Unified National Networks triumphs at Asian Telecom Awards 2025
The Brunei-based telecommunications services provider won for its UNNity for Local Community initiative.
Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN) bagged the ESG Initiative of the Year - Brunei Darussalam accolade at the Asian Telecom Awards 2025, which emphasises its significant milestones in expanding connectivity across the country.
UNN, which was established in 2018 to modernise Brunei’s digital telecommunications infrastructure, has successfully increased its fibre network coverage over the past six years to 96% of the population. It deployed 4,000 km of fibre, which has improved mobile internet speeds to an average of 104 Mbps and reduced wholesale tariffs to make connectivity more affordable and accessible for all.
UNN is now focussed on sustainability and inclusivity moving forward, with a conscious decision to forgo profitability and to bring connectivity to rural areas that have historically been disconnected. In 2024, the company began a groundbreaking project to provide 5G mobile services and fixed fibre broadband to isolated rural communities in Ulu Belait.
Also part of UNN’s commitment to environmental sustainability is its innovative and eco-friendly power systems in these rural areas. The base stations and fixed service systems in six villages—Bang Taong (Kampong Apak-Apak), Kukub, Buau, Biadong Ulu, Melilas, and Sukang—are now fully powered by a hybrid solar power system. This sustainable approach supports UNN’s goal to reduce its environmental impact and also ensures reliable and long-term connectivity in these remote locations.
Despite these milestones, the project posed challenges, including the region’s lack of commercial power supply. Due to this, building infrastructure in rural Ulu Belait required careful planning, including site surveys, connectivity studies, and obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from landowners and the Brunei Land Department. Additionally, UNN had to develop a hybrid solar power system capable of providing 24-hour service.
With the completion of this initiative, rural communities are now connected to the digital world and are able to communicate with loved ones, access information online, and use various technologies and devices. These new connections have helped reduce the social isolation of these villages, bringing them closer to the rest of the country.
Starting in mid-2024, under the UNNity for Local Community programme, UNN has established the UNNity committee with the Village Heads to procure services and support from the residents of the rural villages within Ulu Belait for basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and security.
The eventual scopes will provide residents with additional income (resource) and help reduce the carbon footprint caused by travel frequencies that the UNN Maintenance Team of engineers and technicians would perform to upkeep the base stations in Ulu Belait.
UNN's efforts in making this transformative project a reality have been recognised not only by the local communities but also by the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications.
The Asia Telecom Awards recognises exceptional accomplishments within the telecom industry in the Asia Pacific region. It also highlights the journey of telecom companies that have driven progress and ignited transformative shifts within the sector.
The Asian Telecom Awards is presented by Asian Telecom Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be acclaimed for delivering cutting-edge, award-winning telco products and services to customers, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].
