Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd
| State-owned private limited company | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded 📆 | 4 December 2018[1] |
| Founder 👔 | |
Area served 🗺️ | Brunei Darussalam |
Key people | Christopher Phan (Acting Chief Executive Officer, September 2026)[2] |
| Services |
|
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| Parent | Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd[3] |
| 🌐 Website | unn |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN) is a Bruneian state-owned telecommunications infrastructure company headquartered in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. It operates as the country's national wholesale telecommunications network provider, supplying fixed and mobile network infrastructure, fibre-optic connectivity, data transmission and related digital infrastructure services to telecommunications service providers and other customers.[1][4]
Established on 4 December 2018, UNN took over the telecommunications network infrastructure previously operated by Telekom Brunei (TelBru), Datastream Technology (DST), Progresif and Brunei International Gateway (BIG) on 1 September 2019. The consolidation established a national wholesale network model in which UNN manages the underlying telecommunications infrastructure while retail service providers compete in the consumer market.[1][5][6]
UNN is wholly owned by the Government of Brunei Darussalam and is recognised as a government-linked company under Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd.[1][3] It is responsible for the infrastructure supporting the country's fixed broadband, mobile telecommunications and international connectivity services.
History
Background
The development of telecommunications infrastructure in Brunei predates the establishment of UNN. The country's telecommunications administration originated with Jabatan Telekom Brunei (JTB), which was established as a government department in 1952 to develop and operate telecommunications systems and infrastructure.[7]
Mobile communications were introduced in Brunei in 1989 using the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS). In 1995, DST introduced Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), followed by third-generation (3G) services in 2005 and fourth-generation (4G) services in 2014.[8]
Before the establishment of UNN, Brunei's telecommunications industry operated under a vertically integrated structure. TelBru was the principal fixed-line telecommunications provider, while DST and Progresif operated mobile telecommunications services. Brunei International Gateway (BIG) managed international connectivity through the country's submarine cable infrastructure. Each provider operated or managed its own network infrastructure.[6][4]
The telecommunications industry's relatively small domestic market and the costs associated with maintaining separate networks formed part of the background to the government's telecommunications restructuring programme.[6]
Establishment and network consolidation
In 2018, the Government of Brunei Darussalam conducted a review of the telecommunications industry and approved a transformation programme intended to modernise the country's network infrastructure and reorganise the telecommunications market.[9]
Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd was established on 4 December 2018 as a government-owned wholesale network operator. Its principal purpose was to consolidate the existing telecommunications infrastructure and provide wholesale telecommunications services to domestic and international customers.[1][10]
On 31 August 2019, UNN received an Infrastructure Provider for the Telecommunications Industry (InTi) licence from the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI). The licence covers mobile, non-fixed, fixed-wired, fixed-wireless and special-purpose telecommunications infrastructure.[11]
On 1 September 2019, UNN officially assumed the network infrastructure previously operated by TelBru, DST, Progresif and BIG. The consolidation transferred the country's principal telecommunications infrastructure to a single wholesale provider.[1][5][4]
The restructuring was intended to reduce the duplication of network infrastructure and allow the telecommunications companies to concentrate on retail services, while sharing access to the national network.[6][12]
Telecommunications industry restructuring
The new market structure was implemented through changes to telecommunications licensing. Effective 1 January 2020, new Service Provider for the Telecommunication Industry (SeTi) licences were issued to the retail operations of the three telecommunications providers: DST, imagine and Progresif.[3]
Under the new arrangement, UNN became the common infrastructure provider, while the retail service providers obtained access to its fixed and mobile networks. This allowed the retail providers to offer both fixed and mobile telecommunications services, unlike the previous market structure in which fixed and mobile services were more clearly separated between operators.[3][4]
The reorganisation marked a major structural change in Brunei's telecommunications industry, replacing the previous vertically integrated network model with a wholesale infrastructure and retail service-provider model.[6][13]
Operations and services
UNN operates as a wholesale telecommunications infrastructure provider rather than a conventional consumer-facing mobile or broadband operator. Its services are used by retail telecommunications companies and other organisations that require network connectivity and digital infrastructure.[14][15]
Its wholesale services include:
- Fixed telecommunications infrastructure and broadband connectivity.
- Mobile telecommunications infrastructure and network services.
- Voice, messaging and mobile data infrastructure.
- Fibre-optic transmission and national backhaul.
- Local and international connectivity.
- Data centre and cloud-hosting services.
- Managed network and other digital infrastructure services.[14]
The company's telecommunications infrastructure supports the retail services provided by DST, imagine and Progresif. Under the 5G arrangement, these providers offer consumer plans, while UNN is responsible for the underlying network infrastructure.[15]
Fixed and fibre-optic networks
Following the network consolidation in 2019, UNN began a programme to modernise Brunei's fixed telecommunications infrastructure, including the replacement of ageing copper connections with fibre-optic networks.
The fibre-modernisation programme was designed to improve broadband capacity, reduce latency and increase the reliability of fixed telecommunications services. In March 2024, UNN reported that fibre connectivity had reached more than 92% of Brunei's populated areas, with further work planned to expand coverage.[16]
In its company disclosures, UNN has reported a national fibre network exceeding 5,000 kilometres. Its published network information also lists more than 600 mobile base stations and connectivity services for homes and local organisations.[14][17]
In February 2026, UNN reported that mobile network coverage reached 98.7% of populated areas, while fixed network infrastructure covered 96% of populated areas in Brunei Darussalam.[18]
Mobile telecommunications and 5G
UNN inherited the existing mobile network infrastructure from DST and Progresif as part of the 2019 restructuring. It subsequently undertook network modernisation and expansion to improve mobile coverage, capacity and service reliability.[8]
As part of the transition to newer mobile technologies, UNN progressively discontinued second-generation (2G) services. The complete cessation of 2G services took effect on 1 June 2021, allowing the reuse of network spectrum for more advanced mobile technologies.[19]
In April 2021, Brunei launched a national 5G pilot project, with AITI overseeing the initiative and UNN deploying 5G base stations at selected locations. The programme was designed to test the technology and prepare the country's telecommunications infrastructure for commercial deployment.[20]
On 22 June 2023, 5G mobile services became available in Brunei Darussalam. The launch was announced jointly by AITI, UNN, DST, imagine and Progresif. UNN provides the supporting network infrastructure, while the three telecommunications service providers offer 5G services to consumers.[21]
Rural connectivity
UNN has also undertaken network expansion projects in rural and remote areas of Brunei, particularly locations where conventional commercial electricity infrastructure is unavailable.
The company's Rural Development Project, which commenced in 2020, included the deployment of hybrid solar-powered mobile base stations to provide telecommunications connectivity in geographically isolated communities.[22]
In April 2024, UNN reported connecting residents in several remote villages, including Kampong Bang Taong, Kampong Kukup, Kampong Buau, Kampong Biadong Ulu, Kampong Sukang and Kampong Melilas, through fixed fibre broadband and mobile services.[23]
By February 2025, the company reported six operational hybrid solar-powered base stations. It also introduced the UNNity for Local Community programme, involving local residents in basic maintenance activities at selected remote network facilities.[22]
The rural outreach initiative received the ESG Initiative of the Year award at the Asian Telecom Awards 2025.[24]
Digital infrastructure and international connectivity
Borneo-IX
On 4 February 2021, UNN entered into a strategic partnership with German Internet exchange operator DE-CIX to establish Borneo-IX at the Tungku Submarine Cable Station in Brunei Darussalam.[25]
Borneo-IX provides an interconnection platform through which internet service providers, content delivery networks, cloud providers and telecommunications operators can exchange internet traffic. The platform was established to improve regional network interconnection and support connectivity between Brunei and other Southeast Asian markets.[25]
Cloud hosting and data centres
On 20 December 2021, UNN launched a commercial Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) cloud-hosting service. The service enables businesses and organisations to host applications and data using infrastructure located in Brunei rather than operating their own data centres.[26]
The company subsequently expanded its data centre and colocation hosting services to serve business and institutional customers requiring locally hosted IT infrastructure.[27]
On 15 May 2025, UNN launched its Digital Service Lab, an innovation facility intended to support experimentation, prototyping and the development of digital solutions through cooperation with government agencies, universities, startups and technology companies.[28]
Submarine cable infrastructure
On 16 July 2025, UNN joined an international consortium led by Singtel to develop the Asia United Gateway East (AUG East) submarine cable system. The consortium includes Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, ARTERIA Networks, Chunghwa Telecom, DREAMLINE, Globe Telecom and Telekom Malaysia.[29]
The planned cable system will span approximately 8,900 kilometres between Singapore and Japan, with branches connecting Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan. NEC Corporation was appointed to construct the system, with completion targeted for 2029.[29]
The project is intended to diversify Brunei's international connectivity routes and increase international network capacity and resilience.[30]
Artificial intelligence infrastructure
In March 2026, UNN signed a memorandum of understanding with Watercloud International (Singapore) to explore cooperation on AI infrastructure, cloud computing, data infrastructure and high-density computing solutions using UNN's planned data centre facilities.[31]
On 3 September 2026, UNN and Vobile, Inc. signed a multi-million-dollar commercial agreement under which Vobile would utilise up to 25 megawatts of capacity at UNN's planned AI-capable data centre.[2]
The proposed data centre is expected to become operational in 2028 and is planned to be supported by NVIDIA GPU systems. The agreement was intended to provide infrastructure for AI workloads, including Vobile's AI content-creation and copyright-protection services.[2]
Ownership and corporate structure
UNN is wholly owned by the Government of Brunei Darussalam and is classified as a government-linked company under Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd.[1]
Darussalam Assets was established on 12 December 2012 to own and manage Brunei's government-linked companies. Its shareholder is the Minister for Finance Corporation (MOFC).[32]
The establishment of UNN formed part of the government's wider effort to reorganise state-owned companies and develop the telecommunications and information-technology sector.[3][6]
Regulation and market position
UNN operates under the regulatory framework administered by AITI and is licensed as an Infrastructure Provider for the Telecommunications Industry under the Telecommunications Order, 2001.[11]
Following the telecommunications restructuring, UNN became the sole wholesale supplier of telecommunications infrastructure and related services in Brunei. In its 2021–2022 review of the retail and wholesale telecommunications markets, AITI determined that UNN held Significant Market Power (SMP) in the wholesale market because it was the sole supplier of wholesale infrastructure and services.[33]
The same market review found that no retail telecommunications provider held SMP or was dominant in the retail market. This distinction reflects the separation between UNN's wholesale infrastructure role and the retail competition between telecommunications service providers.[33]
On 20 February 2023, AITI introduced additional regulatory instruments, including the Telecommunications Code, Competition Law Code and General Duties Code, to promote fair competition and non-discriminatory market conduct and address the risks associated with dominant market positions.[33]
See also
- Communications in Brunei
- Internet in Brunei
- Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam
- Darussalam Assets
- Datastream Digital
- Progresif
- Imagine
References
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External links
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