Deal to bolster broadband for state bodies inked

A NEWLY signed agreement between the Ministry of Communications (MinCom) and TelBru looks to bolster broadband services and interconnectivity for all government ministries and departments under the e-government initiatives.

The EG Bandwidth Services (EGBS) project between MinCom and TelBru is set to provide the optimum bandwidth for government agencies.

EGBS is the exclusive broadband service provided to the government, of which the MinCom is the custodian for the EGBS master agreement as well as the EGBS Service Level agreement.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of theEGBS project, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MinCom Abdul Mutalib Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohamad Yusof, said the agreement would provide a new framework to govern the ongoing relationship between the government and TelBru that facilitates the provision of EGBS to all ministries and their respective departments.

"Through this agreement, the government will be able to enhance the management and provision of bandwidth that is optimum, while also ensuring the quality of services in the delivery of the service mentioned," said the deputy permanent secretary.

Following yesterday's signing, the MinCom becomes the lead agency to coordinate, review and approve all applications for EG bandwidth services for government ministries and departments. "This will directly support what is desired in the e-Government strategic Plan 2009-2014, which requires ICT infrastructure that is strong, safe and reliable in implementing E-government initiatives that are efficient and even more effective in the country," said the deputy permanent secretary.

He added that among the desired outcomes from the EGBS master contract is that "the connectivity issues faced by the government can be handled better, in other words managed accountability and services quality assurance."

Government agencies can also look forward to a number of support services provided to all government agencies under the contract.

Among them is comprehensive support for multimedia applications that envelop data, image, video, voice and text; the allocation of bandwidth ranging from 64kbps up to 100 Mbps; efficient, effective and secure e-Government connectivity implementation with service availability of at least 99.9 per cent; and around the clock network monitoring for all EGBS applications.

Signing the contract yesterday for MinCom was Abdul Mutalib. It was witnessed by Zainurrijal Hj Abdullah, acting director of the Information Technology, Research and Development Unit of the Ministry of Communications.

Representing TelBru was Hj Umar Ali Hj Abdullah, acting chief executive officer of TelBru, witnessed by Lim Ming Soon, general manager of TelBru Product and Development, Sales and Marketing Division.

On hand as guest of honour was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Dato Paduka Hj Alaihuddin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Utama Hj Mohd Taha.

The Brunei Times