Qualcomm's Wireless Reach Initiative Brings Advanced 3G Technology to Vietnam Communities

(Business News & Technology News, 26 Mar 2008)

Qualcomm Inc. is working to improve access to education tools and resources through the provision of CDMA2000 1xEV-DO wireless broadband services at the Community Technology and Learning Center (CTLC) in Dong Anh, Vietnam. The CTLC is part of the Training Online Programs and Incubation for Communities (TOPIC64) initiative, supported by USAID's public/private partnership agreement with Qualcomm through its Wireless Reach initiative and other TOPIC64 partners.

Wireless Reach, along with United States Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Michael Michalak, and TOPIC64 partners from Electricity Vietnam Telecom (EVNTelecom), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard and the Center for Research and Consulting on Management (CRC), are working together to empower underserved communities in each of Vietnam¡¯s 64 provinces by establishing CTLCs with computers, software and Internet connectivity via 3G CDMA wireless technology. Each organization contributed to the project by providing software, equipment, technical support, management fees for implementing and administrating the project and wireless equipment.

"Wireless Reach is committed to actively support the Vietnamese government in improving Internet penetration rates and the overall educational environment," says Ming Li, Vice President of Business Development for Qualcomm. "TOPIC64 cultivates new learning opportunities in Vietnam through the provision of 3G Internet access and Microsoft materials that have been translated into Vietnamese with corresponding training. The CTLCs offer an avenue for local people to get trained on practical applications and skills that hopefully can translate into jobs for them."

TOPIC64 was launched in April 2006 as one of Qualcomm's first Wireless Reach projects. It seeks to educate Vietnamese citizens in basic IT, management and marketing skills by providing technical expertise via teacher training and technical support at each of the CTLCs. With the project's 64 CTLCs established, Qualcomm and EVNTelecom have invested in upgrading the Dong Anh center to EV-DO to enable additional services and enhanced educational learning opportunities on EVNTelecom's new broadband wireless network. In 2006, the Development Gateway Award selected TOPIC64 from 160 projects worldwide into the seven finalists for excellence in application of ICT for communities. In 2007, the Stockholm Challenge Award also named TOPIC64 among the three international finalists for ICT application in education.

"To date, approximately 24,000 students have been trained with the centers' basic IT training program, about 840 teachers have been tested and trained about the new curriculum and teaching methodology," says Dr. Tuan Pham, Director of CRC. "The importance of ICT in Vietnam's education has increased significantly over the past few years, and with the upgrade to EV-DO technology, we hope to promote other online learning opportunities for rural citizens, as well as potentially work with the Vietnamese government to provide government services online."

"Being well aware of TOPIC64's importance and social benefit and its reliance on our CDMA technology network, EVNTelecom is pleased to be providing high-speed Internet access, free CPE, one-year free services for CTLC and 24/7 technical support for the project," said Nguyen Manh Bang, CEO of EVNTelecom, a subsidiary of EVN Group now operating a CDMA2000 450Mhz cellular mobile network nationwide, and one of three full-licensed telecom operators in Vietnam.

Qualcomm believes access to advanced wireless voice and data services improves people's lives. Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative supports programs and solutions that bring the benefits of connectivity to developing communities globally. By working with partners, Wireless Reach projects create new ways for people to communicate, learn, access health care and reach global markets.

Click here for more information on Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative


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