREE COMPUTERS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

cctv.com 11-08-2005 10:37
Editor:Chen Zhuo

The Internet has brought the world to millions of people, but billions more have never even made a phone call. A technology company in Hong Kong has announced an ambitious plan to distribute millions of simple computers in developing countries -- for free. The firm believes the devices can help bridge the "digital divide".

This computer unveiled in Hong Kong may be the solution -- it will offer free Internet services to users in developing countries.

Hong Kong technology company Asiatotal.net is behind the project, and says the first 200-thousand units will be shipped to Brazil in the next few months.

Judy Chen, Asiatotal.Net Chief Executive, said, "the moment we believe that spells the beginning of the end of the 'digital divide.' The moment when we begin to do something about the fact that 70 percent of the world's Internet users live in 24 richest countries that contain just 16 percent of the world population."

The company says the computer will be given to select individuals, groups and small businesses who have never accessed the Internet before.

Manufacturers developed the computers in Taiwan, and are ready to build more than three million units a month for distribution as far afield as Africa and Eastern Europe.

It's estimated that around 85 percent of the world's population has no access to the Internet, and that a third of all websites are only in English.

Women and girls are said to suffer a further "gender divide" and have even less access to the web than males.

Asiatotal hopes to change that -- by making the World-Wide Web truly worldwide.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source: CCTV.com