New technology not an overnight process

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei’s rank in the international benchmarking on ICT readiness in 2012 has improved to the 54th position out of 142 countries, compared to 57th place the previous year, the Minister of Communications revealed yesterday at the launching of TelBru’s High Speed Broadband (HSBB) campaign at The Times Square Shopping Centre, Borneo Bulletin reported.

Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar said contributing to Brunei’s improvement in the Networked Readiness Index 2012 (NRI 2012) report is progress made in the environment sub-index, which focuses on conducive ICT and technology uptake; and the usage sub-index as driven by individuals, business and government usage.

He said the NRI 2012 also highlighted areas for improvements in readiness, which considers infrastructure, affordability and skills as well as impact, which looks into economic and social impacts accruing from ICT.

The minister also shared some recent developments in the Ministry of Communications’ policy strategies towards a sophisticated society. The ministry also hopes to enjoy the new technology offered by the latest Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) project announced by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam last year.

“With the growing usage of mobile broadband and emergence of new technologies such as 4G and Long Term Evolution (LTE), FTTH will be complemented by these wireless technologies to enable a nation-wide high-speed broadband connectivity.”

A nationwide deployment in any form of new technology is not an overnight process, Pehin Dato Haji Abdullah said and will be implemented in gradual phases as it requires thorough planning and consideration.

“At this stage, the Ministry of Communications and AiTi have been in close reference to regional and international best practices in terms of implementation and industry restructuring models, which will be customised to our local environment and market size.

“By the end of the five-year roll out period, this nationwide deployment will hope to address issues such as accessibility, quality of services, affordability and industry as well as economic development as FTTH will spur spin-offs such as growth in creative, multimedia and innovative content industry, various skills enhancement and new job creations,” the minister said.