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ICT
Embracing digital change
Izah Azahari
Photo by Rahwani Zahari
Embracing change is something that may be
challenging to organisations or even individ-
uals, but without change an entity may not be
able to grasp future opportunities and gain an
edge against competitors. In an increasingly
digital world, the demand for data-driven
growth will soon make existing infrastructure
and capabilities obsolete. Hence, it is critical
for Brunei to upgrade its digital infrastructure
to meet this challenge.
Since 2019, the Ministry of Transport and
Infocommunications (MTIC) and the Author-
ity for Info-Communications Technology In-
dustry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) have been
working together with Darussalam Assets
and telecommunication companies (telcos),
to execute a wholesale-retail transformation
in placing Brunei among the digital leaders in
the region.
As a result, Brunei consumers and busi-
nesses will benefit from faster speed, wider
coverage and better choices, at more afford-
able prices. Realising the digital transforma-
tion agenda, such as achieving ‘Smart Na-
tion, Smart City, Smart Home, Smart Society’
through this public-private partnership, is
part of the whole of the national approach
towards accomplishing Brunei Vision 2035.
With this in mind, Unified National Net-
works Sdn Bhd (UNN) was established in De-
cember 2018 to work with telcos to combine
their fixed and mobile networks, to be more
resilient, and to provide better service quality
in the short term, leading to a best-in-class
high-speed broadband network for the future
as the new entity operating, modernising and
owning Brunei’s consolidated telecommuni-
cation network infrastructure.
As an organisation wholly owned by
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sul-
tan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi
Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Bru-
nei Darussalam’s Government, UNN works
similarly to other telecommunication com-
panies, in which it is recognised as a gov-
In light of the pandemic, further utilisation of ICT
through the use of an artificial intelligence-powered
web application
www.healthinfo.gov.bnwas also
made towards the end of March to further aid the
MoH in combatting the spread of COVID-19.
Begawan as part of the national strategy to
provide better telecommunications services
for the people of Brunei, while encouraging
the development of ICT in the country.
DST, Progresif and TelBru have since
launched their respective retail service
providers; Datastream Digital Sdn Bhd
(Datastream Digital), Progresif Sdn Bhd (Pro-
gresif) and Imagine Sdn Bhd (imagine). All re-
tail service providers will focus solely on retail
operations with equal access to the network
infrastructure provided by UNN.
In light of the pandemic, further utilisa-
tion of ICT through the use of an artificial
intelligence-powered web application www.
healthinfo.gov.bnwas also made towards
the end of March to further aid the Ministry
of Health (MoH) in combatting the spread of
COVID-19 in Brunei Darussalam.
ernment-linked company (GLC) under Dar-
ussalam Assets Sdn Bhd, the shareholder of
UNN.
As part of the wider transformation pro-
gramme of Brunei information and commu-
nications technology (ICT) sector, UNN’s se-
nior management team was recruited from
Deutsche Telekom Group, UNN’s technical
partner, to spearhead the company before
handing it over to a fully Bruneian manage-
ment team within five years.
The networks were consolidated and
transferred to UNN by the end of 2019. Cou-
pled with investment in systems, technology
and added spectrum, this will facilitate the
transformation of the telcos to Salescos, with
equal access to 4G networks and fibre-to-the-
home broadband services, where UNN’s pri-
ority is to build a nationwide state-of-the-art,
5G-ready, fixed-mobile convergent whole-
sale network for Salescos to provide more
innovative, faster and cheaper products and
services on a retail basis to individuals and
corporate customers.
As of September 1, 2019, UNN took over
the responsibilities in operating the entire
telecommunications network infrastructure
in Brunei, following the transfer of infrastruc-
ture assets from all three telecommunications
companies, which was further established
during the handover through the exchange
of keys in signifying the transfer of Telekom
Brunei Berhad’s (TelBru) infrastructure as-
sets to UNN in ceremony held at the TelBru
Sumbiling Telephone House in Bandar Seri
Borneo Bulletin, Wednesday July 15, 2020
Royal Birthday SPECIAL