" ITREALMS: Intel commits $1b on WAP, unveils 2 core processors

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Intel commits $1b on WAP, unveils 2 core processors

Remmy Nweke

Global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution provider, Intel Corporation, has outlined its five-year plans for Nigeria, even as it has committed the sum of $1 billion into its World Ahead Programme (WAP).

WAP is Intel’s initiative to deliver affordable access for Personal Computer (PC) penetration in the Least Developing Countries (LDCs) institutions.

General Manager, Emerging Markets at Intel, Mr. Mark Beckford, said the firm’s plans for Nigeria till 2010, is to train about 10 million teachers with relevant ICT appreciation courses.

This came as Intel introduced two new processors, Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme.

He also said the plans would in turn multiply to breeding of about 1 billion students through the use of technology in the country.

Mr. Beckford noted that this will be realized through its WAP initiative via extending broadband PC access to the next billion users.

“Decades of providing technology in growing volume and at decreasing costs have driven great gains for developing communities and people worldwide, but there is still much to do,” he explained.

Pointing out that WAP is based on three core points, namely accessibility, connectivity and education.

On accessibility, he said, it enables Intel to create opportunities for widespread ownership and user of PCs through affordability, access and content. Stressing, this would include development of fully featured, affordable PCs structured to regional needs.

Connectivity within WAP, Mr. Beckford explained entails that Intel expands wireless broadband Internet access by cultivating the required ecosystems and encouraging deployment, consisting of the broad promotion of Worldwide Interoperability for Micro Ware Access (WiMAX) trials and eventual deployments.

Intel also plans to educate and prepare students for success in the global economy through education programmes and resources, comprising professional development for teachers worldwide.

He further explained that while affordability of PCs is crucial, WAP goes beyond simple cost to develop the right systems to drive critical connectivity, cultivate sustainable local capabilities and provide the quality education needed to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Meanwhile, Intel, weekend in Santa, California unveiled 10 Intel Core 2 Duo and Intel® Core 2 Extreme processors for consumer and business desktop and laptop PCs as well as workstations.

This, reshapes how computers perform, look and consume power and most importantly transformation of how people use them.

President and CEO of Intel, Mr. Paul Otellini, said, “The Core 2 Duo processors are simply the best processors in the world. Not since Intel introduced the Pentium processor that the industry has seen the heart of the computer reinvented like this.”

The Core 2 Duo desktop processor, he said, is an energy-efficient marvel, packing 291 million transistors yet consuming 40 per cent lower power, while delivering the performance needed for the applications of today and tomorrow.

He also said that the highly anticipated processor family already has very broad support with over 550 customer system designs underway, which is top in Intel’s history.

“Ultimately, tens of thousands of businesses will sell computers or components based on these processors,” he asserted.


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