Intel, Vdc And Usaid Collaborate to Deploy Wimax in Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam, June 14, 2006 – Intel, Vietnam Data Communication Company (VDC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly co-lead efforts to expedite the adoption of new generation wireless broadband technologies to enhance the lives and economic opportunity of Vietnam’s rural and remote communities. Together with Lao Cai leadership and local stakeholders, the three partners will collaborate in conducting an eight months WiMAX trial using one base station and about 20 end-user locations in Lao Cai province. The trial service providing will be taken place from July to end of December 2006. Further plans are in the works for using satellite links to extend WiMax reach to areas difficult to reach with land-based infrastructure.

According to this MoU, this WiMAX trial will demonstrate the economic and social development value of widespread access to innovative ICT services such as VoIP phone service(voice over internet protocol), on-line games, and modern internet support to schools, community health clinics, vocational and job training centers, local entrepreneurs and small businesses, hotels, and other social needs – while at the same time supporting the community service priorities of local authorities. The deployment is also in synch with the Internet Post Office program, initiated by Vietnam’s Ministry of Posts and Telematics in 1998 which promotes technology accessibility as a cultural hub for local people and ethnic groups.

 

This collaboration is part of Intel’s Asian Broadband Campaign, a pan-regional program aimed at accelerating wireless broadband deployment throughout Southeast Asian countries. 

 

“Intel believes that WiMAX can help Vietnam become more economically and socially dynamic,” said Gerry Greeve, Vice President, Communication and Media, Intel Corporation. “We collaborate with the government and industry ecosystem to increase technology accessibility and achieve digital inclusion through a cohesive and innovative wireless broadband deployment strategy. Such deployment will also support all stakeholders in achieving the digital ASEAN vision, and in integrating ASEAN region to become globally competitive.”

 

Tim Beans, Director of USAID’s Regional Development Mission Asia (RDMA) said, “During a decade of huge economic and social adjustments, Vietnam’s commitment to the development of its people has already reduced poverty 33%.  During the next decade, ICT and world-wise knowledge access will be key to Vietnam’s global integration and economic competitiveness. We are very glad to support Vietnam’s vision to go far beyond major cities to reach all of its citizens with the benefits of world-wide digital information access and “knowledge economy”. Beans added, “By harnessing leading-edge technologies today – in partnership with both private and public sectors – Vietnam is positioning itself for expanding job creation and creating a more prosperous future as regional and international markets grow and evolve. By working together, American technology leaders and US development expertise are helping to make this possible”