Brunei to build fiber optic cable

Brunei has a well-developed fiber optic network covering over 92% of populated areas, supported by local providers and international submarine cable connections.

National Fiber Infrastructure

Fiber optic technology in Brunei has been deployed for over 20 years, with broadband access starting around 2010. The Unified National Networks (UNN) manages a national backhaul network of more than 6,000 km of fiber, providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity across the country. As of early 2024, over 92% of Brunei's populated areas are fiberized, with ongoing projects to complete remaining regions by mid-2024. This rollout is part of a copper-to-fiber migration program aimed at discontinuing copper-based connections and enhancing broadband performance for fixed service customers .

International Connectivity

Brunei serves as a bandwidth transit hub for Borneo, connecting Sabah, Sarawak, and Kalimantan via terrestrial fiber to cable landing stations. The country is linked to nine international destinations, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, China, and the USA. Brunei currently has four active submarine cable systems with a potential bandwidth capacity of 10 Tbps, landed at the Tungku and Telisai cable stations. This infrastructure supports both domestic and international data traffic, positioning Brunei as a strategic connectivity hub in the region .

Local Fiber Optic Service Providers

Several companies specialize in fiber optic infrastructure in Brunei:

• Fiber Link SDN BHD: Established in 2003, offering FTTX, structured cabling, civil construction, OTDR testing, and network design services. They are an authorized contractor for UNN and have extensive experience in both onshore and offshore telecommunications projects .
• Syarikat Perusaha'an Zaiba Dan Adik-Adik (SPZAIBA): Founded in 2007, providing turnkey solutions for fiber optic infrastructure, including planning, design, installation, testing, and maintenance. They also supply electrical and construction materials for telecom projects .
• Dura Sdn Bhd: Listed among Brunei's fiber optic companies, supplying products and solutions for contractors, system integrators, and end-users .

Key Developments

The fiber optic expansion aligns with Brunei's Wawasan 2035 vision to become a Smart Nation. The migration from copper to fiber ensures higher throughput, lower latency, and improved customer experience. Recent expansions include areas such as Sungai Teraban, Kuala Balai, Labi, Kampong Ayer Bolkiah, Merangking, Menunggol, Bukit, Long Mayan, and Teraja, with ongoing projects in Pemadang, Ra'an, Rambai, and Merimbun .

Summary

Brunei's fiber optic network is robust, with extensive national coverage, international submarine cable links, and multiple local providers offering installation and maintenance services. The ongoing modernization and copper-to-fiber migration programs ensure that Brunei continues to enhance its broadband infrastructure, supporting both domestic connectivity and regional data transit.