Microsoft aims to double PC ownership to 2 billion

In one of a series of initiatives aimed at emerging markets, Microsoft plans to double the numbers of PCs owned globally by 2015.

The company has announced plans to charge governments in developing countries just three dollars for copies of Windows and Office as long as the software is installed on computers for schoolchildren.

The move will promote the Windows brand and should also reduce the amount of unlicensed software in use in undeveloped countries, where piracy is a significant problem.

Microsoft’s plan opens opportunities for collaboration with the One Laptop Per Child project and Intel’s World Ahead Program.

Separately, Microsoft has also announced that it is joining with Lenovo to undergo joint research at Lenovo’s Beijing lab. The joint venture plans to double the number of global training centres to 200 by 2009.

Microsoft is also planning to build a Web portal for training prospective Indian IT workers and is forming public-private partnerships to help governments in five developing countries improve public services through technology.

The initiative comes as Linux makes strides in the developing world, not least because Linux is free open source software - a key selling point in countries unable to pay Western prices for IT.

At present Microsoft could lose key national markets and hence the recent moves - but it remains to be seen if it can pay off. While $3 per install may sound cheap, this can soon add up into significant bills for education programs which are often dependent on aid as it is.