Intel, Adira Finance push cheap personal computers

Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

For white collar workers in Jakarta, using computers may be as common an activity as eating. But go to the countryside, and such "smart machines" will either be unheard of, unfamiliar, or an unattainable luxury.

To bridge the digital divide between big cities and small towns or remote areas, Intel, the producer of the most-widely used processor in the world, on Thursday launched a program called "Aku Punya PC" (I have a personal computer). In cooperation with Adira Finance, the program will allow customers to buy affordable and complete computer packages on 12-month credit.

Some 500 distributors in almost 100 cities across the country are ready to reach not only individual users and households but, more importantly, small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

"Only 27 percent of the millions of SMEs across the archipelago use computers," said Intel Indonesia Corporation country manager Budi Wahyu Jati, quoting data from the International Data Center (IDC).

Neighboring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines see much higher computer use in SMEs, at between 57 percent and 61 percent.

"We want to educate people and give them a chance to use computers correctly," said Budi.

The program is planned to run until Jan. 31 next year. "However, if enough people show interest in this program, we may extend this date," Budi added.

There are three packages on offer with prices ranging from about Rp 3.1 million (US$337) to Rp 4.8 million.

Indonesia's computer penetration is among the lowest in Southeast Asia. Latest data estimates show that at present, only some 4 percent of the country's population of 220 million have access to computers.

The Indonesian Computer Business Association (Apkomindo) in April also designed a similar program, called the PC Ownership Initiative (PCOI), which provided computers with a price tag of Rp 2 million.

The association achieved the low prices by getting its members to channel a portion of their annual promotion budgets into the program. PCOI hit a snag as not enough funds came in and suppliers feared that the program would distort market prices for computers.

Budi said that although there were concerns that some irresponsible distributors might stock up on the cheap computers to be sold later at a higher price, Intel would not limit the number of packages that distributors could buy.

"If we see irregularities, we'll take action," he said.

Through the "Aku Punya PC" program, customers will also be encouraged to buy original software for their computers. With every purchase of an original Microsoft program, for example, Windows XP Home Edition that costs about $70, customers will be eligible to get the latest printer from Canon for only Rp 175,000.

Indonesia is notorious for pirated goods, including audio compact disks, DVDs, and software. Despite the country's copyright laws, illegal merchandise continues to be sold for between Rp 5,000 and Rp 20,000 a piece, and in full view in side street stalls and big malls.