A story ran by the BBC News reports that Microsoft will be offering an unbelievable low price of $3 for a Microsoft pack to developing countries:
The Microsoft initiative was launched by Bill Gates in Beijing under the banner of its Unlimited Potential scheme, a program aimed at bridging the digital divide.
The scheme aims to bring the benefit of computing technology to the remaining five sixths of the world’s population, who currently live without it.
“Bringing the benefits of technology to the next five billion people will require new products that meet the needs of underserved communities,” said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. One of the first products, that is hoped will reach the next billion people is the Microsoft’s student Innovation Suite.
The package includes Windows XP Starter Edition, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, as well as other educational software.
The $3 package will start to be sold to governments in the second half of 2007.
I believe that this smart business move is more targeted to countries that have high piracy rate in Asia and Eastern Europe. In the Philippines, I think the piracy rate is still around 90%. Will we get our share of the $3 MS goodies?
Update (04/22/07): Inquirer.net reports the Philippines is getting ’em at $3 a pop.