🔀 For Everyone

Internet & Mobile Coverage in Sabah (Celcom, Digi, Maxis)

Last updated: 7 October 2026

Internet in Sabah has improved significantly but remains behind Peninsular Malaysia in coverage and speed. Urban areas like Kota Kinabalu offer reliable 4G, fibre broadband, and growing 5G options. Rural areas face patchy coverage, and some remote villages have no service. This guide covers mobile networks, home broadband, SIM cards, and options for remote workers and digital nomads.

ℹ️ Coverage Reality Check

MCMC says internet coverage reached 98.71% of Sabah's populated areas as at 28 February 2026, up from 73.41% before the JENDELA programme (Nabalu News, checked 7 October 2026). 5G covered 68.9% of populated areas on the DNB network and 63.9% on U Mobile's network as at 31 May 2026 (Bernama, checked 7 October 2026). See our infrastructure page for more. Even so, Sabah's rugged terrain and dispersed settlements mean some villages still have little or no signal. Urban KK has good coverage; rural areas are hit-or-miss.

Mobile Networks

The main mobile operators are CelcomDigi (formed by the merger of Celcom and Digi), Maxis, U Mobile and unifi Mobile. For 5G, Sabah is served by two networks: Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and U Mobile's own network, which U Mobile began rolling out in July 2025 (The Star, checked 7 October 2026).

Provider	What to know
CelcomDigi	Celcom and Digi now operate as one company, CelcomDigi.
Maxis	Prepaid is sold under the Hotlink brand.
U Mobile	Runs its own 5G network, which covered 63.9% of Sabah's populated areas as at 31 May 2026 (Bernama, checked 7 October 2026).
unifi Mobile	Can be bundled with Unifi home fibre.

💡 Provider Choice

Check each operator's coverage map for your home, workplace and regular routes before you commit. Many users keep two SIM cards from different operators for backup coverage in areas with weaker signal.

Home Broadband

For permanent residency or remote work, home fibre broadband offers faster, more reliable speeds than mobile data. Availability varies by location; check coverage before signing a lease. Prices below were listed on each operator's website on 7 October 2026 and change often.

Provider	Technology	Speed (Up to)	Plans listed
unifi (TM)	Fibre	2 Gbps	30 Mbps to 2 Gbps; 100 Mbps at RM99 a month recommended retail price (Unifi)
Maxis Home Fibre	Fibre	2 Gbps	100 Mbps to 2 Gbps (Maxis)
CelcomDigi Fibre	Fibre	2 Gbps	300 Mbps at RM139 to 2 Gbps at RM319 a month, less RM10 for CelcomDigi postpaid customers (CelcomDigi)

⚠️ Check Before You Buy

Always verify broadband availability at your address before signing a rental agreement. Use provider coverage checkers or call their customer service. Not all providers cover all areas, even in central KK.

Coverage by Location

Kota Kinabalu (City Center & Suburbs)

Good 4G coverage from the main operators, with 5G in central areas. Fibre broadband is widely available. Recommended: fibre home broadband plus a mobile backup.

Larger Towns (Sandakan, Tawau, Kota Belud, Lahad Datu)

Generally good 4G coverage in town centres. 5G is patchier. Home broadband is available in central areas but may be unavailable in outlying neighbourhoods. A backup option is recommended.

Small Towns & Villages

Mobile coverage can be weak or intermittent, and some settlements have no service at all. Fixed broadband is often unavailable. Satellite internet such as Starlink is the most practical option in many of these areas.

Rural & Remote Areas

Some villages have no cellular coverage. Satellite internet (Starlink) may be the only option. Some remote areas may have no internet access whatsoever.

Real-World Speeds

Advertised speeds often differ from actual speeds, and mobile speeds drop at busy times. No official body publishes typical speeds for Sabah by area, so run a speed test at the address you plan to rent, at different times of day, before you commit. Fibre gives the most consistent results for video calls and work from home.

SIM Cards for Visitors

Where to Buy

Airport kiosks: Convenient on arrival.
Convenience stores: Available in cities and towns.
Mobile provider shops: Best selection and staff knowledge.
Supermarkets: Often sell SIM cards at the customer service counter.

What You Need

Under MCMC rules in force since 26 February 2026 (Malay Mail, checked 7 October 2026):

Your original passport, and visa if applicable. Photocopies, photos or scans are not accepted.
Tourists may register up to two prepaid SIMs per operator.
A tourist SIM can be used for up to three months from registration.

Choosing a Prepaid Plan

Operators change prepaid plans and prices often. Compare current tourist and monthly plans on the CelcomDigi, Maxis Hotlink, U Mobile and unifi Mobile websites, or ask at the counter which plan suits the length of your stay.

💡 Tourist SIM Strategy

For a short visit, a weekly or monthly prepaid plan is usually enough, and you can top up if you run out of data. Airport kiosks are convenient even if the choice is smaller, as you are connected from the start of your trip.

Digital Nomad Tips

Best Areas for Reliable Internet

Kota Kinabalu (Central & Likas): Best WiFi infrastructure, coworking spaces, cafes, and fibre broadband availability. Ideal base for remote work.

Downtown/Damai: More cafes and coworking options than residential suburbs. Good for freelancers seeking community.

Sandakan, Tawau: Some coworking and cafe WiFi but fewer options than KK. A mobile data backup is recommended.

Rural areas: Not suitable for digital nomads unless you have satellite internet. Limited coworking and patchy internet.

Coworking Spaces in Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu has several coworking spaces with day passes and monthly memberships. Rates, opening hours and WiFi quality change, so check directly with each space before you go. For long stays, a monthly membership is usually better value than daily passes.

Cafe WiFi Culture

Many cafes offer free WiFi but quality varies. It is fine for casual browsing but not always reliable for video calls. Some shopping malls also have free WiFi zones.

Backup Plans

Dual SIM phone: Keep SIMs from two operators for coverage redundancy.
Mobile hotspot: Carry a portable 4G/5G router for backup data.
Starlink: If you are staying somewhere without fibre for a long period, consider Starlink for reliability (see plans below).
Workspaces with strong networks: Coworking spaces usually have business-grade connections, making them safer for critical work.

Starlink & Satellite Internet

What is Starlink?

Starlink is satellite internet by SpaceX. It uses low-orbit satellites, so it is much faster than traditional satellite internet and works for video calls in most conditions.

Is Starlink Available in Sabah?

Yes. Starlink sells service plans in Malaysia, including Sabah. It is most useful in Sabah's rural areas where fibre and mobile data are unavailable or weak.

Monthly Plans

Starlink Malaysia's residential plans as reported in June 2026 (Lowyat.NET, checked 7 October 2026). The kit is a separate one-off cost; check current kit prices on the Starlink Malaysia website.

Plan	Monthly Cost (RM)	Download Speed (Up to)
Residential 100	135	100 Mbps
Residential	235	400 Mbps

Pros & Cons

Pros: Works almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Fast compared with traditional satellite internet.

Cons: Upfront kit cost on top of the monthly fee. Heavy rain can affect the signal. Needs a clear, unobstructed view of the sky, which is harder in dense city areas. Usually more expensive than fibre in urban KK.

Is Starlink Worth It?

Rural Sabah: Often yes, where fibre and mobile data are unavailable or weak. Recommended for remote workers.
Small towns: Maybe. First check whether mobile data plus a hotspot meets your needs, as it is cheaper.
Kota Kinabalu: Unlikely. Fibre is usually cheaper. Use Starlink only if you move frequently or need redundancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Is internet in Sabah reliable?

Internet in Sabah is reliable in urban areas like Kota Kinabalu but less so in rural towns and villages. MCMC says internet coverage reached 98.71% of populated areas in Sabah as at 28 February 2026, but some remote settlements still have weak or no signal. Home fibre broadband (in KK and larger towns) is the most stable option for work.

Q Which mobile provider has the best coverage in Sabah?

It depends on where you live and travel, so check each operator's coverage map for your address. For 5G, Sabah is served by two networks: Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) covered 68.9% of populated areas and U Mobile 63.9% as at 31 May 2026. U Mobile started rolling out its own 5G network in July 2025.

Q How much does a monthly mobile plan cost?

Prices and data allowances change often, and operators run frequent promotions. Compare current prepaid and postpaid plans on the CelcomDigi, Maxis (Hotlink), U Mobile and unifi Mobile websites before you buy.

Q Can I use my phone from overseas in Sabah?

Yes. If your phone is unlocked, you can buy a local prepaid SIM. Tourists must register with their original passport (and visa, if applicable), can register up to two prepaid SIMs per operator, and the SIM can be used for up to three months from registration. Check your phone supports Malaysian 4G and 5G bands before travelling. Roaming on your home plan is usually more expensive than a local SIM.

Q What is Starlink and is it worth it in Sabah?

Starlink is satellite internet that works anywhere with a clear view of the sky. In June 2026 Starlink Malaysia offered Residential 100 at RM135 a month (up to 100 Mbps) and Residential at RM235 a month (up to 400 Mbps), plus the cost of the kit. In rural Sabah where fibre and mobile data are weak, it is often the most practical option for remote work. Urban residents usually find fibre cheaper.

Q Which home broadband provider is fastest in Kota Kinabalu?

unifi, Maxis and CelcomDigi all sell fibre plans of up to 2 Gbps. Entry prices differ: Unifi Home 100 Mbps has a recommended retail price of RM99 a month, and CelcomDigi Fibre starts at RM139 for 300 Mbps. Which provider is available depends on your building, so check coverage at your address before signing up.

Q Do I need to register my SIM card?

Yes. Under MCMC rules that took effect on 26 February 2026, prepaid SIMs must be registered in person with original ID. Tourists show their original passport (and visa, if applicable); photocopies or photos are not accepted. Tourists may register up to two prepaid SIMs per operator, valid for up to three months from registration.

Q Where can I find coworking spaces with good WiFi in Kota Kinabalu?

Kota Kinabalu has several coworking spaces offering day passes and monthly memberships. Check current rates, opening hours and WiFi speeds directly with each space, as these change. Cafes and shopping malls also offer free WiFi, though speeds vary.