Rod O'Shea

Intel has a strong tradition of pushing the technology envelop towards the next level and promoting the early adoption of leading edge technology, not least because this will involve the use of its latest silicon chips.

'One recent example is the expansion of mobile computing through the introduction of our Centrino mobile technology,' says Mr. O'Shea. 'The Centrino processor has higher performance and extends battery life. If Intel had not pushed this technology out through a marketing programme, its speed of adoption would have been much lower.

'We have also worked to develop wireless Local Area Networks or 'hotspots'. These are typically located in airports and other public areas and allow you to access the Internet from a laptop or other device without cables. In the region I cover we have around 5,000 such 'hotspots'.

'Intel wants people to have a good experience and works hard on verification to make sure the conditions for 'hotspots' are right. We want people to have an absolutely standard experience and see the development of mobility as highly important. This is a good example of Intel working at its best.'

This conviction dovetails neatly with Mr. O'Shea's faith in broadband as the technology of the future. 'With mobile 'hotspots' users often get their first experience of broadband. And one of my biggest challenges is how to facilitate the greater deployment of broadband Internet access in this region.'

Mr. O'Shea spent five years in the UK successfully promoting the adoption of broadband technology, and hopes to apply that experience to this region.

What he would like to do is to deploy a wireless broadband system is a key metropolitan area. Intel has already done this in St Petersburg in Russia, giving wireless access to high-speed Internet services to several districts.

'We need to get a strong example here,' says the Intel boss. 'Intel can make sure the right infrastructure in installed but we need somebody to take this idea up and view it as an opportunity and not a threat to existing services.'

Meanwhile, Intel is also committed to helping to train local teachers to teach technology in the classroom, and to raise Internet usage in a region with just 3% Net penetration. This will mean growing the number of Intel offices in the region and staffing levels over time.