Barrett says time is right to close digital divide

16.01.2009

IDGNS: Is that low enough to deploy them widely in the poorest countries? How low can you get that price?

Barrett: If you look at any of the trends, the costs are going to come down. Look at Portugal, which at the current cost has committed to doing 500,000 Classmate PCs. Venezuela has committed to buying a million. So it's apparently low enough for countries that are relatively low on the economic ladder to make a big investment.

IDGNS: Portugal's a bit better off than Bangladesh.

Barrett: Yes, but the trend is in the right direction; we're down to a few hundred bucks.

IDGNS: How many Classmates do you have in the field today?