13 March 2024 - In September 2019, Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN) began initiatives to further modernize and expand the country’s aging telecommunications network infrastructure. To improve customer experience and support applications requiring higher data throughputs and very low latency, UNN has committed to increase the adoption of fibre optic technology through a planned 5-year program of modernizing infrastructure and equipment and migrate legacy connections from copper to fibre optics.
Brunei Darussalam’s telecommunications network infrastructure was previously constructed using copper cables to deliver voice and later, broadband services to fixed service customers. Over time, these copper cables became vulnerable to damage, primarily due to corrosion, resulting in latency and connectivity issues. Copper cables became easy target for thieves interested in illegal profit, which inadvertently disrupted daily communications for customers. While fibre cable rollout began in Brunei more than 20 years ago, the usage of fibre for broadband access started in 2010.
Fibre optic technology is now the mainstay of the Brunei national backhaul network comprising more than 6,000km of fibre optics on which UNN was able to implement cost-efficient and highly resilient telecommunications network infrastructure. These initiatives help deliver better experiences for fibre-based broadband customers to enjoy higher data throughputs and lower latency.
To-date, more than 92% of Brunei’s populated areas is fiberized. Recent additions between 2023 and early 2024 include areas in and around Sungai Teraban, Kuala Balai, Labi, Kampong Ayer Bolkiah A and B, Merangking, Menunggol, Bukit, Long Mayan and Teraja. In progress are Pemadang, Ra’an, Rambai and Merimbun which are expected to be completed by April 2024.
Source: https://unn.com.bn/services-ftth-coverage-area
The demands for higher throughputs and lower latency by fixed broadband customers and enhanced customer experiences are key drivers and underpins the necessity for copper-based services to now be migrated to fibre optic technology and bring about the imminent discontinuation of copper connections by July 2024.
In July 2022, collaborative efforts from Datastream Digital (DST), imagine, Progresif and UNN kickstarted the copper-to-fibre migration program which targeted fixed service customers still connected by copper. This program would see copper-based customers migrate in phases to fibre optic cable, ensure customers are well-informed and appropriate measures are taken to minimize inconvenience and service interruptions. This is a crucial and critical step towards Brunei realizing its vision for Wawasan 2035 and catalyzing the country towards achieving Smart Nation status.
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