Speech By
Abdul Mutalib Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia
Dato Paduka Haji Mohdyusof
Acting Permanent Secretary
Ministry Of Communications
Negara Brunei Darussalam
On
Saturday, 3rd November 2012 (8:00pm)
Haji Ibrahim, Chairman of BMobile Communications Sdn Bhd
Mr See Wei Kee, Acting CEO BMobile Communications Sdn Bhd
Board members, management and officers of BMobile Communications Sdn Bhd,
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, a very good evening to you all.
1. First
of all, I would like to thank BMobile Communications Sdn Bhd for
inviting me to the opening of BMobile headquarters tonight. It is a
very significant milestone for BMobile Communications history. So
congratulations Bmobile!
2. Since
starting its operation about 7 years ago some time in 2005, we have seen
BMobile Communications taking various initiatives in strengthening your
position in the ICT industry. We have seen your promotions on new
mobile services and packages for the public. We have also seen the
company embarking on various social programs to cater the demands and
needs of the public. It must have been a very challenging 7 years and I
look forward to seeing a more vibrant journey with Bmobile
Communications.
Ladies and gentlemen,
3. Recently,
the Minister of Communications has been going out to the other
districts. I’d like to share with you some of our findings and
observations during the work visits, particularly those relevant to our
mobile service providers:-
i. First, connectivity and coverage of basic mobile communication services are minimal in some rural areas;
ii. Second,
we acknowledge the fact that it would be commercially and
environmentally challenging for any mobile communication service
provider to set up such services; and
iii. Third,
availability of competition from other outside service providers or the
mobile communications coverage spillover issues.
4. Connectivity
and coverage of ICT services in rural areas are found to be minimal.
It has come to our attention that users in certain areas, are
experiencing difficulty in accessing mobile networks. In some places,
coverage is almost non-existent. As a result, competition from external
sources has become more apparent in some of these places and this has
caused inconveniences to our users.
5. We
realize that it is quite challenging to provide maximum coverage at
rural areas. I believe our service operators have given their best
efforts to ensure services are easily accessible throughout the
country. However, the issues of commercial viability and geographical
terrain are among the obstacles in providing these services.
6. Despite
these challenges, the Ministry of Communications prioritises the
importance of ensuring mobile phone and Internet services are available
widely. Our dependence on ICT for both professional and personal needs
cannot be denied. Hence, the Ministry of Communications, through the
Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei
Darussalam (AITI) will continue to facilitate the process of
constructing and operating mobile phone towers in Brunei Darussalam. In
this regard, AITI has the Code of Practice on Development of
Telecommunications Tower. This Code of Practice will provide direction
to operators in planning network expansion rollout. This direction will
also cover the need to protect protecting public health and safety as
well as minimizing environmental impact of telecommunications network
rollout.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
7. Let
me now share with you The Ministry’s vision of realizing a
Sophisticated Society in Brunei Darussalam by 2017. Now, what exactly
is a Sophisticated Society? This is the society where its members are
able to exploit technology to increase the quality of their lives. It
is also when society can afford to own the product and services of their
choice. On the supply side, a sophisticated society will be catered
with variety of innovative products and services. As a result,
transactions are easier, faster and effective. I am sure the players
of our ICT industry are able to contribute in realizing this vision.
8. Thanks
to the initiatives of our local ICT players, we are now well on our way
to this vision. Our mobile phone penetration has exceeded 100% since
2008 and is currently reaching 120% as we speak. According to an ITU
2011 Report, Brunei Darussalam is in the world’s top 20 of the active
mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants .
9. Yes
these figures are very encouraging, but they are not to be complacent
with. Mobile service providers are now facing challenges from services
using new web-based platforms. They can no longer rely on conventional
SMS/MMS services to strengthen their revenue stream. Ovum forecasts
that by 2016 operators will have lost $54bn in SMS revenues due to the
increasing popularity of social messaging services on smartphones. This
estimate is more than double the $23bn they are expected to have lost
by the end of 2012 . Services such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook
chats are clearly a threat to mobile service providers but these are
exciting platforms for the users. This trends and consumer patterns
certainly call for new approaches and strategies for our service
providers to embark on.
10. We
foresee that the demand for ICT services, content and applications will
continue to increase. In line with such growth, the Government of His
Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam prioritises
ICT development as one of the key sectors in realising our National
Vision 2035. On 15th July 2012 this year, His Majesty the Sultan and
Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to a budget of
B$230million for the Ministry of Communications to implement a
nationwide broadband initiative through Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH).
11. With
this development, the Ministry of Communications has identified steps
and initiatives to support the implementation of FTTH in Brunei
Darussalam. These initiatives will also ensure a more sustainable and
vibrant ICT industry in Brunei Darussalam. FTTH will give us returns in
terms of opening new opportunities for economic activity to enhance our
nation’s competitiveness. One of the key critical success factors to
achieve this return is through effective usage. To drive usage, we need
content. We need enriched content offered in various packages
available widely at affordable prices.
12. This
is where operators such as BMobile can come in. The potentials of FTTH
are limitless. It is up to service providers to unleash their
creativity and innovations through such platforms. With FTTH, the
Ministry of Communications hopes to strengthen the sustainability of the
ICT industry. Hence, we would rely on our local players, such as
BMobile to keep our local ICT landscape vibrant and dynamic with your
new products and services. I am confident of the capabilities of our
local ICT players and we can certainly look forward to what they can
offer to the industry in the near future.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
13.
To conclude, once again I wish to congratulate Bmobile Communications
on the opening of their headquarters tonight. I am sure there are
exciting activities planned in conjunction with the launching. I wish
you all the best for your plans. My heartiest congratulation also goes
to the organizing committee of this event. The success of this event
would not have been possible without your dedication.
[1] www.aiti.gov.bn
[2] http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/facts/2011/index.html
[3] http://ovum.com/press_releases/ovum-figures-indicate-that-operators-will-lose-54bn-by-2016-due-to-smartphone-messaging-apps/ , October 11, 2012
