Developing Shandong's IT market

Intel, Haier and Netcom have agreed to jointly develop IT markets in the rural areas of Shandong province. Intel and Haier announced a program to enable each family in Shandong to own a computer, while Haier and Shandong Netcom Co said they would accelerate Internet use, according to Asia Pulse. Haier, the China Merchants Bank, Netcom and rural credit cooperatives would help underwrite the program. PC penetration rate in Shandong is 7% and Internet use is below 10%, compared to Beijing's 70% PC penetration rate and 28% Internet usage rate.