Welcoming Remarks By
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah Bin Begawan Mudim
Dato Paduka Haji Bakar,
Minister Of Communications Brunei Darussalam
On
Wednesday,
10th September 2014, 9:00am
At
The Asia–Pacific ICT Ministerial Meeting
At
Indera Samudera Grand Hall Empire Hotel And Country Club Jerudong, Negara Brunei Darussalam
Your Excellencies Ministers and Head of Delegates,
Mr Zhao Houlin, Deputy Secretary General, International Telecommunication Union,
Mr. Toshiyuki Yamada, Secretary General, Asia-Pacific Telecommunity,
Distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen,
Assalamualaikum warrahmatullahi wabarakatuh and a very Good Morning to all of you.
1.
First of all, on behalf of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and
Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, I would like to extend a very
warm welcome to all the Ministers, Head of Delegates and their
respective members of delegations to the Asia-Pacific ICT Ministerial
Meeting and to Brunei Darussalam.
2.
It is an honor for Brunei Darussalam to host the Asia-Pacific ICT
Ministerial Meeting. This is an opportunity for us to offer you glimpses
of culture, hospitality, tranquility and sceneries of Brunei
Darussalam. It is within this setting that we wish to accommodate a
fruitful deliberation and exchange of experiences among the members of
the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).
3.
We are also here today to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the APT.
Since its establishment, APT has proved to be more than just a platform
for interactive and effective networking among members. APT has been the
voice that elevates our mutual interests at the international fora.
Opportunities for collaboration has always been facilitated and much
supported by APT. Initiatives on human resource development, dispatch of
expert resources and technology transfer on issues of current trend and
development, have always been among the main focus of APT's main
objectives. In this regard, I wish to thank APT for their significant
role of strengthening the regional position towards a sustainable ICT
industry in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ministers, Head of delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
4.
Brunei Darussalam became a member of APT on 18th March 1986. Since
then, Brunei Darussalam has been participating in activities organized
by APT. We have also hosted a number of APT events over the past number
of years to further illustrate our support for APT's initiatives.
5.
Brunei Darussalam is proud to be the host of the Asia-Pacific ICT
Ministerial Meeting. With the theme of "Building a Smart Digital Economy
through ICT", the meeting could not have been more appropriate and
timely. Key priority areas have also been identified with areas of
cooperation to support this theme, which are:-
i. First - Policies for Sustainable Growth of ICT and Smart Digital Economy;
ii. Second - Safe and Secure Society through ICT;
iii. Third - Enabling a Sustainable ICT Ecosystem for an Innovative Economy; and
iv. Fourth - Capacity Building and Institutional Development.
6.
Through the key priority areas, focus is given on the importance of
broadband development and conducive environment for growth, including
facilitation of businesses and promotion of ICT entrepreneurship. These
are further emphasized with calls toward harmonization of spectrum and
common standards. The wider adoption of ICT and human capacity building
are also highlighted as among the enabling factors towards a smart
digital economy. In addition, the key priority areas also give emphasis
on safety, security and integrity of both users and infrastructure.
7.
For the Ministry of Communications, I am pleased to see the alignment
of our policy and strategies with the identified key priority areas. The
National Vision of Brunei Darussalam, the Vision 2035, which is to
strive towards a more dynamic and sustainable economy.
8.
With Vision 2035 as the main guiding principle, the Ministry of
Communications has formulated the Strategic Plan 2008-2017, with the
vision towards a Smart Society by 2017. For the Ministry of
Communications, one of the features of Smart Society is the ability of
having every day endeavours, social and economic activities accomplished
with the optimum resources – be it time, transportation and expenses.
More importantly they can be done anytime and anywhere. Of course, the
enabling factor behind this vision broadband development with a
conducive policy and regulatory environment.
9.
At this point, I can see the correlation between our policies and
strategies with the key priority areas as identified in the Joint
Statement. The importance of broadband development for Brunei Darussalam
is greatly emphasized through the National Broadband Policy, which was
recently formulated in collaboration with the International
Telecommunication Union.
10.
The rate of broadband usage in Brunei Darussalam has been climbing
steadily, thanks to the support and initiatives of our stakeholders. The
number of broadband subscribers in 2013 has increased by 40% over the
last 5 years. We are expecting this to continue with the roll-out of
Fibre to the home (FTTH). This is currently progressing well, having
already connected 22,000 homes with high speed broadband since roll-out
in 2012. Under the National Broadband Policy, it is targeted to achieve
at least 80% of households with a broadband service by 2017.
11.
Broadband growth in Brunei Darussalam will be further complemented by
the increasing usage of mobile broadband. We expect this growth to
progress following the recent roll-out of 4G LTE by our service
provider.
12.
We wish to take this further with the National Broadband Policy. The
main objective of the National Broadband Policy is to bridge digital
divide by ensuring the population of Brunei Darussalam is provided with
broadband connection at competitive prices and according to industry
standards. Hence, strategies and plans will focus on three key themes:-
i. First, ensuring access to broadband connectivity for all;
ii. Second, Improving the value, quality and affordability of broadband; and
iii. Third, Maximizing the adoption and utilization of broadband.
13.
This will be implemented through deployment of a mixture of
technologies. Targets are also set to in order to address the core
issues of accessibility, affordability, quality and usage, such as:-
i. Increasing household broadband penetration to 80% by 2017;
ii. Enhancing basic broadband speed of at least 2Mbps to be available to 95% of the population by December 2015;
iii.
Offering high speed broadband services with download speed of at least
20Mbps to be available to 75% of the population by 2017;
iv.
Retail price for residential high speed broadband service with
broadband speed of at least 20Mbps is less than 3% of average monthly
earning by 2016; and
v. Introduction
of competition codes and quality services code of practice to ensure
level playing field among service providers and quality of services for
consumers.
14.
In line with the policy, the Authority for Info-communications
Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam, as the regulator has been
forthcoming in its initiatives towards promoting the development of the
ICT industry. In support of key priority area, 'Policies for Sustainable
Growth of ICT and Smart Digital Economy', we are now at the final stage
in reviewing the current regulatory framework towards a streamlined
converged framework. The revised regulatory framework will facilitate
the growth of both ICT and multimedia industry, encouraging competition
and innovation in convergence.
15.
To support the growing usage and demand for broadband capacity, Brunei
Darussalam is also a party to the harmonization of the 700Mhz band as
per the band plan of Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT). With this move,
we wish to allow more room for growth of new services as well enabling
us to maximize technologies to address accessibility in underserved
areas.
16.
In anticipating the growth of mobile broadband usage among the users,
and the rate that these services are consumed across borders, Brunei
Darussalam welcomes initiative to reduce the cost of international
mobile roaming charges, on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefits.
Thus, I am pleased to share that Brunei Darussalam and Singapore have
just signed a bilateral agreement to reduce international mobile roaming
rates. This initiative would not have been possible without the support
of our service providers who share the same commitment to offer better
services to their customers. Brunei Darussalam looks forward to such
initiative with others in the near future.
Ministers, delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
17.
The Ministry of Communications gives serious attention to safety and
security of our users. In fact, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has called on the need to increase our
capacity and awareness in monitoring, prevention and enforcement with
respect to positive use of the Internet. The role of all stakeholders,
such as parents, teachers, society and the users themselves are also
emphasised. Also highlighted was on cybersecurity, particularly among
our young and vulnerable users.
18.
In this regard, the Ministry of Communications has collaborated with
various stakeholders to coordinate the multi-agencies issues and
interests in addressing cybersecurity issues. The Child Online
Protection (COP) was formulated with the involvement of various agencies
where a sustainable Action Plan was developed to address
internet-related crimes that are targeting those who are young and
vulnerable within the society. We realize that cybersecurity issues and
online threats need to be handled through cross-border collaboration.
Hence, we appreciate very much, platform such as APT where these issues
are given due attention and addressed.
19.
To ensure a safe and sustainable ICT ecosystem, the importance of human
capacity building cannot be undermined. Brunei Darussalam is now at the
initial but critical stage of developing our National ICT Manpower
Masterplan. In support of the Vision 2035 towards educated and highly
skilled people, the National ICT Manpower Masterplan aims to harness ICT
skills towards productivity and innovation across many sectors of the
economy.
20.
For Brunei Darussalam, capacity building is also focused among our
local young talents who will be the drivers of the ICT industry. For
this purpose, various agencies in Brunei Darussalam, have conducted
complementing initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship, enhance skills
and professionalism as well as strengthen the standings of SMEs. The
Ministry of Communications, for example, annually collaborates with AITI
and the Infocom Federation of Brunei to organize the Brunei ICT Awards,
which fellow Ministers and delegates will have the privilege to witness
tonight.
Ministers, Delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
21.
As the meeting is held every 5 years, the Ministerial Statement will
chart the direction and strategic plan of APT for the next 5 years. This
is further complemented by the exchange of information and experiences
among Ministers and Head of Delegates in the next two days. Through
these sessions, we will gain valuable knowledge and strengthen our
networks on various issues to realize the key priority areas in the
Ministerial Statement. I certainly look forward to a fruitful and
interactive deliberation during this meeting.
22.
As the host of this meeting, we have arranged the program to also
enable you to relax and enjoy your stay in Brunei Darussalam. Tonight,
we invite to you to be our guest in celebrating the talents of our local
ICT industry at the Brunei ICT Awards (BICTA) 2014 Gala Night. I am
sure that your presence will further motivate them to aim beyond Brunei
Darussalam with their innovative products and ideas.
23.
Please also make time for a game of golf or some sightseeing before
your flight back home on Friday. Last but not least, I hope that you
enjoy the hospitality as well as the arrangements provided. I also hope
that your trip to Brunei Darussalam for this meeting, is filled with
fruitful outcomes and enjoyable memories. Thank you.
