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How to get mobile internet in Bali: What is the best option?
Are you looking for information to use mobile internet in Bali? Here's the guide you need to know is the best option for you!
October 26, 2023
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Looking for information about how to get cellular internet when visiting Bali? Well, then, you are in the perfect place. Here, you will learn everything related to the different alternatives available for those who want to visit Bali.
There are many options for people to use, but one is actually the best alternative and the one that will become the favorite for future trips. Let’s talk more about that!
eSIM for Bali
Buy an unlimited data eSIM for Bali with 5% OFF. Code: MYESIMNOW5
Alternatives to connecting to the Internet in Bali
When visiting Bali, there is more than one alternative to use when it comes to staying connected. Nowadays, cellular internet has become a must-have, so eSIMs, SIM cards, free WiFi, roaming, and other options are part of the list.
Let’s discuss the details consumers should know about these services and how to get the best of them when traveling.
The Bali eSIM card: a new and great alternative
Haven’t you heard about eSIM before? Well, there’s nothing to worry about if that’s your case. Nowadays, one of the most important options for people to use is eSIMs, also known as digital SIM cards for some people. These have become the favorite for those who have a last-gen device.
What’s best about the eSIM is the ease of buying as many as needed. For example, Holafly Indonesian eSIMs are the perfect example of this!
Where can I get an eSIM card with mobile data for Bali?
What’s best about Bali is that, with the Holafly eSIM, getting one will take less than a few minutes!
Prices and data plans:
- 5 days $19.00 – Unlimited data
- 7 days $27.00 – Unlimited data
- 10 days $34.00 – Unlimited data
- 15 days $47.00 – Unlimited data
- 20 days $54.00 – Unlimited data
- 30 days $64.00 – Unlimited data
- 60 days $84.00 – Unlimited data
- 90 days $99.00 – Unlimited data
What do I need to buy an eSIM card?
What you need to do first is to make sure that your device is compatible with eSIMs. There are many different smartphones and cellphones out there that come with this technology, but that’s not the case for every single device available out there.
So, before you get to buy an eSIM, try checking out whether your device is compatible with an eSIM or not! Also, the second thing you will need to do is to check if your device comes with unlocked bands!
You want to know if this is the case; try out the SIM card from another cellular operator? If the SIM card works, then you have an unlocked device. If the SIM card is not working, then try out unlocking it before traveling so you can get any service from any of the different cellular carriers without any issues!
What does the Holafly eSIM card include?
- Access to the best cellular networks in Bali: Hutchison 3 Indonesia and Telekomunikasi Selular
- Speed: 3G/4G/LTE
- Data plan: Unlimited
- Plan Type: Prepaid
- Calls: through Apps (VOIP)
- You keep your WhatsApp number.
How do I activate the Holafly eSIM card?
Activating an eSIM is very easy. Of course, all of this is done after the purchase process is completed. The eSIM will be sent to your email in a QR code, which you will scan using your device in order for the eSIM to be activated.
After this is done, do not activate the roaming until you arrive in Bali. Once you are there, you can activate it, and the service will start working immediately! Also, for iOS users, you can complete the process through the Holafly app.
SIM card for Bali
When it comes to using a SIM card, the best alternative for people to use is verified local cellular operators. There are different options available for travelers to use there, such as the following:
- Indosat Ooredoo
- Smartfren
- Telkomsel
- XL Axiata
These SIM cards can be bought in different places. The good thing is you will surely find where to buy one while leaving the airport, which can help you to stay connected even before you arrive at the hotel. Remember that you surely need local currency to buy a SIM card!
It is a bit complicated, and that’s why we recommend people use a different alternative. In this case, the eSIM for Bali from Holafly is surely the best alternative as it helps people to stay connected in record time!
How do I know if my cellphone will work with a SIM card in Bali?
Keep in mind the following aspects before traveling:
What are frequency bands?
When talking about frequency bands, customers need to know what they are. These are the radio frequency that allows cellphones to connect to the internet. Basically, without them, people wouldn’t be able to do many daily tasks without a WiFi connection.
What is compatibility?
Compatibility is the effectiveness with which devices connect to these frequency bands when it comes to the different 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. But to make things clear for everyone, it is better for them to know which network frequencies work in Bali so travelers can know whether their cellphone is compatible or not.
As for now, the following frequencies are the ones operating in Bali and the ones that will work with cellphones there.
- 2G: GSM 18000
- 3G: UMTS 900, UMTS 2100
- 4G: LTE 900, LTE 850, LTE 1800, LTE 2300
Before traveling, check out whether your device will work with these frequencies or not. That way, you can thoroughly enjoy your trip to Bali!
Roaming service in Bali
One of the most common alternatives for people to use in most countries worldwide is a roaming service. It happens to be an alternative offered by many different cellular companies, making it easier to get compared to other services.
The thing with the roaming service is how expensive it can be. It shouldn’t be a surprise for people to find that these rates are quite high in most cases. To clear this up, let’s make a comparison of some cellular companies.
| Operator | Cellular data | Connected calls |
| AT&T | $2.05/MB | $3.00/min |
| T-Mobile | $15/MB | $0.25/min |
| Vodafone | $7.2/day | $1.79/min |
As seen in the table, there’s no doubt prices are a bit higher than expected for some people. There’s no doubt that paying up to $15 for every consumed MB is quite a lot. Even though there are lower prices, like the $6 rate from Vodafone, it is not such a good deal due to how much it can end up costing.
That’s where, once again, the eSIM becomes a better option due to its price and how it will help people stay in contact while visiting Bali.
Pocket WiFi to get internet in Bali
One of the oldest alternatives for people who are in Bali that can be used nowadays is a pocket WiFi device. These are easy to rent and offer an overall good connection, but they can be pretty expensive.
The good thing is that more than one person can use these devices, but that will also depend on how many people you’re traveling with and how many actually decide to use the Pocket WiFi.
Why is Pocket WiFi not the best option?
As said before, Pocket WiFi devices are rented. Even though someone can decide to buy one, it is not something common to see. The bad thing about these devices is how much people can end up paying, especially if they lose the device, as there’s a penalty fee in these cases.
Free WiFi
Lastly, the final option is to rely on free WiFi. Is it a suitable option for travelers? It can end up being a practical option in some cases, but it is not recommended to fully rely on it. This is because WiFi is not always available, so that can complicate things a bit for travelers.
Still, this is a great option for people to keep in mind to save some money, as it can be helpful in some situations.
Comparison table between the different alternatives to get mobile internet in Bali
Even though most of these services are pretty similar, there are some differences to mention. Let’s see what each one of them offers to make a choice to travel to Bali with the best internet connection available.
| Characteristics | eSIM cards | SIM cards | Roaming | Pocket WiFi | Free WiFi |
| Is it easily accessible? | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Great connection? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Unlimited internet? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Additional cost? | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Can I share cellular data with other devices? | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Do I have to pay if I lose it? | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Easy usage and installation? | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Which is the best alternative to connect to the internet in Bali?
Up to this point, the eSIM is the best alternative for travelers to use when going to a place like Bali. Do you need more reasons? Here are some:
- eSIMs from Holafly offer unlimited cellular data.
- eSIMs are activated with a QR that’s sent to your email.
- The activation process to use an eSIM takes less than 5 minutes.
- There’s no need to pay monthly fees to use an eSIM.
- eSIMs can be bought online from anywhere in the world.
- There’s no need to use a SIM card to use an eSIM.
- People won’t need to change their WhatsApp number for the eSIM to work.
- There’s no need to spend more than expected, thanks to eSIMs.
- eSIMs work with the best cellular frequencies available.
