|
50x15 FAQ
General Information
Solutions & Strategies
Global Implementation
Get Involved
General Information
What is 50x15?
50x15 is AMD's initiative to enable affordable Internet access and computing capabilities for 50 percent of the world population by the year 2015. With world population estimated to reach 7.2 billion people in 2015, and current Internet penetration approximately 15 percent, there is tremendous potential for 50x15 on a global scale to bring billions of people into the digital age.
50x15 is about empowerment and economic growth. AMD and a growing network of partners are delivering innovative solutions in high-growth markets that empower consumers to lead better lives.
What will the world's population be in 2015?
The United Nations estimates that by 2015 the global population will be approximately 7.2 billion people.
When did AMD launch the 50x15 Initiative?
AMD announced 50x15 during an event at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland in January 2004. The event was attended by business leaders, government representatives and not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing useful technologies to underserved, high-growth markets around the world.
Why did AMD launch the 50x15 Initiative?
As a global technology provider, AMD possesses a keen understanding of the digital disparity that exists in high-growth regions of the world. In 2004, we made a long term commitment to correct this situation by launching the 50x15 initiative. AMD believes that by empowering more of the world's population with access to computing devices and the Internet, regional economic growth will occur and new opportunities will emerge. This approach is built upon incentives and strategies that are not just about goodwill, but also about good business.
Solutions & Strategies
What kinds of technologies will ensure the success of 50x15?
The technologies that people will use to access information and communicate ten years from now will be radically different than what we use today. New technology approaches and platforms are needed to meet the unique requirements and economic limitations of high-growth markets. AMD and its partners are committed to driving this necessary evolution of technology at every level of the ecosystem. The first milestone in delivering new technology to achieve the 50x15 vision is the Personal Internet Communicator (decTOP™). More information on the decTOP™ is available by clicking here.
Does AMD believe technology is the only key to successfully bridging the digital divide?
Technology is a crucial component for any digital inclusion effort, but it is by no means the only one. At the World Economic Forum's 2005 annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the organization's ITAFE (IT Access for Everyone) industry team, of which AMD is a leading member, delivered a groundbreaking "Global Benchmarking Study" that analyzes 50 digital inclusion initiatives from around the world and leverages lessons learned from those efforts to present a new vision for success. This includes a compelling argument that conditions for success of any IT effort must include development of basic infrastructure such as power and connectivity, software, training and support requirements, as well as financing. In laying out its vision, the report vividly illustrates that a reliance on technology alone to drive Internet penetration around the world virtually assures failure.
What specific markets are being targeted?
The initial goal of 50x15 is to enable affordable Internet access and computing capability in high-growth markets such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and Mexico.
What is unique about AMD's 50x15 initiative?
50x15 is not about charity — it is about empowerment through economic growth. We expect that 50x15 will be successful because it is one of the first initiatives of its kind that places an emphasis on long-term business relationships as well as on technology and solutions. Few players in our industry have approached this opportunity with a solid business strategy focused heavily on building close relationships. We believe this is critical to economic success. The value creation is in the relationships forged between infrastructure providers, government institutions and the consumers themselves. The 50x15 business model is a customer-centric approach in which all parties stand to benefit greatly.
Global Implementation
Why aren't you doing anything to reduce the digital divide in the U.S.?
AMD is looking to do all we can to close the digital divide throughout the world. Though we have initially been focused on the high growth markets, we are investigating various ways to bridge the digital divide in rural and low-income areas in the U.S.
Is 50x15 just a for-profit program simply to make money for AMD?
No. We believe we can change the world and make a profit at the same time. 50x15 is a long term commitment backed by every employee at AMD. It is possible to do good will and good business simultaneously. We see technology as a great equalizer and enabler — we believe the next great wave of innovation could come from the fertile mind of a child in a developing country. Our world may never realize this benefit if that child is not provided the basic technology tools needed to unleash her potential to help change the world.
Why is 50x15 designed to enable affordable computing and Internet access?
The benefit derived from connecting a larger share of the world's population to the Internet is profound. The technology people use to connect is important, but is only a means to an end. The solutions used in developed parts of the world simply will not apply in many high-growth markets. These challenging environments will require new ways of thinking, new ways of access, and a vision to overcome traditional obstacles. We will need to consider new types of hardware devices outside standard industry definitions, such as AMD's Personal Internet Communicator (decTOP™). These new devices will be designed specifically to provide basic computing functionality — including Internet access — at prices within reach of a majority of families in high-growth markets, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico.
Are there other companies with initiatives similar to 50x15?
There are a number of companies, including many AMD partners, doing business in high-growth regions employing a strategy similar to 50x15. These include Hewlett Packard, Dupont, Tata in India, and numerous small and mid-sized businesses around the world.
Is 50x15 a government-sponsored program?
AMD does not provide grants to NGOs or other charitable organizations through the 50x15 initiative. We evaluate how to use technology in a way that creates sustainable business models and addresses the challenges we face in bridging the digital divide. If you have a proposal to partner with AMD on a specific project, please send it to amd.50x15@amd.com.
Does AMD give grants to organizations that help bridge the digital divide?
AMD does not provide grants to NGOs or other charitable organizations through the 50x15 initiative. We evaluate how to use technology in a way that creates sustainable business models and addresses the challenges we face in bridging the digital divide. If you have a proposal to partner with AMD on a specific project, please send it to amd.50x15@amd.com.
How exactly will 50x15 contribute to regional economic growth?
The 50x15 business model is a customer-centric approach in which all parties stand to benefit. AMD's vision is that the development of new technologies will help empower people through all kinds of growth — from individual growth and enhanced education to economic growth through infrastructure development and job creation. Products and technologies developed through 50x15 will create economic opportunities by providing access to technology tools for people and driving local job growth in manufacturing and product design, service provision and infrastructure development, and related fields. The value comes from relationships forged between infrastructure providers, government institutions and the consumers themselves.
Do you envision partnering with other companies to develop future products?
50x15 can only be successful if we partner with other companies to develop new technologies and products that enable affordable Internet access in high-growth regions. Our partnerships with Microsoft, Solectron, Seagate, Samsung, and Macromedia were critical to developing the Personal Internet Communicator (decTOP™). Similar partnerships with these and other companies will be necessary to developing future technologies and solutions.
Get Involved
How can I partner with AMD on 50x15?
We evaluate how to use technology in a way that creates sustainable business models and addresses the challenges we face in bridging the digital divide. If you have a proposal to partner with AMD on a specific project, please send it to amd.50x15@amd.com.
One of the challenges in high-growth markets is the lack of communications infrastructure necessary to support widespread access to the Internet. Does 50x15 address this issue?
Currently, the regional service providers we are partnered with must meet minimum infrastructure requirements before they can offer 50x15 technologies or products to consumers. In some cases, we will leverage our ecosystem of partners to help improve infrastructure where possible. In other cases, it will require fresh thinking and new products that do not rely on a wired infrastructure to transfer data.
Literacy goes hand-in-hand with Internet access and will be critical to the success of 50x15. What is AMD doing to address this issue?
Literacy is absolutely key to the success of 50x15. However, the ability to read and write is not a prerequisite for using the Internet. Indeed, the reverse is probably more likely true. Just as teachers have used books to teach reading and writing, educators and people around the world now also use the Internet to do the same. By definition, our 50x15 initiative will serve to help increase literacy in developing regions of the world.
Is 50x15 another way of describing the Personal Internet Communicator (decTOP™)?
No. The Personal Internet Communicator (decTOP™) is a technology solution developed as part of AMD's 50x15 initiative. 50x15 is an AMD company-wide effort that seeks to develop new technologies to enable 50 percent of the world's population with Internet access by the year 2015. In the process, we seek to create new economic opportunities for everyone involved.
I would like more information on how to purchase the decTOP™ in my country/region.
Please send an email with your question to pic.info@amd.com.
I would like more information on how to distribute the decTOP™ in my country/region.
Please send an email with your question to pic.info@amd.com.
|