THE benefits of 3.5G connectivity in Brunei Darussalam will be felt by those who crave bigger bandwidth, in particular those constantly on the go.

A wireless technology that allows fast Internet connection, 3.5G has begun to make a splash in Brunei, although it is yet to be determined whether it will have a big impact among users.

Speaking to The Brunei Times, Arjuna Ranasinghe, General Manager of TechDistribution, said having 3.5G would add convenience to businesses. "It's good to have the advanced technology," he said, adding "it will have a bigger impact when bigger bandwidth is needed".

Currently, he said to connect on the Internet on the go, he uses his smartphone with his laptop to keep up with his work when outside of his office, but conceded that it really is only for basic usage like replying to urgent email.

Anything more complex or that would need faster connection to the Internet would require access to 3.5G technology. A boon for tech-savvy users, especially those who take advantage of the media content available online, the platform provides basic download speeds of up to 3.6Mbps, providing a reliable link to information, literally at the tips of their fingertips.

Opinions remain divided on whether the packages which will be on offer to the public are suited to their needs.

Ken, a private retail trader based in Brunei, said the product should be rolled out based on consumer demand and commercial needs. "It shouldn't be technology-driven, it should focus more on consumer needs," he said.

He said that in order for it to be a success, it will need to be commercially driven. "In Brunei, there are more and more people getting involved in financial markets, and these are the people who will take advantage of such a facility," he said.

While browsing the Internet has become popular among the youth, businessmen have found increasing use for niche applications to help them run their business. One example brought up is that an entrepreneur will be able to have his laptop open when on the move, able to receive updates on activities that may have a bearing on his business. While the traders in Brunei will be rubbing their hands with anticipation, a much more simple example of where the technology can be used is through the package and parcel tracking. Outside of Brunei, parcels and packages are tracked with devices that inform the end users of their status and whereabouts.

The Sultanate's Internet penetration was only at six per cent in 2000, five years after Brunet, an Internet service provider, was introduced in 1995. Now, Internet users number at 176,029 , indicating a growth of more than 30 per cent. International Telecommunication Union now cites a 41 per cent Internet penetration rate as of 2007. With the advent of 3.5G from b.mobile already available and the service to be provided by DST in collaboration with Ericsson, this figure could rise yet again this year.

The Brunei Times