Area Code 26 – Brunei Muara

Overview of Brunei's +673 26 Geographic Prefix

The +673 26 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to fixed-line telephone services in the Brunei Muara District, the smallest but most populous district in Brunei Darussalam. This district houses the national capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural hub. The prefix is used for landline numbers within this area, connecting both residential and business subscribers to the PSTN.

Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Brunei Muara District is one of four districts in Brunei, and the +673 26 code covers the capital city and its surrounding urban and suburban areas. Key locations served by this prefix include:

• Bandar Seri Begawan (the capital)
• Kianggeh and Berakas areas
• Gadong, a major commercial district
• Jerudong, known for its recreational park
• Mentiri and other residential zones

Administratively, the district is divided into several mukims (subdivisions), and the 26 prefix is allocated to fixed-line services within these areas. It is important to note that this is a geographic code, meaning the number is tied to a physical location, unlike mobile or VoIP prefixes.

Dialing Formats

For callers within Brunei, the national dialing format is simply the eight-digit subscriber number, which includes the NDC. For example, a local call to a number in Brunei Muara would be dialed as:

Local dialing: 26XXXXXX (where XXXXXX is the six-digit subscriber number)

For international callers, the full E.164 format must be used. The country code for Brunei is +673, and the NDC is 26. The international dialing format is:

International dialing: +673 26XXXXXX

When dialing from abroad, you must replace the leading zero if present (though Brunei numbers do not have a trunk prefix like many countries). For example, to call a number in Brunei Muara from the United States, you would dial: 011 673 26XXXXXX (using the US exit code 011). From the UK, you would dial: 00 673 26XXXXXX.

Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations

Brunei's numbering plan does not currently have overlay codes for geographic areas; each district has its own distinct NDC. The 26 prefix is exclusively used for Brunei Muara, and there are no plans for overlay as the number supply is sufficient. However, with the growth of IP-based services, some numbers may be used for VoIP, but the geographic association remains.

Caller Instructions

For local callers, simply dial the eight-digit number. For international callers, always include the +673 country code and drop any leading zero (which does not exist in Brunei's format). Ensure you have the correct exit code for your country. For example, a call from Australia to a Brunei Muara landline would be: 0011 673 26XXXXXX.

It is also worth noting that while mobile numbers in Brunei begin with 7 or 8, the 26 prefix is strictly for fixed lines. If you are unsure whether a number is fixed or mobile, the prefix will help you identify it.