5 Cellular Providers in Indonesia, Which One is the Best?

Smartphones have become inseparable from our daily lives. With smartphones, we can easily access maps, shop, book activities, and make payments. No matter where we are, there's this urge to keep up with what's occurring in this fiercely competitive world. When you're visiting other countries, this urge doesn't magically disappear. After all, quenching one's curiosity is fundamentally human. As a result, you need to pick a mobile service provider that works in your destination country.

To optimize the use of your smartphone in Indonesia, you need a cellular network provided by the provider Indonesia. Use good judgment by considering Indonesia internet speed, efficiency, and cost. Which is the best cellular provider in Indonesia?

There are many cellular service providers in Indonesia. To help you find one that suits your need, we have compiled a list of the best cellular service providers in Indonesia:

1. Telkomsel

First, we have Telkomsel, the largest provider in Indonesia. Telkomsel has continuously invested in Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) throughout Indonesia, resulting in more coverage. In fact, Telkomsel has the most coverage and is the only mobile service provider operating in every province. Even if you’re in a remote area, you’re likely to still have a signal. However, Telkomsel charges the most among its rivals, given its superior area coverage, quick internet, and crystal-clear phone quality.

2. Indosat

IM3 Ooredoo, better known as Indosat, is the second-largest provider Indonesia. They have fantastic broadband packages and excellent phone call quality. Every network provides a fast internet connection as well. Their service covers the major Indonesian islands of Java, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Sumatra. You can easily buy prepaid SIM cards from authorized retailers, reputable resellers, or convenience stores.

3. 3 (Tri)

Next, we have 3 (Tri). As a provider Indonesia, 3 offers the second lowest prices compared to its big rivals. Sadly, they have the least amount of coverage. However, you can still count on them thanks to their good signal. 3 has some fantastic promotions despite their low prices. You can enjoy a longer validity period when most data plans expire after 30 days. Furthermore, if you haven’t used up all the data for this month, it will be rolled over to the next month.

4. XL

The third-largest mobile service provider in Indonesia is XL Axiata, which covers about 90% of Java, Bali, and Lombok. Some cities in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi are also covered. Unfortunately, it only covers a very small area of Papua. XL’s connection speed is relatively fast. They even offer faster 3G service than Telkomsel. You can buy prepaid SIM cards from authorized retailers, authorized resellers, and convenience stores with varying credit levels.

5. Smartfren

The smallest and cheapest mobile service provider Indonesia is Smartfren. It was previously a CDMA mobile provider, but has since switched to a GSM 4G/LTE network. Today, Smartfren is a 4G/LTE-only mobile operator because it lacks a 2G or 3G network. Consequently, Smartfren has the least coverage since it’s a 4G/LTE mobile operator without a 2G or 3G fallback. However, you can receive service if you live in major cities.

How to Use the Service?

Using the cellular service from those providers mentioned above is relatively easy. Generally, you can follow these methods below:

1. Buy the Phone Credit in Indonesia

There are numerous methods for purchasing and topping up phone credit from your cellular provider. You can visit the place where you bought the card. If it’s not possible, look for other places that sell prepaid SIM cards. Mostly, they sell phone credit as well. Generally, these places will charge an additional service fee on top of the amount of credit you purchase.

2. Subscribe to A Mobile Data Plan

Another way to use the service is to subscribe to a monthly plan. You can do it using applications like Flip. There are many digital product services from Flip to support your financial activities. Top up your phone credit and mobile data daily, weekly, or monthly from various providers in a matter of seconds.

Even though nowadays you can easily find a coffee shop or restaurant that provides free Wi-Fi connections, using cellular service is still a must in Indonesia. Avoid bad connections on the go by choosing the best internet provider Indonesia and optimize your smartphone functions.

People also read: How to Send Money from Indonesia Using Flip

And if you need to buy phone credits, data packages, and electricity tokens, you can do it for a lower price on Flip. Download Flip at the Google Play Store or App Store to make your life more convenient!