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8 Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2020
FOREWORD
This is aligned with the policy priorities of the
Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications
in the upcoming years; amongst others - Digital
Transformation; Ensuring Sustainability of
Transport and Infocommunications sectors; Safety
Standards in Transport and Infocommunications
sectors; Policy and Regulatory Framework
Conducive to Investment and Businesses;
Organisational Transformation; and Enhancing
International Cooperation.
With the growing significance of new
technological advancements, Alhamdullillah,
the Digital Economy Council (DEC) has been
established to provide steer and leadership on
initiatives related to digital economy. This is in line
with the titah of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum
Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi
Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalamwhich emphasised the need to explore
the potential of digital economy. Therefore, the
establishment of the DEC is to achieve the vision
of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
propelling Brunei Darussalam towards the status
of a Smart Nation.
The ministry is currently engaging relevant
stakeholders to align respective initiatives
and plans on digital transformation. This
consultative approach aims to ensure that digital
transformation is highlighted as a key strategy
supporting the progress of various economic
sectors and activities.
These transformation strategies also include
the restructuring of the ICT sector with the
consolidation of ICT infrastructures under
one wholesale network operator, the Unified
National Networks (UNN) Pte Ltd which is
100 per cent owned by the government as a
government-linked company under Darussalam
Assets (DA) Pte Ltd. Co-steered by the Ministry
of Finance and Economy, and the Ministry of
Transport and Infocommunications, this ICT
industry restructuring initiative amongst others,
aims to achieve cost effectiveness and efficiency
by avoiding any duplication in infrastructural
investment. This exercise is also intended to
widen infrastructural coverage in the country
and providing the platform for growth of
innovative services provided competitively by
our service providers.
As highlighted by His Majesty the Sultan and
Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam in
His Majesty’s titah during the opening session of
the 16th Legislative Council, 2020; this represents
one of the significant achievements that took
place in 2019 contributing to the development
of our country. It is hoped that this will further
spur more initiatives and projects towards the
diversification of the nation’s economy.
The restructuring exercise marks a significant
milestone that correlates very well with the high
usage of broadband services in Brunei Darussalam
that has been growing steadily since 2015. The
mobile broadband penetration has surpassed 100
per cent in 2016 and by 2019, it has reached 130 per
cent. With the evolution of infocommunications
technology and the fast adoption of these
technologies in Brunei Darussalam, around 70
per cent to 99 per cent of the population are now
covered by 3G and 4G networks. The quality of
mobile broadband services has further improved
with the availability of 4G+ services at several
locations. Alhamdulillah, we have laid out the
fundamental blocks in taking Brunei Darussalam
to the status of a Smart Nation, especially with
We are now in the digital era and fast moving towards the Fourth Industrial
Revolution. Our lives are intertwined with technological changes brought
about by digital transformation and innovation. In line with these changes,
transformation strategies in the ICT sector of Brunei Darussalam are
carried out to spur innovation, competition as well as employment and
business opportunities.