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Indonesia internet: Best options to stay connected
Travel SIM cards, eSIMs, international carrier plans, and pocket WiFi are the top options for mobile internet in Indonesia.
Whether you’re visiting Indonesia for a short holiday or a prolonged stay, having mobile internet access is a must. It allows you to find your way around using map apps, communicate with locals through translation apps, or simply share your favorite moments on social media.
But what’s the best option to stay connected in the country? Follow along as we take a look at the main Indonesia internet service providers as well as global, tourist-oriented options.
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Internet in Indonesia: The bigger picture
According to SpeedTest research, Indonesia ranks 83rd in the world when it comes to mobile internet speed. With a median download speed of 29.50 Mbps, it’s in the upper half of all countries included in the research.
That said, the quality of mobile internet in Indonesia will depend on your network provider. It’s worth mentioning that 5G coverage is still quite sparse and you’ll have to depend on 4G or slower speeds a lot during your stay.
On top of internet speed, Indonesia is also known to have had its fair share of internet censorship. While it’s nowhere near the level of China or North Korea, blocks and restrictions aren’t unheard of.
For example, on the 22nd of May, 2019, the Indonesian government shocked social media users by banning Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram outright. While the ban only lasted three days, it does show that the government can impose internet restrictions at times.
Now that you know the basics about internet in Indonesia, let’s take a look at the best options for staying connected in the country.
Prepaid SIM card for Indonesia
For some time now, using travel SIM cards has been one of the top options for internet users to stay connected. There are both local and international SIM card options on the market, though local SIM cards are the more popular choice.
You’ll be able to buy a SIM card in Indonesia at dedicated stands in most airports, as well as larger convenience stores or dedicated corner shops around the country. It’s worth mentioning that the pricing for prepaid cards can be a bit of a tourist trap, with prices often being much higher in touristy areas.
Using such cards is easy, simply pop out your regular physical SIM card and replace it with the travel SIM. If your phone has a dual SIM feature, you can add the local SIM card without removing your main one. Without dual SIM, you won’t be able to use your regular card, which isn’t exactly ideal if you want to use WhatsApp or other apps linked to your phone number.
Many tourist SIMs are data only and don’t include a local phone number for phone calls or SMS messages. If you must have that, there are some options that offer this feature, just be prepared to pay extra to get it.
Mobile internet companies in Indonesia
If you plan to stay in Indonesia for a while, you might want to get a plan with a local mobile internet provider instead of opting for travel options. You can get a contract with a local carrier, just as you would at home, and get a local phone number with a predetermined amount of data, phone calls, and SMS messages every month.
Let’s take a look at some of the best telecommunications providers in Indonesia right now.
Telkomsel
Telkomsel has the largest cell service and internet infrastructure in Indonesia, which means that, on average, it offers the best coverage and internet penetration. If you plan on visiting quite a few remote areas, it’s the safest option to go with. That said, you shouldn’t expect 5G internet speeds and flawless coverage away from the major cities.
Indosat
Indosat is well known throughout Indonesia for offering plenty of features and solid coverage in most parts of the country. That said, its coverage isn’t as vast as that of Telkomsel, so make sure to check out Indosat’s coverage map to make sure it’ll work in your area before committing to the service.
Tri Indonesia
Tri Indonesia is fairly popular in different parts of Asia, mainly thanks to relatively low prices compared to other competitors. The company offers all types of plans, though the coverage may be lacking, especially in more remote areas.
International eSIM for Indonesia
You can’t beat an eSIM when it comes to convenience and ease of use. That’s one of the main reasons why using an eSIM has become the go-to mobile internet option for millions of travelers worldwide. On top of that, it’s also cheaper than most other alternatives, such as tourist eSIMs, pocket WiFi, or paying data roaming charges.
You do need an eSIM-compatible device to use it, but with most mobile phones supporting eSIM technology nowadays, that shouldn’t be an issue.
eSIM Indonesia by Holafly
If you’re looking for the best eSIM for Indonesia, look no further than Holafly. All Holafly plans include unlimited data, so you don’t have to worry about running out and losing connection at the worst time.
On top of that, Holafly works with multiple local networks, including Telkomsel, Indosat, and Excelcom. It automatically connects to the network that has the best coverage in your area, so you can roam around Indonesia freely, knowing that your mobile internet needs are taken care of.
Holafly offers completely flexible plan choices, allowing you to exactly match your stay and avoid paying for any days you don’t need. The selection ranges from 1 to 90 days, and the value for money increases with the longer plans.
| Days of use | Amount of cellular data | Price (USD) |
| 1 day | Unlimited | $5.90 |
| 5 days | Unlimited | $20.90 |
| 10 days | Unlimited | $36.90 |
| 15 days | Unlimited | $50.90 |
| 20 days | Unlimited | $61.90 |
| 30 days | Unlimited | $74.90 |
| 60 days | Unlimited | $106.90 |
| 90 days | Unlimited | $138.90 |
Advantages of using Holafly in Indonesia
- Simple activation process. You’ll receive a QR code immediately after your purchase. Scan it and follow the prompts to activate your eSIM in a couple of minutes.
- Flexible plan choices. Pick any number of days in the range from 1 to 90 and avoid overpaying for any extra days of coverage you won’t use.
- Data sharing. Enjoy having 500 MB of data sharing daily to keep multiple devices connected at once.
- Best coverage. The Holafly eSIM works with the best Indonesian carriers to provide excellent coverage.
- Plan ahead. You can purchase your eSIM months before your trip and simply activate it once you arrive, avoiding the stress of looking for a way to get connected in Indonesia.
- Keep your regular card. Since eSIMs are completely digital, you get to keep your personal SIM card in your mobile phone and use it with WhatsApp or receive international calls during your trip.
- 24/7 customer support. Holafly offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, so you can always get immediate help if you have questions or issues with the service.
Disadvantages of using Holafly in Indonesia
- All Holafly eSIMs are data only, so you don’t get a local Indonesian phone number for calls or SMS messages.
- As with all eSIMs, Holafly only works on eSIM-compatible devices.
Data roaming on your regular SIM card
What if you don’t want to buy an additional SIM card or an eSIM service for your stay in Indonesia? Well, you always have the option of enabling data roaming on your phone and connecting to the internet that way. However, it’s by far the most expensive option out and can end up costing you more than the entire trip if you’re not careful with your data usage.
Here are a few examples of what you can expect to pay for data roaming in Indonesia with different telecommunications services.
Verizon
Just as with O2, Verizon users in Indonesia have several roaming options to choose from. You can get a TravelPass for $12 USD/day, which includes unlimited data, calls, and messages in 210+ destinations worldwide. You can also get an international monthly plan at $100/month for the same perks.
If you go with the pay-as-you-go service, it’ll charge you $2.05 USD/MB, or $395.65 for an average 5-minute video on YouTube.
Telstra
Telstra is a popular cell service provider in Australia that offers two roaming options for travelers.
You can get an International Roaming Day Pass at the price of AU$10 (~$6.70 USD) a day, which includes 2 GB of data and unlimited calls. Alternatively, you can use data roaming without any additional pass, but that’ll cost you AU$4 (~$2.70 USD) for each MB of data. That’s about AU$6,000 (~$4,000 USD) to watch a movie on Netflix.
O2
O2, a popular provider in the UK, offers you even more options. If you choose their O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate Bolt On plan, you can enjoy unlimited data, calls, and messages free of charge, but the plan itself adds quite a lot to the monthly costs of your service, so it’s only worth it if you’re traveling abroad often.
Users with the regular O2 Travel Bolt On can pay a fee of £6/day (~$7.80 USD/day) to get the same perks. If you’re on a regular plan, you can pay £18 (~$23.30 USD) for 100 MB, £26 (~$33.70 USD) for 500 MB, or £45 (~$58.30 USD) for 1 GB of data.
If you choose not to pay for any of these plans, the pay-as-you-go option costs £7.20/MB (~$9.30/MB). According to our app data usage research, a 5-minute scroll through Facebook would cost you £468 (~$606.76). So, if you frequent social media platforms, you’ll probably want to get a data plan instead.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi offers yet another alternative for mobile internet access in Indonesia. You can rent a portable WiFi device and keep it with you to create your own WiFi network and connect multiple devices at once.
While it is a viable solution for groups of travelers, if you’re traveling solo or in a small group, it’ll inevitably be more expensive and less convenient than other alternatives, such as using an eSIM.
You can choose from companies like Travelers WiFi, My Webspot, Cello Mobile, or MioWiFi. All of them can deliver the pocket WiFi device to your door, but with prices starting at $70/week plus shipping and return charges, it’s far from the cheapest option out there.
On top of that, you’ll be charged a penalty ranging from $100 to $250 if you lose or damage the device.
Free WiFi
Free WiFi shouldn’t be your main option for staying connected in Indonesia, though it’s worth keeping in mind in case you lose connection on your data plan and need to get online.
Public hotspots aren’t plentiful in the country, though you’ll typically find them in restaurants or hotels. You can use it to hop on your favorite digital platforms, get in touch with friends and family, or buy an eSIM card so you can maintain an internet connection wherever you go.
Which mobile internet option should you choose?
If you have a phone that supports eSIM technology, using an eSIM from Holafly is your best bet. Not only is it cheaper and more convenient than other mobile internet options, it also works with multiple network providers in Indonesia, ensuring the best coverage no matter where you are.
If you can’t use an eSIM, consider buying a travel SIM card or getting a roaming plan with your regular service provider. Just make sure to avoid pay-as-you-go data roaming like a plague, as it’s by far the most expensive way to stay connected.
