AiTi to develop plan to up broadband service

THE Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AiTi) has enlisted foreign consultants Analysys Mason Limited for the development of a Broadband Strategic Plan to address public concerns about current broadband services in the country. AiTi Assistant Chief Executive of Corporate Strategy Julianah Hj Ali Ahmad revealed this information to The Brunei Times on the sidelines of a signing agreement between AiTi and Analysys Mason Limited yesterday.

"Broadband here has been a big talk in Brunei. The current broadband service in Brunei is a problem because it does not meet what customers want. So that is why we have engaged these consultants to see what best suits requirements of users in Brunei," she said.

Julianah added that the consultants will be looking into addressing the quality of broadband services in Brunei, such as what would be the best speeds and technology for Brunei to use. She explained that Brunei has been using copper cables for (ethernet) lines and this has limited capabilities for developing high speeds. "So we have to replace it with fibre-based network as it provides an almost unlimited bandwidth," said Julianah.

However, as fibre-technology is expensive, Julianah said that the consultants had to advise AiTi on how the government could invest in the technology.

"This fibre-technology is something everyone can have access to and is something we have to make sure of," she said.

Analysys Mason Limited Senior Manager Paul Sumner during his presentation explained that the fixed broadband in Brunei was expensive compared to other countries in the region.

"Brunei's broadband can (accommodate) about one megabit per second downstream. For the same price in countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, they can get 30 megabits per second," he said, adding that the consultants will be looking into how to address the expensive price in Brunei.

In order to have a successful broadband policy, Sumner said that a "virtuous circle" was the key in stimulating supply and demand. He added that the consultants would have seven to eight weeks to work on the plan, which will be completed and presented to AiTi on March 17.

According to AiTi, Brunei is heading towards a knowledge-based economy and it is crucial that AiTi has a platform to support access to highly-developed ICT (info-communication technology) infrastructure, including high-capacity broadband networks. "This means building a robust and future-proof infrastructure that is not only widely accessible to each citizen, but also capable of delivering high-speed bandwidth services to each user," according to a press release from AiTi yesterday.

The main outcomes of the strategic plan will include a general review of the existing broadband policy and strategies, quantification of broadband vision and target settings as well as recommendations on the best modalities for investment in the infrastructure build out, and implementation plan for building the next generation broadband infrastructure.

AiTi recognises that over the last few years, Brunei has witnessed a tremendous growth of broadband users and that broadband is becoming important in all aspects of economic and social lives.

On hand to sign the agreement yesterday were AiTi Chief Executive Pg Hj Mohd Zain Pg Hj Abd Razak, AiTi Assistant Chief Executive of Corporate Strategy Julianah Hj Ali Ahmad, Assistant Chief Executive of Corporate Services Hj Jamaludin Hj Saman, Analysys Mason Limited Senior Manager Paul Sumner and Analysys Mason Limited Consultant Emil Arnell.

The signing, which was held at the AiTi office in Anggerek Desa, was also witnessed by Ministry of Communications' Permanent Secretary and Chairman of AiTi, Hj Alaihuddin POKDG Hj Mohd Taha.The Brunei Times