PUBLISHER: BuddeComm | PRODUCT CODE: 1045259
PUBLISHER: BuddeComm | PRODUCT CODE: 1045259
Brunei Darussalam - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses
Brunei's fixed-line telecom markets blossom while mobile languishes
Brunei Darussalam seemed poised to start its economic recovery from the double blow it received to its GDP in 2020 from the Covid-19 crisis and a global slump in oil prices. However, expectations may have been dashed by the sudden emergence of the Covid-19 Delta variant in the country in August 2021, which followed months of zero cases. Brunei's mobile market had already experienced a sharp drop-off in subscriber numbers in 2020, which must have put a serious dent in the overall telecom sector's revenues. A further prolonged shutdown to try and regain control over the Covid-19 situation can only exacerbate the challenges for the sector, as it looks ahead to a new start in 2022 with more concerted efforts to build out the fixed-line infrastructure while also progressing towards introducing 5G mobile services.
Brunei's fixed-line market is one of the few countries in the world to have displayed significant growth rather than a decline in teledensity in the last few years. This upward trend is set to continue as the new Unified National Network (UNN) works diligently to expand and enhance the fixed-line infrastructure around the country. Strong growth was also seen in the fixed broadband space, on the back of those same infrastructure developments that are part of the Brunei Vision 2035 initiative. That being said, fixed broadband penetration is starting from a relatively low base by international standards and is still only at 18%, leaving lots of room for growth.
Mobile and mobile broadband, on the other hand, are still suffering from the market contractions first felt in 2020. However, penetration rates for both segments were already extremely high so the decline may simply be a reflection of those users with services that were purely discretionary rather than being an indicator of any broader malaise in the sector.
This report includes the regulator's market data to June 2021, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, and other recent market developments.
Key developments:
- Bucking global trends, Brunei increases fixed-line teledensity and fixed broadband penetration while dropping back on mobile and mobile broadband.
- The first of five Proof of Concept 5G projects is unveiled, aiming to increase awareness about the benefits of 5G.
- Brunei's 2G GSM network is shut down, with the spectrum to be reallocated to 3G, 4G, and potentially 5G use.
- Imagine joins DSTCom and Progresif to become the third operator in Brunei's mobile market.
- The Unified National Network (UNN) launches a co-location service at its Tier 2 data centre.
- DST launches two new e-commerce solutions: DSTPay and the Zakat Fitrah Online Payment Service.
Companies mentioned in this report:
Imagine (Telekom Brunei/TelBru), DST/DSTCom, Progresif (B-Mobile).
Table of Contents
Key statistics
Regional Asia Market Comparison
- Market characteristics
- Market Leaders
- Market Challengers
- Market Emergents
- TMI vs GDP
- Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
- Fixed versus mobile broadband penetration
Country overview
Covid-19 and its impact on the telecom sector
- Economic considerations and responses
- Subscribers
- Infrastructure
Telecommunications market
Regulatory environment
- Regulatory authority
- Telecom sector liberalisation
- Regulatory developments
- Licensing
- Mobile spectrum management
Mobile market
- Major mobile operators
- Mobile broadband
Fixed-line broadband market
- Brunei International Gateway (BIG)
- High Speed Broadband (HSBB)
- Wi-Fi
Fixed network market
- Major network operators
- Imagine (Telekom Brunei/TelBru)
- DST Group
- Progresif (Progresif Cellular/B-Mobile)
Telecommunications infrastructure
- National telecom network
- United National Network (UNN)
- International infrastructure
- Trans-Borneo Optical Cable Network
- Submarine cable networks
- Satellite networks
- Data centres
- Smart infrastructure
Digital economy
- E-commerce
- E-government
- Brunei National Computer Emergency Response Team
- ICT Rural Outreach Program (iROP)
Appendix - Historic data
Glossary of abbreviations
Related reports
List of Tables
- Table 1 - Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities - Brunei - 2021 (e)
- Table 2 - Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration - 2011 - 2026
- Table 3 - Change in the number of prepaid and contract subscribers - 2012 - 2021
- Table 4 - Change in the market share of prepaid and contract subscribers - 2012 - 2021
- Table 5 - Change in the number of mobile subscribers by operator - 2011 - 2019
- Table 6 - Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator - 2011 - 2019
- Table 7 - Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration - 2011 - 2026
- Table 8 - Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration - 2011 - 2026
- Table 9 - Change in the number of DSL subscribers - 2015 - 2019
- Table 10 - Change in the number of fibre subscribers - 2014 - 2019
- Table 11 - Change in the number of fixed lines and teledensity - 2011 - 2026
- Table 12 - Historic - DSTCom mobile subscribers - 1999 - 2010
- Table 13 - Historic - Progresif - mobile subscribers - 2005 - 2010
- Table 14 - Historic - Share of mobile market share by subscribers - 2005 - 2010
- Table 15 - Historic - International internet bandwidth - 1999 - 2010
List of Charts
- Chart 1 - Asia Telecoms Maturity Index - Market Leaders
- Chart 2 - Asia Telecoms Maturity Index - Market Challengers
- Chart 3 - Asia Telecoms Maturity Index - Market Emergents
- Chart 4 - Asia - Telecoms Maturity Index vs GDP per capita
- Chart 5 - Asia - Mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
- Chart 6 - South East Asia - Mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
- Chart 7 - South East Asia - Fixed and mobile broadband penetration
- Chart 8 - Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration - 2011 - 2026
- Chart 9 - Change in the number of prepaid and contract subscribers - 2012 - 2021
- Chart 10 - Change in the market share of prepaid and contract subscribers - 2012 - 2021
- Chart 11 - Change in the number of mobile subscribers by operator - 2011 - 2019
- Chart 12 - Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator - 2011 - 2019
- Chart 13 - Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration - 2011 - 2026
- Chart 14 - Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration - 2011 - 2026
- Chart 15 - Change in the number of DSL subscribers - 2015 - 2019
- Chart 16 - Change in the number of fibre subscribers - 2014 - 2019
- Chart 17 - Change in the number of fixed lines and teledensity - 2011 - 2026
List of Exhibits
- Exhibit 1 - Map of Telecom Maturity Index global ranking among countries in Asia
- Exhibit 2 - Generalised Market Characteristics by Market Segment
- Exhibit 3 - Asia - Market Leaders and market developments
- Exhibit 4 - Asia - Market Challengers and market developments
- Exhibit 5 - Asia - Market Emergents and market developments
- Exhibit 6 - Major submarine cables with landing points in Brunei
