Three Chinese firms vie to supply tablets
- Published: 30/01/2012 at 08:24 AM
- Newspaper section: Business
The Thai government expects to sign an agreement with the Chinese government next month to buy 900,000 tablet computers worth 2.2 billion baht.
Getting ready for some serious swiping and tapping to the right websites. PATIPAT JANTHONG
Under the purchase agreement, the three prospective Chinese tablet manufacturers _ ZTE, Huawei and Lenovo _ are likely to supply a combined 900,000 tablets at US$75 per unit to the Thai government, said a source at the Office of the Basic Education Commission.
At the equivalent of 2,340 baht, the price was well below the government's target price of 3,400 baht per unit, he said.
The plan to give tablet computers to all schoolchildren was one of the most high-profile election promises of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
Authorities have approved a budget of 1.9 billion baht to purchase 900,000 tablets to be distributed to 800,000 primary-school students, plus 100,000 more for Prathom 4 students nationwide.
Additional funds as required would be reimbursed from the government's fiscal budget, the source said.
The One Tablet Per Child project could cost as much as 33 billion baht if the government wants to give tablets to all secondary-school students.
The official said that the government, through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, had submitted a proposal to the Chinese government, which had agreed to select one tablet supplier.
The suppliers must have international brand reputation and proven capacity for tablet production. They must also provide after-sales service for two years.
The specifications call for a WiFi-enabled tablet with a seven-inch screen and storage capacity of 8-16 gigabytes.
Once the memorandum of understanding is signed, the official said the the Chinese government would need to deliver at least 1,000 prototype tablets for testing before the supplier starts full production.
The tablet programme has prompted widespread debate, with critics saying the lack of suitable educational content was the main drawback at the moment. Others question whether schools or parents will be able to monitor children's use of the devices and prevent the use of inappropriate content.
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About the author
- Writer: Suchit Leesa-nguansuk
- Position: Reporter
