RABAT (WiMAX Day). Intel is spearheading digital-divide-crossing projects in Morocco aimed at improving access to the Internet. WiMAX is part of the technology mix. The projects were announced earlier this month by Intel chairman Craig Barrett, in a two-day visit to the North African nation. The two days concluded Barrett’s African portion of a worldwide “Expanding What’s Possible” tour focused on accessibility and education.

The Morocco projects include partnering with the country’s Department of Telecommunications and Information Technology to provide public Internet access centers, and with the Ministry of Education to train teachers and donate computers to schools.

Intel and Morocco’s Ministry of ICT have installed a new WiMAX network at Saad Ibn Abi Al Ouakass School. The technology is viewed as a cost-effective way to deliver high-speed Internet access.

Intel also has trained 4,500 teachers in Morocco. Intel aims to train 25,000 by the end of next year through its Intel Teach program. Also, there are 1,000 Intel-powered Classmate PCs targeted for primary schools over the next few years. The Classmate laptops support project-based learning by enabling teachers to share information and student work with their classes.

The government, meanwhile, intends to build a national network of Al Morchid “e-spaces” for high-speed Internet access. Morocco is one of a few countries in Africa to offer government services such as custom clearance and tax declarations entirely on-line. Other participants in the e-space initiative include local telecom operator Meditel, which is providing Internet connectivity; Post Maroc, a state-owned mail service provider; and Nortis, a telecom company.