Intel Atom seen to ease Pinoys' Internet access

The introduction of Intel's smallest processor called the "Intel Atom" in the Philippines is expected to allow more Filipinos to own nettops and netbooks and have easier access to the world-wide-web.

Intel Atom is purposely built for netbooks and nettops, which is a new category of simple, affordable devices for the Internet. It is also built with the world's smallest transistors based on industry-leading 45nm high-k metal gate technology.

Intel Atom's introduction is expected to provide easy Internet access to over 100 million people in the world by owning ultra portable notebooks or netbooks.

In a formal launch held in Manila last week, Intel Asia Pacific vice president and general manager Navin Shenoy said that with this development, Intel will be bringing technology to everyone as the cost of technology gadgets are going down.

The new Central Processing Unit (CPU), which is about the size of a fingernail, is also designed to consume low power.

In the Philippines, demand for Internet is very strong. However, affordability has been the greatest barrier for Filipinos to access the Internet and to own Personal Computers (PCs).

As of 1997, there were only one million Filipinos who subscribed to the broadband technology despite the strong demand. While only 4.9 million (or four percent of the total population) were able to access the Internet in the same year, said Intel country manager for the Philippines, Ricky Banaag.

Intel is closely working with netbooks and notebook manufacturers to roll out the Intel Atom powered tools to provide affordable Internet tool to "everyone."

Netbooks and nettops offer both emerging and mature markets an easy-to-use device with simple interfaces and targeted performance for a good online experience.

Netbooks are rugged and compact in design, and offer the freedom and flexibility of wireless connectivity, whereas nettops offer an affordable at-home experience on a reliable computing device.

Nettops and netbooks are considered secondary PC gadget for the mature market, while these would also allow students, children to connect to the Internet easily, as these are the affordable option for education, photo, and video viewing, social networking, voice over IP, e-mail, messaging, browsing and other Internet activities as well as for basic applications.

Now, that small laptops, or the nettops, and notebooks are priced within an average price of P20,000, Bana-ag said this could provide an opportunity for more Filipinos to take advantage of the technology, especially the Internet.

Today, other netbooks are also powered by other processor brands, like VIA-C7, Intel-celeron, and AMD (American Micro-Device).

Latest data showed that only 700,000 households in the Philippines are connected with broadband access. The affordable computing tools, boosted by the introduction of powerful but affordable micro-processor from Intel, Bana-ag said Internet connectivity rate in the Philippines is seen to increase dramatically in the next few years.

Like cellular phones, the need to have a computing device to connect to the Internet regardless of location, is the next family-necessity for Filipinos. – Ehda M. Dagooc