Temburong District is still plagued with low coverage and low quality of telecommunications service. Several problems identified include low population density and uneven land surface for installing telecommunication towers and the long process of constructing the tower.
This was clarified by the Chief Executive Officer of the Info-Communication Technology Industry Authority, AITI, Haji Yahkup bin Haji Menudin, at a Dialogue on Telecommunication Towers in Bangar Town in the Temburong District.
The dialogue explained the technical aspects of the tower, construction approval process involving Government Departments and the importance of the telecom tower as a communication equipment. According to statistics, use of communication devices especially mobile phones is already over one hundred percent. This shows that public demand for communication services is increasing, encouraging telecommunication and mobile phone service providers in the country to install more towers to meet demand. Mobile phone service provider, B-Mobile, is carrying out installation of 6 towers in Kampungs Labu, Rataie, Batang Tuau Lagau, Batang Duri and Belalong. Â
Meanwhile, DST is in the process of installing 7 towers in Kampungs Selapon, Temada, Buang Bulan, Belayang, Lakiun Labu Inspection Centre and the Public Works Department in Batu Apoi. A Representative from B. Mobile Communications, Hajah Noorul Baiyinah binti Haji Kassim, explained how a location is selected to install the tower. She said, the company officers will look for residential areas that provide the best coverage, where there is a need for telecommunication services.
Similar dialogues organised jointly by AITI and Government Departments as well as telecommunication service providers were held in the Brunei Muara, Tutong and Belait Districts. Also present was a member of the Legislative Council, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Ahad.