Each computer purchased through the Knowledge Connecting Network Programme will receive VND1 million (roughly equivalent to 15-20 per cent of the cost of a computer), according to the Ministry of Information and Communication.—File Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— Each computer purchased through the Knowledge Connecting Network Programme will receive VND1 million (roughly equivalent to 15-20 per cent of the cost of a computer), according to the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC).

The programme will especially benefit people living in remote and isolated areas as they will get an additional VND500,000 plus a loan to buy a computer at zero interest for three years.

In addition, each beneficiary will enjoy the lower internet access fee of VND250,000 for one year.

According to MIC, half of the VND9 trillion programme will come from the State budget while the remainder will be made up from businesses operating in the information technology sector.

MIC says that businesses who support the programme will get free nationwide advertising in most of the programme's activities.

According to the draft that was submitted to the Government for approval, another 2.5 million computers supplied by the programme will be connected to the network by 2015.

The number will increase to 7.5 million by 2020, according to the ministry.

The programme's beneficiaries include pupils, students, teachers, professors, trainers, universities and colleges, people living in rural areas and people living in remote and isolated areas.

Anyone who wants to apply to the programme should contact their provincial department of information and communications to find out how to apply and the procedures.

The ministry hopes the draft will be approved within the year. — VNS