We are experiencing tremendous change in our traditional markets as a result of significant shifts in our customer's buying patterns as they discover the possibilities of telecommunication technologies such as mobility.

1920s

Telecommunication services were first introduced to Brunei in 1920, when international wireless telegraph circuits were built to link the country to Labuan . In 1922, two more stations were built in Temburong and Brooketown (now known as Muara). The wireless communication service was connected to Belait district in 1925.

1920

An international wireless telegraph circuit from Brunei to Labuan was established.

1922

Wireless stations was built in Temburong and Brooketown (Muara). We are experiencing tremendous change in our traditional markets as a result of significant shifts in our customer's buying patterns as they discover the possibilities of telecommunication technologies such as mobility.

1924

The first telephone circuit was installed inking the British Resident's office to his residence.

1925

Wireless communication services were connected to Belait district.

1930s

The launch of telephone services in the 1930s, administered by the Postal and Telegraph Office, enhanced communication among the business community, the oil industry and senior government officials.

1930

The Wireless Department merged with the Postal Department.

 

1940s

The Japanese occupation during World War II brought submarine cables connecting Brunei and Labuan . Water cables were also installed in Brunei 's rivers. After the war, a wireless telegraph circuit was launched and the first High Frequency station was built.

1947

Wireless telegraph circuit using manual operation was made available.

1950s

1952 saw the establishment of Jabatan Telekom Brunei (JTB) as a government department responsible for the development of communication systems and infrastructure. In 1955, a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio network was installed.

1952

The Telecom Department was established.

1957

Automatic electromechanical step by-step (Strowger) exchanges were introduced in Brunei and Kuala Belait.

1960s

In 1962, a 24-hour hand-operated telegraph service to Singapore was launched. By 1963, Brunei could boast five VHF speech channels. With the installation of the South East Commonwealth Submarine Cable in 1965, Brunei was able to increase its international communications, and a telephone circuit was connected to Kuala Lumpur . Meanwhile both urban and rural telecom services grew apace.

1962

Round-the-clock hand operated telegraph circuit services to Singapore were made available.

1965

The South East Commonwealth Submarine Cable to Kota Kinabalu was installed.

1967

  • Low frequency radio Single Side Band (SSB) connecting Bandar Seri Begawan was installed.
  • Telex services from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuala Belait and Kota Kinabalu were introduced.
  • Very High Frequency Radio (PYE 5) communication from Bandar Seri Begawan to Labuan was launched.

1968

  • Telex services from Brunei to Kuala Lumpur were introduced.
  • Private Automated Branch Exchange (PABX) was introduced in government offices.

1970s

By 1970 there were automatic exchanges in Bandar Seri Begawan , Kuala Belait, Seria, Muara and Manggis. In 1972 STC VHF radio equipment was installed at four locations, and speech channels between districts were increased. To improve television broadcast, in 1975 a backbone microwave system was introduced to enable communication between key districts. In 1974, telex communication with Hong Kong international exchange linked Brunei operators to the world. By 1977 the first Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) service had been launched, and exchange buildings were opened in many of Brunei 's towns. Meanwhile, a technical training unit was opened.

1972

12-channel Standard Telecom Company Very High Frequency radio stations were launched at Bukit Salilah, Bukit Ambok, Kuala Belait and Muara.

1973

An automatic step-by-step Strowger exchange with a capacity of 200 lines was installed at Tutong.

1974

  • The 200-line automatic step-by-step Strowger exchange at Tutong was launched.
  • A 100-line automatic step-by-step Strowger exchange at Muara was launched.
  • A 400-line automatic step-by-step Strowger exchange at Manggis was launched.

1977

  • Calls between districts or Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) calls were introduced in Muara, Tutong and Kuala Belait districts.
  • Medium Frequency push-button subscriber telephone sets were introduced.
  • Construction of the Telecom Store in Kg Perpindahan Berakas was completed.

1978

  • STD calls were introduced in Temburong district.
  • Rural Automatic Telephone Exchanges (RAX) were launched in Labi and Sungai Liang.

1979

  • The Standard B earth satellite in Telisai was launched.
  • The Bandar Seri Begawan International Telephone Exchange (ITE) was launched.
  • A Plessey 4660 telex exchange was launched.
  • Voice Frequency Telegraph Systems were launched in Kuala Belait, Seria and Tutong.
  • Rural telephone country sets were installed for head-villagers.
  • A Plessey 30-channel PCM system from Bandar Seri Begawan to Madang was launched.
  • Telephone House Building at Kg Sumbiling was completed.

1980s

In 1980, the Bandar Seri Begawan Central Exchange was launched allowing subscribers to direct dial to other countries. In 1982 the B Standard Satellite Station became fully operational and tele-traffic increased tremendously. A more powerful A Standard Satellite Station followed in 1983. After the country gained independence in 1984, TelBru became increasingly active. As one of the six departments under the Ministry of Communications, TelBru facilitated the development of telecommunications by developing an impressive range of domestic and international voice, message and data communication services. EWSD SPC digital switch equipment was introduced and extended to new areas. To connect all the EWSD SPC equipment, TelBru invested in radio digital Time Division Multiplex (TDM) plus transmission equipment including fibre optic cabling. To enhance overseas telecommunication, fibre optic submarine cables were also installed. Meanwhile, 1989 witnessed the first stage of cellular mobile telephone system operation (completed in 1991).

1980

  • A 5-digit number scheme was introduced.
  • ND-20 10,000-line analogue exchange for B.S.B. Central 1 was launched.
  • ND-20 5,000-line analogue exchange for B.S.B. Madang was launched.
  • ND-20 6,000-line analogue exchange for B.S.B. Mumong was launched.
  • International Direct Dialling (IDD) call services were introduced in Bandar Seri Begawan .
  • TelBru became a member of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT).

1981

  • The first stage of the Telecom Training Centre,Old Airport Berakas was completed.
  • ND-20 4,000-line analogue exchange for Madewa was launched.

1982

  • Fujitsu analogue FDM radio links from Banad Seri Begawan Central to Mumong, Tutong, Telisai, and Muara were launched.
  • ND-20 2,000-line analogue exchange for Sengkurong was launched.

1983

  • The second stage of the Telecom Training Centre,Old Airport Berakas was completed.
  • UXD5-b 200-line electronic exchange in Sg Teraban was launched.
  • ND-20 Central Trunk analogue exchange was launched.
  • ND-20 3,000-line exchange was launched in Serdang.
  • Standard A earth satellite station was launched in Telisai.
  • Facsimile services were introduced.

1984

  • TelBru became a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
  • NEC's 30-channel PCM system was launched in Serdang, Sengkurong and Madang.
  • Installation and testing of the 300- line ND-20 Salar Exchange was completed.

1985

  • A 3,000-line NEAX-61 digital exchange was launched in Madang-1.
  • TelBru became a shareholder of ASEAN Cable Pte Ltd.
  • Additional programming was introduced for the ND-20 exchanges in B.S.B. Central-1, B.S.B. Central Trunk,Mumong and Salar.
  • An analogue ND-20 exchange training centre was launched.
  • A 5,000-line NEAX-61 digital exchange was launched in B.S.B. Central 2.

1987

  • Additional VFT equipment was introduced in Kuala Belait, Seria, Tutong and Bandar Seri Begawan .
  • ND-20 3,000-line analogue exchange for Salar was launched.
  • Stage 1 of the TelBru headquarters building was completed. 1975 A 120-channel analogue Frequency Division Mulitplex (FDM) radio link from Bandar Seri Begawan to Tutong and Kuala Belait was launched.

1988

External plant cable for Madang, Berakas,Gadong and Seria was planned and designed.

1989

  • Marconi radio link digital Time Division Multiplexing Modulation (TDM)of 34Mb/s was installed from Bandar Seri Begawan to Salar and Muara.
  • Marconi radio link digital TDM of 140Mb/s was installed from Bandar Seri Begawan to Tutong, and from Mumong to Seria.
  • Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS) from Belait district to Tutong was launched.
  • A 5,000-line EWSD telephone exchange was opened in Madang-2.
  • A 7,000-line EWSD telephone exchange was opened in Seria.
  • The TelBru headquarters building was extended to become the Ministry of Communication.
  • CMTS was launched in the Brunei/Muara district.

1990s

A radio paging network enabled paging nationwide. Data packed switching equipment (EWSD) was installed to enable DATA-PLUS, which significantly enhances data communication. Further telephone exchanges were built, as well as Remote Shelter Line Units. Various submarine cable projects were completed and new ones undertaken, further improving telecommunications with the outside world. These were complemented by two new digital gateway exchanges. By 1995, TelBru had upgraded its SPC digital telephone switch network and upgraded and expanded TDM digital radio network and transmission with a second terrestrial microwave digital backbone. The external plant cable distribution network was expanded, and the CMTS network was continuously improved. Further telephone exchanges were built, and the international network was expanded at both of TelBru's international digital exchanges.

1990

  • The Telisai and Penanjong Remote Shelter Line Units were opened.
  • 3,000-line EWSD telephone exchanges were opened in Mumong, Kg Ayer, Berakas and Sengkurong.
  • Billing Information Processing System (BIPS) was launched.
  • 500-line Remote Shelter Line Units were launched in Labi and Sg Liang.
  • A 5,000-line EWSD telephone exchange was opened in Gadong.
  • A 6-digit number scheme was introduced countrywide.
  • A 34mn/s radio link from Bandar Seri Begawan to Sengkurong and Berakas was launched.
  • A 10,000-line EWSD telephone exchange was opened in B.S.B. Central-3.
  • The Bangsar 2,000-line EWSD telephone exchange was opened in Bangar.
  • The installation of 140mb/s optic fibre linked Bandar Seri Begawan to Gadong and Madang.
  • 3,000-line EWSD telephone exchanges were opened in Tutong and Muara.

1995

  • A Central Exchange was opened.
  • Electronic Lock was launched.
  • The Subok Exchange was opened.
  • Phone Xtra was launched.
  • The Gadong Exchange was opened.
  • Emergency numbers: 991 for Ambulance, 993 for Police, and 995 for Fire were introduced.
  • Gold Global Calling Card was launched.
  • Easy & Business Page was launched.
  • Brunet was launched.

1996

  • The Pulaie Exchange was opened.
  • The Jerudong Exchange was opened.
  • Video Conferencing was launched.
  • Hallo Kad was launched.
  • A Telecom Store was opened in Sinarubai.
  • A new Telex Exchange was opened.

1997

  • Advance Wireless Access Network (AWAN) Technology was launched.
  • New TelBru.
  • Headquarters at Kuala Belait were opened.
  • Jabatan Telecom Brunei joined ACASIA Communications Sdn. Bhd., a joint venture company providing telecom services within ASEAN and beyond.

1998

  • Video Phone was launched.
  • Brunei Talking Directory Service was launched.
  • Rangkaian Global Aliran Multimedia 21 (RAGAM21) was launched.

1999

  • BruNet Operation Centre was opened.
  • Jabatan Telecom Brunei Caller ID service was launched.
  • Jabatan Telecom Service Online facility was launched.
  • Muara Telecom Business Centre was opened.
  • Economy Call '098'was launched.

2000s

In 2000, Brunei hosted the APEC 2000 conference in which TelBru installed the entire required telecommunication facilities. High speed broadband services were made available through a partnership with a local company.

Living up to our responsibilities to the communities in which we operate, TelBru implemented rural communication systems to remote areas in Temburong, Tutong and Kuala Belait. These basic telephony and internet services provided much needed accessibility to residents in these areas. The implementation of these systems has narrowed the wide digital gap and brought about huge benefits that had been only enjoyed by those in urban areas. TelBru has also made vast improvements in internet services through a complete overhaul of BruNet's core infrastructure, making it more dynamic and seamless. In addition to its core network, TelBru redesigned the access network to its existing cable system making it broadband ready. To add to further enhancement, TelBru increased its international internet access via fibre optic submarine cable through Hong Kong and Teleglobe (USA). TelBru implemented one of the first commercial Next Generation Network (NGN) info-communication services, proving yet another milestone. The system, with new telephone exchanges, transmission, internet access and data communications, delivered complete convergence of Internet Protocol (IP) services. The timely replacement is geared to meet the social and economic developments of ICT experience by Brunei Darussalam in the 21st century. In March 2004, TelBru implemented its computerised Customer Management System (CMS) to replace the existing BIPS. The CMS billing system provided greater flexibility and enhanced management of new info-telecommunication products and services.

2000

  • Prepaid Netkad service waslaunched.
  • E-Speed Website was launched.
  • Prepaid Economy Call Hallo Kad was launched.
  • E-Speed was launched.
  • Direct Internet Link To USA (UNNET) was launched.

2001

  • Coinphone was liberalised.
  • Telecom Business Centre at TelBru Headquaters, Old Airport Berakas was opened.
  • Telecom Business Centre at Labi was opened.
  • Remote Digital Line Units at Temburong, Sumbiling Lama & Baru, and Lepong Baru were launched.
  • The Rimba Exchange was opened.
  • Telecom Business Centres were opened at Sengkurong and Lamunin.
  • Prepaid Netkad Plus Hallo was launched.
  • Rural telecommunication services were launched.

2002

  • Introduction of local call charges and reduction of monthly telephone charges.
  • An InfoTel outlet was launched.
  • UFon Prepaid card was launched.
  • Prepaid VoIP Payless phone card service was launched.
  • Katok exchange was opened.

2003

  • Introduction of 7-digit telephone numbering scheme.
  • Fixed Line SMS service was launched.
  • Budget Call 097 was introduced.
  • e-School project was jointly implemented with Ministry of Education.
  • Disaster Recovery Centre for BruNet was established.

2004

  • Intoduction of e-Speed2 service.
  • Introduction of Customer Management System (CMS).
  • Internet wireless access (hotspot), BlinkZone,was launched.
  • Replacement of PSTN switching system with the new Next Generation Network (NGN)
  • Launching of NGN Forum and Showcase.
  • Fixed line prepaid service, i-Call,was launched.
  • Sinarubai Telecom Business Centre was opened.

2005

  • Inter-Carrier Settlement System (ICSS) was implemented.
  • CD-ROM electronic telephone directory, e-Directory,was launched.
  • BruNet new website was launched.