Intel in talks to tap IT market

MUMBAI, Oct 31: Intel Corporation, the multi-billion dollar chip manufacturer, is in talks with local suppliers, including the Genuine Intel Dealer channel, to tap the enormous market thrown up by the recommendations of the IT Task Force. "We have had a number of conversations with suppliers. We intend to pursue it," John Davies, vice-president, Intel, Asia Pacific, about the move to equip all schools with computers.

The IT Task Force in its list of 108 recommendations to the prime minister had suggested computers be supplied to students, teachers and schools at concessional rates under the Vidyarthi, Shikshak, and School Computer schemes. The government has already approved zero duty on PCs donated by NRIs to schools. "There is good potential. We want children to use Intel Inside’ PCs," Davies said. However, he refused to comment on whether any discounts would be offered.

Intel has a near monopoly in India with a 90 per cent share in microprocessors. It actively targets children by positioning it as atool which makes learning more interesting through multimedia. The government is also likely to talk to non-Intel companies like Cyrix for this. Dewang Mehta, member of the task force, however, said the exact modalities have to still be worked out. The task force is still in the process of working out how to finance the schemes and source the PCs.