Rural PC Project Releases Survey Results

The Rural PC Project, a joint partnership between NTCA, CSSA, and Microsoft, is attempting to increase broadband adoption by providing affordable and reliable laptops to rural consumers.

NTCA and CSSA are acting as program administrators, aggregating computer purchases to achieve lower per unit cost, while Microsoft has assisted with strategic planning support. Participating member telcos are able to offer the computers to their customer base on their own individual terms.

The Rural PC Project is currently conducting a pilot program with a handful of rural telcos. To date, more than 150 laptops have been shipped, including 25 netbooks.

Dickey Rural Networks (DRN) in Ellendale, N.D., is one of the pilot sites. The telco’s strategy, based upon the cell phone model, is to offer laptops to its customers for an upfront fee, as long as the customer signs a two-year broadband agreement. DRN also targeted its dialup customers, hoping to get them to upgrade to a broadband package.

The telco has experienced early success with the program, distributing more than 75 PCs to date, and DRN recently surveyed program participants. The results are encouraging.

• 41% of respondents indicated that it was their first computer.
• The computer received a 95% satisfaction rating.
• 76% of respondents indicated that they will be more likely to purchase other technology and services from DRN in the future.

View DRN’s survey results.
Visit the Web site to learn more.

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