Smart, Intel team up to provide ‘Internet for All’

Smart Communications, Inc. said yesterday it is strengthening its ‘Internet for All’ initiatives by collaborating with Intel Technology Philippines Inc. to make the Internet available to all through low-cost, easy-to-use and widely accessible products, services, solutions and devices.

”Since ‘Internet for All’ is not just about connectivity, but also about affordable and reliable devices, we are delighted to team up with Intel, whose technology innovations have resulted in the production of low-cost PC devices that will bring the World Wide Web closer to more people,” said Smart chief wireless adviser Orlando B. Vea.

”Just as we democratized the mobile phone, Smart hopes to bring Internet connectivity down to the grassroots – a vision that we share with Intel,” he added.

Ricky Banaag, Intel Technology Philippines country manager, said the collaboration with Smart is aligned with Intel’s ‘World Ahead’ program, where the giant chipmaker works with governments, development organizations, community groups, and other technology leaders to empower billions of people worldwide through access to technologies best suited for local needs, connections to the world via high-speed technologies, education that prepares them for the future, content and services that improve their lives and healthcare improvements via technology.

”Intel is proud to be a partner in this endeavor to fast-track technology adoption. For the past years, we’ve focused on developing low-cost platforms to lower the cost of PCs, knowing fully well that price has been a major obstacle to our vision to bring connectivity to millions of users,” he said.

Smart, the country’s leading wireless services provider, and Intel, a semiconductor giant with main offices in the US, are combining strengths to make ‘Internet for All’ a reality in the Philippines. The country continues to have one of the lowest Internet penetration among its peer countries in the region – with un-served demand for Internet access estimated at 15 million connections.

Smart, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Smart Broadband, Inc. (SBI), has started putting the Internet in the hands of a broader segment of the population with Smart Bro, a revolutionary high-speed broadband Internet service that uses the nationwide network of Smart to wirelessly connect computers to the World Wide Web.

Through its Smart Schools Program, Smart is also providing Internet access, content and training to faculty and students of 150 public high school and 30 public elementary school partners nationwide.