Intel Strengthens Commitment to East Africa Development, Advances Digital Access and Education Efforts in Kenya

Intel Chairman Unveils Collaborative Plans for First Mobile WiMAX Trial, Kicks-Off Teacher Training and Special Student Lessons With Ministry of Education

NAIROBI, Kenya. – Marking his first visit to Kenya, Intel Corporation Chairman Craig Barrett announced an agreement to help accelerate the spread of wireless and broadband computer connections to encourage Kenya’s social and economic development. He also initiated a major program to train teachers in using technology to improve educating young people.

The three-way agreement, signed by Intel, Alcatel-Lucent and Kenya Data Networks (KDN), sets the stage for rolling out the country’s first mobile WiMAX trial. The pilot project will be the first in Kenya to use next-generation WiMAX 802.16e technology – better known as mobile WiMAX. It is widely considered an ideal solution for providing high-quality wireless broadband service at an affordable cost.

“Digital access is key to ensuring that Kenya gets a seat at the table in the 21st century knowledge economy,” said Barrett, who also chairs the United Nations Global Alliance for Information Communications Technology (ICT) and Development. “We hope this collaborative effort will create a successful and affordable model for driving broadband use wherever people need it throughout East Africa.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide the equipment and technical expertise for the mobile WiMAX trial, and Intel will serve as an adviser to assist KDN in bringing the WiMAX connectivity online as quickly as possible. Intel’s contribution to the effort will include sharing best-known practices from successful WiMAX projects in other countries served by the Intel World Ahead program. The trial project is aimed at paving the way for a much larger-scale WiMAX network in Kenya in the future.

Improving Education and e-Learning
Barrett also announced that Kenya’s primary school teachers will begin receiving training through the Intel® Teach program early next year. The Intel Teach program is designed to enhance classroom learning by training teachers to integrate technology into their lessons. The program’s launch in Kenya is the result of an agreement that Intel signed earlier with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Cisco, Microsoft and Kenya’s Ministry of Education (MoE).

As part of another agreement that Barrett announced today, Intel and the Kenyan MOE will collaborate on developing localized content for the Intel® skoool™ Learning and Teaching Technology, which is an interactive Internet resource for learning math and science. Intel experts will train MoE software engineers to develop their own digital content for computers in subjects such as geometry and history.

Partnering on Development of East Africa
Earlier today in Nairobi, Barrett met with leading education officials from the East Africa Community. Ministers of Education from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda heard Barrett speak on the importance of ICT in education and its impact on economic development. He also urged the ministers to outline the challenges they face in their respective countries with regard to supporting technologies like computers and broadband Internet connections in schools. He said Intel would help identify potential areas and collaborate with them on solutions.

Barrett took part in separate meetings with Kenya’s Minister of Basic Education Sam Ongeri and Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga to discuss other issues related to accelerating ICT deployment.

As part of those conversations, Barrett pointed out that Intel will be in an even better position to serve the needs of the East Africa community when the company establishes a new business entity in the region this month. Intel’s regional efforts will be centralized at an office due to open in Kenya later in December. The company’s official presence in the region further underscores Intel’s recognition of the importance of ICT in the development of East Africa.

About Intel and Intel World Ahead
Through its World Ahead Program, Intel strives to improve education, health care, entrepreneurship and government services in developing countries worldwide by accelerating access to computers, connectivity and localized Internet content. Additional information is available at www.intel.com/changingtheworld and www.intel.com/intel/worldahead.