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This initiative is an open invitation to all companies nationwide, regardless of their industry, to donate to the Chilenter Foundation computers that are no longer in use to give them a second life and thus benefit thousands of students with less access to this type of device. During the activity, WOM delivered the first donation of 100 computers.
February 20th 2024 – The Undersecretary of Telecommunications (Subtel) participated in the signing of a collaboration agreement between the Chilenter Foundation and WOM Chile, in which they agreed to collect more than 3 thousand unused computers for refurbishment. This alliance is part of the initiatives promoted by Subtel to continue reducing the digital divide that exists in Chile and WOM’s commitment to bring more and better access to connectivity throughout the country. During the activity, Chris Bannister, CEO of WOM Chile, announced the first donation of 100 computers, which will be recovered by Fundación Chilenter thanks to the recycling process of different parts, giving them a second useful life.
“Every day the need to be inserted in the digital world becomes more latent and in educational terms, we have seen how the tools of digital connectivity contribute positively to the learning process, also allowing to level the playing field in terms of access to knowledge. As Undersecretary we highlight the effort being made to ensure access to digital connectivity, through the delivery of computers to students in different regions of the country. All these collaborative initiatives allow us to advance in our goal, to close the digital divide”, said the Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Claudio Araya San Martín.
Once the computers are ready for use, they will be destined by Chilenter to students through educational organizations throughout the country, helping to bridge the digital divide. In addition, some of these educational establishments will receive free connectivity through WOM’s “Connected Schools” program -in 2023 alone more than 100 schools were benefited, impacting more than 42 thousand students-.
“Through this initiative we are calling on all companies, regardless of their industry, to donate their unused equipment. We all have the opportunity to change the life of at least one person, and if we join together, we can change the lives of many more. We want access to knowledge to be available to everyone, but for connectivity to have an impact on society it is necessary to have devices, this is the path that will allow us to further reduce digital barriers and connect the disconnected” said Chris Bannister, CEO of WOM Chile during the activity.
This alliance not only has a social impact, but also an environmental one, since through the recovery of three thousand computers, nearly 6,600 kilos of e-Waste are being reused. The recycling of other electronic equipment such as servers, switches, tablets, cell phones, HUBs, routers, telephone exchanges, signal repeaters, firewalls and access points is also encouraged.
“We are happy with the alliance we are signing today with WOM, which will allow us not only to fight the digital divide in rural areas by providing computers and connectivity, but also allows us to continue demonstrating that when all actors, public and private, coordinate and work together, the Circular Economy works and is sustainable, and not only that, but we also generate environmental and social impact,” said Matías González Pacheco, Executive Director of the Chilenter Foundation.
It is worth mentioning that WOM will be channeling the help through the e-mail
