BMGF - VN Project help the poor access Internet

FPT IS has deployed this project. Its engineers will install more than 12,000 computers and their accompanying equipment, LAN network and software on PC at 1,900 public libraries and commune cultural post offices in 40 provinces.

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27/11/2013

The handover ceremony of BMGF Project attended by Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son.

Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the representatives of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) recently held the devices handover ceremony under the 2^nd Phase of BMGF - VN Project for 16 provinces of Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Bac Lieu, Hau Giang, Ca Mau, Vinh Long, Dong Thap and Lam Dong.

Accordingly, 665 public libraries and commune cultural post offices have been equipped with 4,600 Internet-connected computers. After devices are installed and put into use, residents will be free to use the Internet at public libraries and get 50% off the access fees at the commune cultural post offices.

This is the device handover under the 2^nd phase of the project "Improving the ability to use computers and access public Internet in Vietnam" sponsored by the non-governmental organization Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Up to now, the project has been implemented in 28 provinces throughout the country.

Compared with other countries, the project in Vietnam has been implemented in communes, then giving opportunity for information access to marginalized groups, including people in remote areas, as mentioned in the Vision of Global Library Initiative.

Earlier, the 1^st phase of the project was implemented in 15 months (from December 2012 to June 2013) in 12 provinces including Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang and 3 regional training centers in Hanoi, Da Nang and HCMC. 311 libraries, 323 commune cultural post offices and 3 regional training centers were equipped with computers for free Internet access.

This project will be carried out in 5 years (2011-2016) with a total budget of more than USD50 million. In particular, the BMGF’s grant aid is over USD 29.9 million, Microsoft’s software contribution valued at USD 3,639,000 and more than USD16,931,000 from the counterpart fund of Vietnam.