Indosat SIM Cards & eSIM for Tourists: How to Get and Activate 2024

For travelers who plan a trip to Indonesia, having convenient access to communication and Internet services is essential. In the country, Indosat, Telkomsel, and XL Axiata are the major mobile network providers. To get a stable Internet access, tourists can obtain affordable prepaid Indosat SIM cards or opt for an Indosat eSIM plan.

This article aims to provide details on where and how to acquire these services, and guidance on choosing the ideal package for your trip in Indonesia.

I. Overview about Indosat Indonesia – What You Need to Know

Indosat is Indonesia’s world-class internet and telecommunications business, formed by merging Indosat Ooredoo and Hutchison 3 Indonesia.

• Founded: in 1967
• Full company name: Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison
• Types of services: cellular/ mobile, broadband Internet, Multimedia Data Internet services.
• Coverage: Indosat’s network covers most areas of Indonesia through agreements with partners
• Number of users:  Indonesia’s second-largest carrier, with over 58 million subscribers as of late 2018
• Distribution: Shops and dealers selling Indonesia SIM cards can be found all over Indonesia, from cities to small towns.
• Customer support: 24/7 support line
• Language: Indonesian, English

II. Indosat Coverage in Indonesia

• Indosat’s 4G network currently covers over 70% of the population across the country.
• Coverage includes all major cities and provinces like Jakarta, Bali, Sumatra, etc.
• The network covers highways and ferry routes.
• Indosat has slightly less coverage in remote areas than Telkomsel (1st) and XL Axiata (2nd).

III. Indosat Speed in Indonesia

• Average download speed: 18.2Mbps (Opensignal, Dec 2023)
• Average upload speed: 9.3Mbps
• Consistent quality: 64.8% (highest, ahead of Telkomsel 61.7% and XL 58.7%

► So in summary, Indosat is a reliable option for most tourists to Indonesia. Indosat offers reasonably good coverage throughout Indonesia and great consistent quality. Its download and upload speeds are enough for tasks like maps, messaging, and social media.

IV. Does Indosat Have eSIM in Indonesia?

Yes. Definitely! Indosat offers eSIM for compatible phones. Indosat eSIM allows tourists to access the Indosat network on their phones without needing a physical SIM. 

Advantages of eSIM:

• Flexibility: You are not tied to a single physical SIM. You can have multiple carrier profiles on your phone and switch between them seamlessly.
• Travel-friendly: If you travel abroad, an eSIM makes it simple to purchase short-term data plans in foreign countries right from your phone settings.
• Easy and practical as it optimizes the dual SIM (physical SIM & eSIM) on your phone

V. Top Indosat SIM Cards for Tourists

Here are some of the prepaid tourist SIM card options offered by Indosat:

Plan	Data	Validity	Cost
Travel On 30GB	30GB & 10 call minutes (domestic & to 50 countries)	30 days	IDR 100,000 – USD 6.4
Travel On 80GB	80GB & 30 call minutes (domestic & to 50 countries)	30 days	IDR 200,000 – USD 12.8

VI. Where to Buy Indosat SIM Cards and eSIM?

Tourists can purchase Indosat SIM cards and eSIM at the following locations:

1. Where to Buy Indosat SIM cards for Indonesia:

When you land at Indonesia airports

• Pros: convenient, immediate Internet connection upon arrival 
• Cons: rates are a bit higher than in the cities and towns
• Location: buy Indosat SIM cards at Denpasar (Bali) – I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport – Indosat Ooredoo kiosk in the international arrival hall.

Indosat stores and authorized retailers:

Indosat has a variety of stores and retailers across cities and towns so it is easy for you to buy Indosat SIM cards. These shops offer a full range of SIM card plan options with reasonable pricing. 

• Pros: widely accessible across Indonesia, budget-friendly rates
• Cons: need to locate and commute to the stores.

2. Where to Buy Indosat eSIM for Indonesia?

Tourists can get Indosat eSIM through:

• Online service on Indosat official website
• MyIM3 application
• Commute to the nearest Indosat outlet

This way is straightforward; however, requires you to bring your passport or ID document for verification and SIM card registration.

VII. Where to Buy Indosat Indonesia eSIM for Tourists?

Gigago offers Indosat eSIM plan options for tourists without identity check. Tourists using eSIM services from Gigago can connect to Indosat’s widespread networks and enjoy 4G speed data at the most budget-friendly price. Gigago’s eSIM plans for Indonesia start at 1GB a day for 5 days with just $2.90 and range between $2.90 – $81.50 . No matter how long your Indonesia trip is and how much GB of data you use, Gigago always has the best eSIM option for you.

VIII. How to Top-up Indosat SIM/eSIM

You can top up your Indosat prepaid SIM/eSIM via the following channels:

Online Top-up

Access the “Top-up” section on the Indosat website or MyIM3 app to top up your SIM. Use credit/ debit card for payment.

Physical Top-up

• Get to the Indosat shops or retailers to top up your account
• Select an amount and provide the phone number you want to top up. Store staff will help you top up
• Choose payment method (cash/credit/debit card)

Indosat Ooredoo is a popular mobile provider in Indonesia, known for offering good prices and reliable coverage in most areas. They have many different SIM card packages, so you can find one that fits your needs, whether you use a lot of data or mostly talk and text.

But dealing with physical SIM cards can be a bit annoying, especially when you’re traveling. For a more convenient and secure option, think about using an eSIM instead. 

IX. FAQs about Indosat SIM Cards and eSIM in Indonesia

X. Conclusion

To sum up, Indosat SIM cards and eSIM offer tourists a cost-effective and easy Internet connection when traveling throughout Indonesia. Indosat’s broad coverage and consistency prove invaluable for everything from navigation, communication, and travel updates to sharing adventures on social media. Remember to choose the connectivity option and data plan that best suit your needs and trip duration.