Bill Gates intrigued by Estonian plan for state to act as 'provider'

Microsoft chief Bill Gates has expressed interest in a suggestion of Estonia's economic minister, Mezlis Atonen, to create a system that would allow Estonians access to computer services at reasonable rates with the government as provider.

According to the press service of the Economics Ministry here, a meeting was held Tuesday in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, between Gates and representatives of eight governments of Eastern Europe. Atonen proposed his idea there, arguing that the plan would reduce dependence on pirated services and make possible reaching Estonia's goal of putting 'The Whole Country on the Internet..' Gates liked the idea and promised that Microsoft would help.