Mobile communications and Internet in Bali. Mobile communications in Bali and Internet Mobile Internet in Bali

What cellular operators exist in Bali and what SIM card to buy is of interest to any person who has decided to travel to Indonesia.

For the modern world, having the ability to communicate (without depending on distance) has long been a proven and necessary thing. The main thing is to know the rules and mobile communication options that exist in a particular location.

mobile connection

Living without a phone, especially in a foreign country, is now impossible. Most often, for its normal functioning, the option of connecting to roaming services is used. This is done before departure using your existing SIM card. The main thing is to remember that a positive balance, taking into account the cost of a call home, is up to 100 rubles. for a minute conversation, there should always be.

The second option (popular among tourists) is to purchase a local SIM card. It is not difficult to purchase a SIM card here. No passport or other document is required. Almost every store has special departments for selling them, a network of cellular communication stores, and ordinary local merchants. You need to know that the cost of purchasing at the airport will be much higher (sometimes 10 times). The average price of a SIM card is 15,000 Indonesian rupees ($1.5). It must be activated in your presence immediately after purchase. Top up your account in mobile phone stores, shops, kiosks. They say the word “PULSA” and after answering “yes” they start depositing money. or with a group of friends, it is recommended to purchase a SIM card from the same operators, of which there are a lot on the island. Popular cellular operators in Bali are PT Smart Telecom and Telkomsel (convenient Simpati tariff).

Call rules:

1. The cost of domestic calls within Indonesia is determined from 1 to 2 thousand rupees (3.6 rubles per minute). At night the call costs significantly less.
2. A minute of conversation with Moscow and St. Petersburg costs 25 rubles. An SMS message will cost 20 rubles. The cheapest option for calls to Moscow is made from Wartel Telecom points (after 23:00 call prices are significantly reduced). To talk from a pay phone, you need to purchase (at a supermarket, post office, newsstand) a telephone card.
3. A little advice. When you call Russia using Telkomsel, you first need to dial one of the codes (01-01-177 or 01-019-7), then the city code (sometimes the operator), and the subscriber number. If, for example, the subscriber has the number +7 903 111 11 11. Instead of the “plus”, you need to dial a code. It turns out 01017 7 903 111 11 11 (two sevens are next to each other). This cunning combination reduces the cost of conversation with Russia. It is equal to 7.5 rubles. in a minute. The XL Axiata card code is a set of numbers 01000.
4. The country code in the International System is +62. Bali's code is digit order 361. They are dialed when calling the island from any other country. For internal calls, “0” is dialed instead of +62.
5. Emergency phone numbers: medical assistance 118, police 110, fire service 113, information 108.
6. To check your balance, dial *888# (TELKOMSEL), *123# (XL).
7. There are universal SIM cards for inexpensive communication without a monthly fee and limiting the life of the card. They are considered convenient for frequent trips to the island. An example is the “Whole World” international SIM card, covering over 100 countries. Its cost is 1000 rubles.

Internet services have recently appeared on the island. The quality of communication in each area is different and is determined by the capabilities of the provider and its coverage map. Having chosen a place to live, you need to find out in detail all the information about Internet speed and payment rates for it. In general, the service is not expensive and costs $5 for 2-5 gigabytes. For stays of up to a month, they most often use a monthly tariff for a SIM card costing from 20,000 to 50,000 rupees ($2-4). Payment for the Internet package is 60,000 rupees ($5) for 30 days. It is better to buy a package for 2 GB by paying 100,000 rupees. Part of the traffic will be used for calls and SMS messages. This helps to avoid the unpleasant fact when, after the end of the money, debits begin at other, more expensive rates.

Many operators can connect several Internet options with different quotas at once. Telkomsel sells 1GB Internet 4G with 4G/LTE + 1.3Gb Data Local options for 50,000 rupees. In Bukit + 200Mb Flash (3G). If the phone catches 4G, the first quota is spent, if edge/3G works, then the last quota is used. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand everything at once, so it is recommended to often check to see if there is still balance left for the Internet or to pay more. The availability of the Internet and its speed are checked when choosing a place of residence.

There are about 50 Wi-Fi hotspots in Bali. If you have a laptop, it is easy to connect and use in cafes, hotels, and restaurants. In any region covered by cellular communications (EGDE/3G), you can use a modem purchased here. A SIM card from a local operator will allow you to work with the Internet for the required time.

Unlimited Internet using a 3G modem is provided by several mobile operators. The most popular are Smart and Broadband. The average cost of their services is $33 per month.

The main ways to access the Internet in Bali are:

1. Via ADSL telephone cable.
2. Using fiber optics. This applies to densely populated areas of Bali such as Kuta and Seminyak. Connection is expensive.
3. Through a radio channel. A common method is by installing an antenna. Cable network connections are currently used the least on the island.

To choose a method for connecting to the Internet, it is useful to compare information about several providers:

1. Offer from a Russian-speaking company with high wireless tariffs. Provides stable Internet access during long periods of work. Very good service by company operators.
2. Jetcoms is a wireless operator. The contract lasts for one and a half years. The price of a megabit is 1.25 million rupees.
3. Costs about 1 million. for 2 megabits, 2.2 million for 5 megabits. There are many positive reviews about the operator's work.
4. Telkom Speedy. Cable connection using ADSL technology. The average cost is $180 for 3Mb/sec.
5. XL (GSM).

Modern communication options operating in Indonesia can be studied in detail on numerous provider websites. You won’t be bored here without communicating with your family. Those wishing to spend a long time on the island, such as winter, are provided with excellent accommodation.

In this article you will learn where to buy a SIM card, how to contact relatives cheaper, and where to call in extreme situations.

Best mobile operator in Bali

Today, several “mobile giants” operate in Bali, but Telkomsel and XL Axiata Tbk are considered the most convenient operators for foreigners. Market leaders are distinguished by a wide coverage area, decent signal quality and reasonable prices for services.

Each company has its own competitive advantage. In particular, the big advantage of the XL Axiata Tbk is the available Internet and 3G support, and Telkomsel provides trouble-free network operation via Wi-Fi and EDGE.

Where and how to buy a SIM card

Before buying a SIM card, you need to understand exactly where and how often you plan to call, and also decide whether you will need different SIM cards for local calls and calls abroad, or whether one will be enough.

For tourists traveling with family or company, it will be more profitable to take SIM cards from the same operator and sign up for a group tariff.

You can purchase a SIM card in communication shops, cell phone stores and sales points along the main city roads. We do not recommend that you rush and buy a SIM card from Balinese sellers at the airport, since in this case you risk being deceived in price.

An Indonesian SIM card will cost approximately 15-25 thousand rupees ($1.5-2), although in popular tourist places prices may be higher, so do not forget to bargain so as not to overpay. To avoid further incidents, it is better to ask the salon assistants to activate the SIM card on the spot before you go about your business.

It is advisable to top up your balance when purchasing a SIM card, since the amount in your account will not be enough for calls abroad. It is better to have at least 100-150 thousand rupees ($7.5-10) or more in your account.

Calls home

If you want to inexpensively call home in Russia or the CIS countries from a local number, it is better to do this using IP telephony. Each mobile operator has its own codes: for Telkomsel, you need to press “01017” before the country code and dial the ten-digit number.

If you have a SIM card from XL Axiata Tbk, dial the code 01000. You will get approximately the following combination of numbers if you are calling to Russia: 01000-7-XXX-XXX-XX-XX. A conversation using the above method will cost quite cheap - about 2.5 thousand rupees (about 10 rubles) per minute of conversation. The price of an SMS message to Russia will be approximately 700 rupees (≈ 3 rubles).

When calling landlines, use 001 to access an international line, then enter the country code, city and dial the number.

What's the best way to call Indonesian numbers?

A minute of conversation within Indonesia will cost approximately 1.5 thousand rupees (6-7 rubles). After midnight, calling is much more profitable: the price of a minute drops by almost 2 times, and an SMS will cost about 150 rupees (0.6 rubles).

To call local numbers, you must first dial the international area code +62, and then the operator code and phone number.

If you are calling another subscriber within the network, then the code +62 must be replaced with zero. And the dialed number will look like this: 0 812 XXX XXXX.

Mobile Internet in Bali

Despite the fact that the island has long been “digitized”, and Internet technologies here are developing by leaps and bounds, the quality of the signal and connection speed are still far from ideal, and it “catch” best in popular tourist locations, as well as in hotels and restaurants.

Today it is difficult to imagine your life without the Internet, including during your holiday in Bali. There are no problems with him on the island. You can use mobile Internet, find wi-fi in hotels and rented houses. In this article I will talk about the best mobile operators and Internet providers, as well as which Internet is best to use while on vacation.

Wi-fi is available in almost every hotel. It generally works quite well by local standards. If you are going to rent a house in Bali, then check in advance whether there is internet. I always rent houses with Internet, checking its speed in advance.

If you like the house, but there is no Internet, then you can connect it yourself or ask the owner to do it. To connect to home Internet, you must take into account the location of your home. There are more than enough Internet providers on the island, but not all of them can boast of good Internet speed in the place where you need it.

Home Internet on the island is not the cheapest, so it is recommended to connect it if you decide to spend at least six months in Bali. The cheapest monthly tariff will cost $20, a more or less high-quality one can cost from $80 to $100 (1 megabit speed). For comparison, in our countries a package with a speed of 20 megabits costs 10-15 dollars, but for Bali such efficiency is not yet available.

Main providers on the island:

1. Smartfren is considered the most affordable, so you will hear about it everywhere. It catches almost everywhere, it works from a regular SIM card, so you don’t have to tie it to a specific house, but use it anywhere. One of the disadvantages is the unstable speed, which in the evening and on weekends is generally reduced to a minimum. Traffic is limited, so it is not suitable for watching movies or videos.
2. Speedy from Telkom has proven itself on the positive side. The only drawback is that to connect it you must have a telephone in the house. In Bali, connecting to a telephone line is quite rare, plus there is a restriction on the availability of free lines. In general, if you have a telephone in your home, then you are truly lucky. The provider is famous for its more or less stable speed and relatively low tariffs for Bali.
3. Biznet/Max3 has won many positive reviews, but, unfortunately, does not cover the entire island. For example, in Bukit you will not be able to connect to a provider. Offers good speed at an attractive price.
4. CBN works from an antenna that is installed on the roof of the house and distributes a signal. It works stably and has a wide coverage area. To connect, just leave a request on the website. The technical service responds quickly.
5. Global Extreme connects both using an antenna and a dedicated cable. Despite the fact that the package is paid for monthly, the provider obliges you to conclude a contract for a year.

Mobile Internet

For tourists, mobile Internet is an ideal solution. Firstly, you will not be tied to a specific location, secondly, you can always stay in touch, thirdly, you do not need to pay for its installation, plus maintenance is inexpensive. There are several operators on the island that offer good coverage and attractive prices.

Before choosing one or another operator, you need to carefully study the tariff conditions, since some of them may distribute part of the traffic at night.

Note! You won't find good unlimited Internet tariffs in Bali. Some companies set a speed limit after a certain volume has been exhausted. Some people immediately set the speed to low.

Almost all cellular operators in Bali, as well as throughout Indonesia, work on the principle: you need to purchase an Internet package, which is connected additionally. The validity period of such packages can be from several days to several months. If you don’t buy the Internet, then its tariffs will cost you a large sum; you will have to deposit money into your account regularly. When the validity period expires, the package is purchased again.

Which operator should you choose?

In order to choose a mobile operator for yourself, you need to know what they generally exist in Bali.

1. Telkomsel is the most popular operator on the island and offers competitive rates. His SIM cards are sold everywhere. The card itself costs about 20 thousand rupees, a monthly Internet package for 3-4 GB will cost 50-60 thousand. If this volume is not enough for you, then you can purchase a 20 GB package, but its cost is about 800 thousand rupees. The operator has coverage throughout the island, but internet speeds may vary depending on your location. A capacity of 3-4 GB is enough for a month, unless, of course, you plan to spend days on YouTube or download movies from the Internet. You can monitor your traffic and balance using your personal account, which can be accessed even from a mobile phone.
2. XL is another well-known operator, it offers faster Internet, but its coverage area is much smaller. One of the most profitable is the night tariff, which provides 12 GB of Internet for 50 thousand rupees. This is a good choice for those who like to spend time on the phone after an active day or prefer watching movies. The operator also creates a personal account where you can track the status of your package or change it to more favorable rates.
3. Tri/Three– this operator provides the most stable Internet speed, it is beneficial to use it, for example, if you work on the Internet. The speed is about 4-7 megabits, which is pretty good for an island. The operator offers many Internet packages ranging from 1 to 30 GB. As practice shows, it is most profitable to purchase a new SIM card each time and connect an Internet package to it than to regularly top up the old one. But this scheme is only suitable for those who do not need a specific phone number. Another drawback of the operator is that SIM cards are not sold everywhere. They are difficult to find in regular market stalls. But they can easily be bought in a large supermarket or operator’s office, one of which is located in Denpasar.
4. Indosat– its coverage is practically no different from Telkomsel, but the operator offers an order of magnitude better speed. In places where there is LTE coverage, its speed can reach up to 30 megabits/second. The most popular Internet package costs about 50 thousand rupees, and 3 GB is provided for use. And if you purchase an additional package to the main package, you can even save a little. Cards from this operator are also not sold everywhere; it is best to contact the office. A nice bonus of the Internet package is an unlimited extensive Wi-Fi network with speeds of up to 20 megabits.

Which mobile operator to choose depends on your goals and place of residence. I lived in Ubud and only used mobile Internet to look at Google maps, check email or access social networks, so I chose Telkomsel. I was quite satisfied with the quality of services.

Prices

Mobile Internet in Bali is inexpensive. Depending on the operator, the cost of a 3-5 GB package will cost an average of $5, which is approximately 60 thousand rupees. If you deposit 100 thousand into your account, you will still have money left for calls and messages.

The cheapest internet is offered by Telkomsel. For 50 thousand rupees you can get 2 GB. This volume will be quite enough if you need the Internet to check mail, social networks and other small operations. You can’t watch films and videos with such volume.

Where to buy a SIM card?

Buying a SIM card will not take you much time. They are sold everywhere and, most importantly, you do not need a passport or other document to purchase it. If you decide to get a SIM card during the first stages of your vacation, you can do this right at the airport.

If you decide to wait a little, then go to any store that sells mobile phones and accessories for them. Tell the seller the name of the operator. They will also help you on the spot with the activation of both the starter package and the Internet.

You can deposit money into your account in the same shops where they sell phones. You will need to say “pulsa” (balance), name your operator and show your phone number. After you top up your account, check your balance immediately to avoid any unpleasant situations.

• The average cost of a SIM card on the island varies between 20-30 thousand rupees. If you see the cost is too high, then it makes sense to look elsewhere. In tourist areas, prices are often increased, hoping for a generous tourist.
• If you replenish your balance through special kiosks, it is better to immediately check the receipt of money into your account. To top up a SIM card, you need to give your phone number, it’s better to write it down and give it to the person who will top up the balance.
• If you come to Bali for a long time, you can contact the official office to purchase a SIM card. It is better to take your passport with you so that it can be issued in your name right away. If you lose your card, you can always have it restored.
• If the SIM card is not used for several months, it will be canceled and you will have to purchase a new one.

We got acquainted with all the intricacies of the Internet in Bali. This information will help you choose the best mobile operator or Internet provider.

Bali is a strange and unusual island in all respects, but with telephone communications they have the same as everywhere else. Many Russian operators have a roaming zone on the island, and there are telephone booths at every step.

Landline telephone service

As in any European country, you can make a call to Russia from any Balinese hotel. Such pleasure, however, costs a decent amount of money.

Another thing is the usual telephone booths that work with prepaid cards. They can be found both on the street and at the post office. If you urgently need to send a fax, contact the WartelTelecom office. Here the money will be withdrawn from you only after you hang up. By the way, calls on holidays and at night (after 23.00) are charged at a lower rate.

Telephone department "WartelTelecom"

About mobile communications and the Internet in Bali

As already mentioned, you can come to Bali with your own MTS. Just a minute of communication will be very expensive - about $2.7/min.

The Russian Beeline occupies a leading position in terms of roaming: 0.9 $/min for local calls and calls to Russia and 0.4 $ per 1 SMS when registering on the TeLKomSel website. The latter is a partner of Beeline.

Those who travel a lot to different countries can be advised to purchase a “Goodline” or “SimTravel” tourist card.

Tourist card ""Goodline""

The cost of an incoming call to Russia is $0.95 and $0.3, respectively, and an outgoing call is about $0.95.

It makes sense to get a local SIM card. The most popular and reliable operators in Bali include Telkomsel and XL. The second one has a slightly worse coating quality. The cost of starter packages ranges from $15 to $30, the account balance is approximately $0.5. In some tourist areas, prices for the same SIM cards go up to $75. After purchase, be sure to ask the seller to activate the card. The easiest way to top up your phone is by number.

Logo of the Indonesian mobile operator "Telecomsell"

The “SimpatiPe De” tariff from “Telkomsel” is very profitable. A minute of conversation with Moscow will cost about $0.8, and an SMS message - $0.6. The “Simpati” account is topped up with the “Simpati voucher” card, which is sold in mobile phone stores.

""simPATI"" - the number 1 choice among tourists, as well as local residents

Let us tell you a little trick. To call even cheaper from “Simpati”, before the Russian phone number, dial the following combination of numbers: “01-01-177”, and then the city code/operator code/subscriber number. Try these other IP telephony codes: “01-019-7” and “01-017-7”. In these cases, the cost of a minute of communication will be $0.24.

Mobile communication on the island itself costs a penny: from 6.00 to 18.00 every 12 seconds up to 48 seconds - $0.2, the next 12 seconds up to an hour of conversation - $0.06. From 18.00 to 06.00 - $0.18 for the first 12 seconds up to 108 seconds, the next 12 seconds up to an hour of conversation - $0.06.

Having bought a SIM card, do not forget to connect to the GPRS mobile network, since Wi-Fi in Balinese hotels is frankly difficult: the speed is a snail’s pace, and the money is exorbitant. But mobile operators' traffic packages are quite reasonable - which is very convenient for accessing the network from your own number.

You can get free Wi-Fi in almost any cafe and restaurant on the island, as well as at the free Internet counters at Denpasar airport. The speed is pretty decent.

How to call from Russia to Bali?

To call Bali, follow this dialing procedure: 8 (beep) - 10(international line) - 67 (Bali code)- city/operator code - subscriber number.

When calling from a mobile phone, simply dial +67 (Bali code) - codecities/operator - subscriber code.

How to call from Bali to Russia?

To call a mobile phone, dial: 01017 (IP telephony code) - 7 (RF code)- operator code - subscriber number.

For calls to a landline telephone, the digital combination is as follows: 001 (international line) - 7 (RF code)- city ​​code - subscriber number.

*If you are calling from the hotel, you must first dial “9”.

Telephone codes Bali:

O. Bali Denpasar - 361;

Jakarta - 21 .

In case of emergency:

Police - 110;

Ambulance - 118;

Fire Department - 113;

Help Desk - 108.

Just a couple of years ago, the Internet and mobile communications in Bali were not very developed; there were practically no providers to choose from. Now there are so many operators that it is difficult to understand them.
With the help of tips from this article, you will learn how to call Bali, how to use the Internet and how, while on this island, you can always stay in touch with the greatest benefit for yourself.

mobile connection

Mobile communications in Bali are very cheap, so it makes sense to purchase a local SIM card. Buy SIM cards in communication stores; if you do this at the airport from the hands of helpful local merchants, then it may cost you 10 times more, and besides, it may be from another region, for example, from Java. Roaming in Indonesia is not free with all companies.

The cost of a SIM card is 10,000 - 20,000 rupees (30-60 rubles), with about 5,000 already in your account.

Advice: be sure to ask to immediately activate the SIM card in front of you. Doing it on your own can sometimes be difficult, especially if you use tablets.

There are a great many telecom operators in Bali, as already mentioned. But the most popular of them are Telkomsel (Simpati tariff) and XL Axiata Tbk (or XL for short). Their coverage area covers almost all of Indonesia, and both companies have approximately the same tariffs. Except that XL has cheaper internet, but slightly worse coverage.

By the way, all Russian cellular operators provide roaming in Bali. Beeline is even a partner of Telkomsel, but purchasing local SIM cards is still more profitable.

Advice: if you come with a group, buy cards from the same operator.

The international dialing code for Indonesia is +62. If you need to make a call to Bali from abroad, then the number may look something like this +62 821 11 33 44 55. There are some peculiarities in how to call Bali from a local SIM card: “+62” in this case must be replaced to “0”. Then the number looks like this: 0821 11 33 44 55. Bali's telephone code is 361.

Mobile tariffs

Calls within the country will cost you 1000-2000 Indonesian rupees (3-6 rubles) per minute, the night rate (from 18.00 to 6.00) is almost twice as cheap. SMS - 150 rupees (50 kopecks).

Calls to Russia: a minute of conversation with Moscow will cost about 25 rubles, and an SMS message will cost 18-20 rubles. Tip: if you are calling Russia from Telkomsel, first dial the IP telephony code “01-01-177” or “01-019-7”, then the city code or operator code, then the subscriber number. This trick reduces the cost of a minute of conversation with Russia to 7.5 rubles. For XL, the IP telephony code is 01000.

To check your balance you need to dial *888# (for TELKOMSEL) and *123# (for XL). Advice: you can top up your account not only in communication shops, but also (in the evening and at night) at food kiosks. You need to approach the seller and ask: “PULSA?” If you were answered in the affirmative, it means that here you can be provided with the service of replenishing your account.
The card is valid for 365 days from the date of the last balance replenishment.

Internet

If it is important for you to always and everywhere stay in touch with the world via the Internet, then in Bali you will not have to compromise your principles.

Wi-Fi is found everywhere on the island in restaurants and cafes, sometimes access to the network is included in hotel services, and if you rent a villa, you will most likely have your own dedicated line.

Many operators offer unlimited packages of varying validity periods and USB modems. For many, having a 3G modem is seen as the optimal solution, because then the Internet will always be at hand. However, if you do not need to work on a computer, you can limit yourself to buying a SIM card and use the Internet through your phone.

Internet from the SmartFren provider took first place in terms of popularity among tourists. This company provides one of the fastest Internet in Bali. A SmartFren 3G modem can be purchased for 500,000 rupees (1,500 rubles), the price includes an unlimited Internet package for a month from the date of purchase. Speed ​​- 3.1 Mbit/sec. In the future, the same package can be activated for 90,000 (280 rubles) per month.

Advice: promptly renew the package at the end of the month by calling the company or using a combination of numbers, otherwise the money after the month may be written off at absolute rates, and not as part of the package.

The same Simpati tariff from Telkomsel, described above, provides access to the Internet for 50,000 rupees (150 rubles) for 2 weeks or 100,000 (300 rubles) for a month. The speed fluctuates around 2 Mbit/sec. The monthly package is positioned as unlimited, but in fact, once it reaches 1 GB, the speed drops significantly. But fortunately, you can always update it by depositing additional funds into your account.

In addition to these two providers, at least 15 more companies offer their Internet packages. On average, a month of active use of the network, depending on the operator, will cost approximately from 600 to 1,500 rubles.

Advice: Internet work that requires a stable 3G connection speed is best completed before 19.00, after which it is rush hour in Bali and only the most patient can work.

Don't forget about the Internet cafe. The cost is about 4000-5000 rupees per hour. I will also add that there are quite a lot of Internet cafes where you can pay 4-5 thousand rupees per hour (about 15 rubles), the speed is unpredictable.

Stay connected and on the wave!