The +673 country code is for Brunei -- officially Brunei Darussalam, which translates to "Abode of Peace." It's a tiny oil-rich sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo, surrounded on three sides by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Population is about 450,000. The Sultan of Brunei is both head of state and head of government, and has been on the throne since 1967. Brunei has no income tax, free healthcare, and heavily subsidized fuel. The capital is Bandar Seri Begawan, usually shortened to BSB. Malay is the official language, but English is widely spoken in business and education.
Quick answer: The country code +673 is for Brunei. Brunei phone numbers are 7 digits after +673. Mobile numbers start with 7 or 8:
+673 7XX XXXX. Landlines start with 2, 3, 4, or 5:+673 2XX XXXX. There is no trunk prefix -- dial the number exactly as written.
How to call Brunei: quick reference
Brunei does not use a trunk prefix. The domestic number is the same as the international number minus the country code. No leading 0 to drop.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +673 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-673-[local number] |
| UK | 00-673-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-673-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-673-[local number] |
| France | 00-673-[local number] |
Understanding Brunei phone numbers
All Brunei phone numbers are 7 digits long after the country code. The first digit tells you whether it's a mobile or landline.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 7 or 8 and are 7 digits total:
+673 7XX XXXX or +673 8XX XXXX
The 7 prefix is older and belongs primarily to DST (the main mobile operator). The 8 prefix was added as mobile adoption grew. If you see a 7-digit Brunei number starting with 7 or 8, it's a mobile.
Landline numbers
Landline numbers start with 2, 3, 4, or 5 and are also 7 digits:
+673 2XX XXXX (Brunei-Muara district, including BSB)
Area codes
Brunei doesn't use separate area codes in the traditional sense -- the first digit of the landline number indicates the district:
| First digit | District |
|---|---|
| 2 | Brunei-Muara (capital area, BSB) |
| 3 | Tutong |
| 4 | Belait (Seria, Kuala Belait -- oil towns) |
| 5 | Temburong |
Since the country is small (about the size of Delaware), all four districts are reachable within the same 7-digit numbering scheme.
Mobile carriers in Brunei
Brunei has one dominant mobile operator and one smaller competitor. For a country of 450,000 people, that's enough.
DST (Data Stream Technology)
A subsidiary of Telekom Brunei Berhad (the state telecoms company). DST is the main mobile operator and has been around since 1995. It runs the 4G LTE network covering most populated areas. Numbers typically start with 7 or 8. DST also provides broadband internet and is the default choice for most residents. Prepaid SIMs are available at DST stores and the airport.
Progresif
Launched in 2014 as a second mobile operator to introduce competition. Owned by Darussalam Assets (a government-linked investment company). Progresif uses the same 7/8 prefix range. It has been gaining market share with competitive data plans and has full 4G coverage in urban areas. Coverage in Temburong district (the separated eastern part of Brunei) can be thinner compared to DST.
Both operators use GSM/LTE standards. International roaming works well with Malaysian carriers since many Bruneians cross into Sarawak regularly for shopping and travel.
Don't confuse +673 with nearby codes
+673 is a fairly unique code, but a few Southeast Asian codes can trip people up:
| Code | Country | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +60 | Malaysia | Brunei is physically surrounded by Malaysia. Many Bruneians have Malaysian phone numbers too, and the country codes are sometimes mixed up in contact lists. |
| +63 | Philippines | Starts with 6-3 vs 6-7-3. There's also a large Filipino worker population in Brunei, so these codes appear side by side in address books. |
| +65 | Singapore | Both are small, wealthy Southeast Asian nations. Singapore numbers are also 8 digits (vs Brunei's 7), but the 6-5 vs 6-7-3 codes look similar at a glance. |
| +672 | Norfolk Island | Off by one digit. Unlikely real-world confusion, but an easy typo. |
The most common real-world confusion is between +673 (Brunei) and +60 (Malaysia) since the two countries share a land border and many people carry SIMs from both.
Time zone considerations
Brunei uses Brunei Darussalam Time (BNT), which is UTC+8. No daylight saving time. This is the same time zone as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Perth.
| Your location | Time difference | When it's 10:00 AM in Brunei |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | BNT is +13 hours | 9:00 PM previous day |
| US West Coast (PST) | BNT is +16 hours | 6:00 PM previous day |
| London (GMT) | BNT is +8 hours | 2:00 AM |
| Sydney (AEDT) | BNT is -3 hours | 1:00 PM |
| Tokyo (JST) | BNT is -1 hour | 11:00 AM |
The time gap to North America is large. From the US East Coast, your best bet is calling around 7-8 AM EST, which is 8-9 PM in Brunei -- late but still reasonable for personal calls. For business calls, 9 PM EST (10 AM BNT next day) catches the start of the Brunei workday.
Communication in Brunei
Business hours
Government offices are open Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 7:45 AM to 12:15 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Friday and Sunday are the weekend in Brunei (Friday is the Muslim day of prayer). Private businesses often follow a Monday-to-Saturday schedule instead, with Friday hours shortened. Banks close at 3:00 PM. During Ramadan, working hours shift and many offices close earlier.
Communication style
Brunei is a formal, hierarchical society. Titles matter -- "Haji" and "Hajah" (for those who've completed the Hajj) are common, and royal titles have specific protocols. Business calls tend to be polite and indirect. Don't rush to the point; a few minutes of pleasantries are expected. Malay is the official language, but English is the working language in most businesses, especially in the oil and gas sector. WhatsApp is the default messaging app for both personal and business communication.
Network quality
Voice call quality in Brunei is good. The country is small and flat (mostly), so 4G coverage reaches nearly all populated areas. Temburong district, separated from the rest of Brunei by a strip of Sarawak, used to have weaker coverage but has improved since the Temburong Bridge opened in 2020. International call routing is reliable -- Brunei's telecoms infrastructure punches well above its weight, funded by oil revenue. VoIP services work without restriction.
Who calls Brunei?
Bruneians abroad
Brunei's diaspora is small. The country's generous welfare system means fewer people leave permanently compared to neighboring countries. Most Bruneians abroad are students -- the government sponsors thousands of students at universities in the UK, Australia, and Malaysia each year. These students maintain regular contact with family back home. There's also a small business community in Malaysia and Singapore.
Oil and gas workers
Brunei's economy runs on oil and gas (about 60% of GDP). Brunei Shell Petroleum, TotalEnergies, and other international energy companies have operations in the Belait district. Expatriate workers from the UK, Australia, India, and the Philippines regularly call home from Brunei, and their employers' overseas offices call in. The Seria and Kuala Belait area codes (starting with 4) get a disproportionate share of international call traffic for this reason.
Filipino and other foreign workers
About 20% of Brunei's population is foreign workers, with Filipinos being the largest group. Teachers, healthcare workers, and domestic workers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh make up much of the service economy. Phone calls home are a weekly routine for many of these workers.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Brunei (DST)
Your contact's number is 712 3456.
- From a US mobile: +673 712 3456
- From a US landline: 011-673-712-3456
- From Malaysia: 00-673-712-3456
Calling a Progresif mobile
The number is 818 7654.
- From a UK phone: 00-673-818-7654
- From a US mobile: +673 818 7654
Calling a Bandar Seri Begawan landline
A government office in BSB has the number 238 1234.
- From a US mobile: +673 238 1234
- From a US landline: 011-673-238-1234
- From Singapore: 001-673-238-1234
Calling Kuala Belait (oil town)
A Shell office in Kuala Belait has the number 433 5678.
- From a US mobile: +673 433 5678
- From Australia: 0011-673-433-5678
Common mistakes to avoid
Dialing a Malaysian number instead
Brunei is physically surrounded by Malaysia, and many Bruneians carry Malaysian SIMs (especially Celcom or Maxis) for cross-border use. If someone gives you a number starting with +60, that's their Malaysian SIM, not their Brunei one. Ask which number they're currently using.
Adding a trunk prefix that doesn't exist
Brunei has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the local number. If a landline in BSB is 238 1234, the international format is +673 238 1234 -- not +673 0238 1234. Adding the 0 will either fail or connect to the wrong number.
Calling on Friday (the weekend)
Brunei's weekend is Friday and Sunday. Government offices are closed both days. Private businesses are sometimes open Saturday and Monday through Thursday. If you're trying to reach a government office, don't call on Friday -- it's the Muslim day of prayer and everything is shut.
Forgetting the Ramadan schedule
During Ramadan, business hours change significantly. Offices open and close earlier, and afternoon productivity drops. If you're making business calls during Ramadan, aim for the morning (before noon BNT). The exact Ramadan dates shift by about 10 days each year.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +673 code?
Brunei (officially Brunei Darussalam). Every phone number starting with +673 is a Bruneian number.
How many digits are in a Brunei phone number?
All Brunei phone numbers are 7 digits after +673, whether mobile or landline. A complete international number is always +673 + 7 digits.
Does Brunei have a trunk prefix?
No. Brunei does not use a trunk prefix. Dial the 7-digit number directly after the country code. No leading 0.
What language should I expect when calling Brunei?
Malay is the official language, but English is widely spoken in business, government, and education. In the oil and gas sector, English is the default working language. You can generally conduct business calls in English without issues.
How much does it cost to call Brunei?
With CallSky, calls to Brunei start at $0.15/min (Economy) or $0.28/min (Premium), for both landline and mobile. No subscription required.
For more dialing guides, see the full country code directory. You might also find these related guides useful: Malaysia (+60), Singapore (+65), and Philippines (+63).