AMD recently unveiled a plan that aims to expand Internet access in developing nations such as India and China. The semiconductor maker has designed a low-cost, lightweight device that provides users with Internet access and other basic PC functions.

 

The Personal Internet Communicator will cost less than many value-line PCs: US$185 without a monitor, or US$249 with a monitor. AMD executives are calling the project "50x15," which reflects their goal to raise the percentage of the world's population that is connected to the Internet from 10% to 50% by 2015. AMD was able to pursue the 50x15 project largely due to its procurement of an inexpensive line of chips from National Semiconductor that use only one watt of power. AMD has also partnered with Microsoft to develop the operating system for the device.

 

AMD has indicated that it does not intend to market the Personal Internet Communicator, but rather hopes to distribute the device through phone companies and internet-service providers who will then sell it under their own brand. AMD's expected revenue from device chips is around US$30 per unit, plus an undisclosed amount of royalty fees.