Stone partners with Microsoft in new digital inclusion scheme
12 January 2012
Microsoft draws on the refurbishment
expertise of Stone to back scheme to improve internet accessibility
in UK homes
Microsoft® has partnered with ICT services provider, Stone, the
UK's largest privately-owned computer hardware manufacturer, to
provide refurbished, affordable desktop PCs and laptops for the Get
Online @ Home scheme - an affordable mechanism for homes across the
UK to easily purchase a low-cost internet connectivity package.
The Microsoft®-backed Get Online @ Home package includes, at
costs far lower than those available on the high street, an
internet-ready refurbished desktop PC or laptop - with refurbished
hardware and peripherals such as keyboards and laptops being
provided by Stone - broadband internet access, training and ongoing
technical support.
Stone became an official partner of the scheme in January 2012
and has been selected due to its impressive track record in the
provision of reliable refurbished hardware. Over the last twelve
months, 26,000 of Stone's units have been recovered and refurbished
for a 'second life' in the supply chain. Those that cannot be
refurbished are broken down to their raw materials in Stone's own
on-site Environment Agency-approved Authorised Treatment Centre and
redistributed back into the supply chain.
James Bird, CEO at Stone, comments, "There has been plenty of
research and media interest to date into what is being labelled as
a 'Digital Divide' in the UK - too high a proportion of the UK
population still lack the internet access that many take for
granted. Being part of this scheme allows us to help bridge this
gap by providing low-cost, reliable and fully supported refurbished
hardware, with full internet readiness, to people who would have
otherwise been unable to afford it. It's a highly worthy scheme and
being chosen is a great, but happy, responsibility."
