🇧🇳 Brunei Internet & SIM Cards — Connectivity Guide

The internet in Brunei is generally of high quality, with fast average speeds and widespread coverage, making it easy for tourists and residents to stay connected.

Internet Overview

The internet in Brunei is considered to be of high quality, with average speeds of 25 Mbps download, making it suitable for streaming, online gaming, and other data-intensive activities. The urban areas, such as the capital city Bandar Seri Begawan, have excellent internet coverage, with most homes and businesses having access to high-speed internet. However, the rural areas may experience slower speeds and more limited coverage, although the government has been working to improve the infrastructure in these areas. The reliability of the internet in Brunei is also generally good, with minimal downtime and fast repair times in case of outages.

The internet infrastructure in Brunei is well-developed, with a number of internet service providers (ISPs) offering a range of plans and services. The main carriers, DST, Progresif, and TelBru, offer a range of plans, including prepaid and postpaid options, as well as data-only plans for tourists and visitors. The prices for these plans are generally competitive, with tourists able to purchase a SIM card with a data plan for around 10 USD.

Getting a SIM Card

Getting a SIM card in Brunei is relatively easy, with a number of options available for tourists and visitors. The main carriers, DST, Progresif, and TelBru, all offer prepaid SIM cards with data plans, which can be purchased at their retail stores or at the airport. To purchase a SIM card, visitors will need to provide their passport and may need to register their SIM card with the carrier. The recommended carriers for tourists are DST and Progresif, which offer a range of data plans, including a 1GB data plan for around 10 USD.

WiFi Availability

• Hotel WiFi quality in Brunei is generally good, with most hotels offering free WiFi to their guests.
• Cafe WiFi culture is also prevalent, with many cafes and coffee shops offering free WiFi to customers.
• Coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular in Brunei, with a number of options available in the capital city, offering high-speed WiFi and other amenities.
• Public WiFi is also available in many areas, including shopping malls and public parks.
• Many restaurants and bars also offer free WiFi to customers, making it easy to stay connected while dining out.

For Remote Workers

• Coworking spaces such as The Co and Regus offer high-speed WiFi, meeting rooms, and other amenities, making them ideal for remote workers.
• Reliable cafe chains such as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Starbucks offer free WiFi and a comfortable working environment.
• Backup internet options such as portable WiFi hotspots and mobile broadband are also available, providing a reliable connection in case of outages.
• VPN services are also recommended for remote workers, as they can provide an additional layer of security and anonymity when working online.
• Many shopping malls and public areas also offer free WiFi, making it easy to stay connected while on the go.

Tips & Warnings

• Internet censorship is present in Brunei, with some websites and services blocked by the government.
• Some blocked sites include those related to gambling, pornography, and certain political topics.
• VPN services are recommended to bypass these restrictions and access blocked content.
• Roaming alternatives such as purchasing a local SIM card or using a portable WiFi hotspot can be more cost-effective than using international roaming.
• eSIM options are also available, providing a convenient and easy way to stay connected while traveling.
• It is also recommended to use strong passwords and keep software up to date to protect against cyber threats.