BBYB Lifestyle 2026

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One app, onemeter,
less headache
Brunei’s smart way to pay for utilities
ENERGY& SUSTAINABILITY
Ever had that mini heart attack moment
when the electricity runs out at night,
and you realise you forgot to top up your
meter? Or stood in line juggling two utility
bills wondering why paying for water and
electricity feels like a full-time job?
Well, Brunei has flipped the switch on all
that chaoswith the Unified Smart Metering
System (USMS).
This isn’t just another system with a long
name and complicated instructions. It’s
actually a pretty smart (and dare we
say, life-improving) way to manage your
electricity and water, all rolled into one
easy-to-use, prepaid system.
WHAT IS USMS ANDWHY
SHOULD YOU CARE?
In short, USMS is a digital utility meter that
helps you keep track of both electricity and
water usage with a single account.
It operates on a prepaid basis, meaning you
load up credit before using utilities. Think
of it like topping up your phone, except this
time you’re powering your home.
CONTROL FREAKS, REJOICE:
IT’S ALL ON THE APP
You can check your balance in real time,
track your usage patterns, and receive
alerts before your credit runs out, all
from the comfort of your home. No more
squinting at analoguemeters or waiting for
the next paper bill to arrive. Just a clean
display of howmuch you’ve used and how
much credit remains.
Topping up is easy. You can do it online or
the old-school way. Use the USMS app or
website at visit a DES or JKR
counter, dial *144# through DST, or stop
by authorised banks, telcos, and outlets.
SMARTER SPENDING
The first 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of
electricity used each month are billed at
just one cent per kWh, which is an absolute
steal. As usage increases, so does the rate.
Between 601 and 2,000 kWh, the rate jumps
to eight cents per kWh; from2,001 to 4,000
kWh, it’s 10 cents; and for anything above
4,000 kWh, expect to pay 12 cents per kWh.
This means the more conservative you
are with your electricity use, the more
affordable it becomes. Some users top up
in small amounts twice a month to stay in
the lowest pricing tier. Others set reminders
every fortnight to check the portal, keeping
them one step ahead of power cuts and
overuse.
FROM ‘SET-AND-FORGET’
TO SMART LIVING
The shift to the USMS smart meter has
been ongoing since October 2022 and
has now reached most homes in Brunei.
Some say the real-time alerts have saved
them from being plunged into darkness
mid-dinner. Even those who were initially
sceptical admit that it’s far more reliable
than fumbling with tokens or scrambling
to find a counter before a long weekend.
With one meter for both electricity and
water, there’s no more juggling separate
bills. The prepaid system gives you control
over what you spend and when.
30 BORNEO BULLETIN YEARBOOK 2026