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Hand Phones / Mobile Phones:
Cellular Phones in Indonesia
Recent years have seen enormous development in the infrastructure and usage of cellular telephones (cell phones/mobile phones/smart phones) in Indonesia, known in Indonesia as hand phones, or HP (pronounced hah pay). Just as in your home country, these gadgets have become indispensable part of business and personal life.
Many companies in Indonesia provide hand phones for their managers. They may also pay part or all of your phone bill. If your work keeps you out of the office a lot, or requires you to be in constant communication, you may want to ask your firm if they will provide you with a hand phone.
Because of the affordable cost of having and operating a handphone, almost everyone now considers this a “must have” device. Although the model of the phone that top executives have most likely has many more features and capacity than their colleagues, people from all walks of life including domestic staff, drivers, delivery people will most likely have a hand phone in Indonesia.
Update - Registering your HandPhone
Choosing a hand phone
A wide variety of hand phones are available for purchase in Indonesia. Internationally known brands predominate the market. The latest models with all the new features are available in Indonesia. Samsung and iPhone are the current market leaders however Xiao Mi, utilizing an android operating system is quickly gaining market share. Often a new model will be launched in Asia before it is available in the west. The major brand names have dealers/distributors who handle the sales of their phones in Indonesia. Dealers/distributors have kiosks or shops in the major malls or sell their wares through counters in electronics goods stores. Most of the major international brands have customer support stores in many areas of the city to provide help and training on how to use the features of their phones. In Jakarta, ITC Roxy Mas is currently considered the center for handphone sales as the entire building is occupied with hand phone dealers. Prices range from Rp 800,000 to Rp 12 million (7/2016).
Some hand phones purchased abroad will work in Indonesia, as long as you subscribe to the operator that utilizes that phone system in Indonesia. For example, if you own a GSM phone, you can subscribe to Telkomsel (Simpati, Kartus As, karto Halo), Excelcomindo (ProXL/Axis), 3 (Hutchison HCPT), Indosat (Mentari, IM3). Or if you own CDMA phone, you can subscribe to Smart Telecom (Smart), Telkom (Flexi), Indosat (Indosat ooredoo) or Smart Fren. Changing your phone number is as simple as buying a new “kartu telepon” or chip card (kartu sim perdana) from your Indonesian operator. The products vary regarding costs of domestic and international calls and SMS, as well as costs for minimum “top up” and international roaming.
Some older chips will not necessarily work in newer model phones and visa versa. With the advancement of technology and the capabilities on the newer phones, they are requiring a more advanced chip to operate them. Hand phones purchased in Indonesia will only work abroad if they are capable of using the operating system in that country. This is a factor to consider if you do a lot of traveling and want to use your Indonesian hand phone on your trips outside the country.
Top of the line hand phones (and operators) include many practical features:
- frequently called phone number list
- voice mail box - to leave messages
- call diverting and call waiting
- screening of calls
- alarm, calculator, exchange conversion and games
- data transmission via PC, Email, or the internet
- customized phone ring tones
- cameras
- MP3
- GPS
- video recording
- video clips
- and more ...
Weight of the phone is another
important factor. Some phones are down to 143 grams. The battery is the
heaviest element of the phone.
Paying for your Calls
You do not need to subscribe to a service if you use a pre-paid SIM card, often referred to as purchasing "pulsa". These cards can be purchased from phone kiosks and other vendors and used directly. There are several ways to get hooked to a network, and all phone sellers can get you online instantly. You do not need a contract, and a simple pay-as-you-go type SIM card will give you a line and number.
Phone SIM cards are issued by the cellular phone system operators. They are issued with a phone number recorded within the card. There are two types of phone SIM cards:
- Pre-paid card - when the amount already paid for runs out, you can purchase more “pulsa” through a kiosk or store that sells the refill pulsa. You actually purchase an activation code (printed on a card) which you punch into the phone. Pulsa can also be purchased through ATMs, and also directly through your handphone - the amount purchased is then debited from your bank account. Most providers, support a function that enables pulsa to be transferred from card to card. This means that a person using the same provider can then send their pulsa to another card. Different operators issue these cards under different brand names. The card may cover a limited area (e.g., Greater Jakarta, East Kalimantan, etc.), all of Indonesia or even sometimes international roaming. Ask the operator about the limitations of the card's coverage. It is more common for pre-paid card users to purchase a card in the country that they are visiting, and usually cheaper that way as well. Some pre-paid cards have a time limit as well as cost limit.
- Post-paid system - the SIM cards are based on an abonement or basic monthly charge, plus the usage and all relevant taxes which are billed to your billing address and payable monthly. Requirements for these types of cards have tightened considerably as the incidence of delinquent subscribers increases. Some service providers offer “family abonement” plans or "office plans", in which the main user is charged the normally monthly service rate, but other listed family members or employees receive greatly reduced monthly service fees. The cost of the phone calls remains the same.
Because of the fierce competition between Indonesian cell phone companies, they often offer special deals or packages during holiday seasons. Pulsa rates vary depending on the promotions that are available. Some credit card companies have set up a program in which they offer free abonement to their customers indefinitely as long as they can continue to use their credit card.
Pulsa refills
Look for the sign that says "Jual Pulsa" (selling pulsa). You can get your pulsa refilled through a bank, or go to an Carrefour, Lottemart, Indomart, Alfa Mart/Alfa Midi and then tell the cashier that you want to "tambah pulsa". You pay them the amount after you tell them your phone number and after your receive a text confirmation that the amount has been added, you're done! Pulsa can also be purchased at all ATM machines. You can also refill through street vendors, but you'll often find that they've "shared" your number with others and you'll see an increase in spammy text messages.
Upgrading your Cell Phone
If you want to upgrade your current hand phone, you can still keep the same phone number with GSM phones because the phone number is contained within the microchip and not the phone itself, therefore the phone number moves with the chip to the new phone. If you buy a new hand phone using the AMPS system, the new phone can be reprogrammed in order to keep your old phone number.
Security
There are two ways to protect yourself from the consequences of theft if you are using a hand phone. You can program a PIN number into your hand phone card. Persons using the phone card would have to know the code to utilize the card, thus preventing unauthorized persons from running up your phone bill. The second way is through a security code which is programmed into the phone and protects your phone from use with unidentified SIM cards. The thief could continue using the hand phone by replacing your card, however his phone calls would not be billed to your bill.
If your phone is stolen, report the theft to your service provider and your phone number can be blocked so that no one can run up your phone bill. Then, request that your new card have your old phone number programmed into it, to be used with your new hand phone! Some companies will require a police report to do this If your phone is stolen, the thief could just throw away the card and put in a new card if the phone isn't programmed to reject unidentified SIM cards.
Cellular phone system operators
Cellular phone systems in Indonesia are operated by eight different private companies, all of whom are partially owned by the government phone company, Telkom. Once you have purchased a hand phone, you need to subscribe to one of these services:
Company |
System* |
Phone Prefix |
Pre-Paid Card |
Post-Paid Card |
| Indosat | GSM | 0815- 0816- 0856- 0857- 0858- |
Mentari IM3 |
Matrix |
| Telkomsel | GSM | 0811- 0812- 0813- 0852- 0853- |
Simpati Kartu As |
Kartu Hallo |
| XL | GSM | 0817- 0818- 0819- 0859- 0877- 0878- 0879- |
XL | PRO XL |
| 3 | GSM | 0896- 0897- 0898- 0899- |
Three | Three Pasca Bayar |
Axisworld |
GSM | 0831- 0838- |
Axis | Axis Pasca Bayar |
Mobile 8 |
CDMA | 0881- |
SmartFren |
*GSM - Global System for Mobil Communications
CDMA - Code-Division Multiple Access
Cheaper Hand Phone Options
Recently Telkom, Indosat and privately owned Bakrie group have introduced a cheaper alternative to regular hand phones using a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system. A fixed-wireless service is a phone service that has limited cellular mobility within a designated area. It charges a rate equivalent to that of a fixed-line service. Some of the fixed wireless services currently available are Flexi (Telkom), Esia (Bakrie Group), StarOne (Indosat), Ceria (Sampoerna Telecom Indonesia) and Smartfren (Mobile 8).
“Flexi” program from Telkom offers its users land line rates, but with the mobility of mobile phones. This program is broken down into “Flexi home” which allows wireless communication anywhere in the home or “Flexi Mobil” which services are comparable to handphone capabilities within the city of operation. Users of Flexi must use special hand phone units issued by Telkom, however they can be used within the service area (now offering service in 114 cities throughout Indonesia).
Star One, Indosat's program has grown is popularity since its launch. Bakrie Group's ESIA program is also gaining popularity due to its ability to use any hand phone on the market that supports the CDMA system. The sound quality is extremely good as long as the user remains within the service area. Prepaid and abonement payment plans are available. Functions such as SMS and high speed data transfer are supported. Service areas are contained within greater Jakarta and Bandung, however the lower rates of the service compared to regular hand phone rates is making it an extremely attractive alternative.
Indosat also has introduced it’s StarOne program that utilizes the same CDMA system. They also allow you to use its system through any phone that supports the CDMA system.
Choosing a phone operator
It would be helpful to ask the advice of other expatriates as to what operators they have used. Ask how satisfied they were with the service, and what problems they encountered in using the service. Just by looking at the hand phone numbers of your various colleagues, you will know which operator they use, as each operator uses a different prefix (see chart above).
Ask friends about the following common problems and how often they experience them with the operator they use:
- Bad transmission, static, interference from structures, cut off transmissions
- Limits of service coverage - can you receive calls if you are traveling in other parts of Indonesia or overseas (avoid the dreaded 'out of the service area' message by choosing an operator with full coverage). Some buildings also have problems receiving phone calls from certain service providers. Make sure your office building can receive and send phone calls from the service provider you are considering.
- Security - what actions they take if someone gets your phone number/frequency and runs up your bill
Some of the problems encountered in hand phone usage can seem quite mysterious. For example, why is that one hand phone may have no problems receiving calls in a particular building, while others cannot receive in that building. The difference is in the number of receivers/transmitters, your location - where you are in the building and its structure, as well as other technical factors. If a building does not have a booster, if may not be able to receive mobile phone signals. If the transmission for your call isn't clear - try moving near a window - or to a different side of the building, or even outside to improve the reception.
Generally speaking Telkomsel, which is now a publicly owned company, has invested heavily in BTS (Base Transceiver Stations) throughout Indonesia and therefore now offers the most complete coverage even in very remote areas of Indonesia.
Registering your Hand Phone
All users of prepaid cards for hand phones (cell phones or mobile phones) in Indonesia must register their phone's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). This will affect new residents to Indonesia if they want to use their overseas phone in Indoneisa.
Passengers and tourists who come to Indonesia if they use international roaming do not need to be registered, but if they use a domestic provider, the IMEI must be registered first.
How to register IMEI when you first arrive in Indonesia?
First, download the Mobile Customs application or visit www.beacukai.go.id. then fill in the personal data form, flight number (if you're just arriving in Indoneisa), phone/device specifications and other fields.
Second, after the form is filled in completely, you will get a QR Code and Registration ID.
Third, show the QR Code to the Customs Officer when you arrive at the airport in Indonesia.
Fourth, pay state levies if the price of the device's value exceeds USD 500.
Finally, IMEI data will be sent automatically to the Indonesian Government regulator and the device is ready to use.
How much is the IMEI registration fee at the airport?
IMEI registration upon arrival at the airport is free of charge, however on cellphones, handheld computers and tablets may be subject to Import Duties and Taxes for Import, the following are applied: BM 10%, VAT: 10% and PPh: 10% (if showing Indonesian Tax Number Card) or 20% (if not).
Each person can only register the IMEI of a maximum of 2 devices and is given a tax waiver of USD 500 per person for each arrival. If the cost exceeds USD 500, the excess difference will be subject to the tax rates according to the provisions above.
What if you forget to register IMEI when you arrive at the airport?
Register IMEI through the official Customs website as described above. Registration can be done no later than 60 days from the day of arrival. Once you have the QR Code, scan it at the nearest Customs Office by bringing your original passport, ticket/boarding pass and the gadget you want to register. In this case, the tax exemption of USD 500 is not granted like it is when IMEI registration is done at the airport.
What if I'm in Indonesia for just a short time?
It isn't mandatory to register the IMEI if you are staying in Indonesia less than 90 days. You can:
- continue to use a SIM card from your country of origin (using roaming)
- use an Indonesian SIM card with registration at a telecommunications outlet to get access to Indonesian telecommunications networks for 90 days.
If you are staying longer, you may be subject to paying an import tax on your mobile phone,
See regulation on the Customs website (view on Edge).
Cell Phone Options for Tourists
An option to using your home country's cell carrier with international charges, is to purchase a Tourist Prepaid SIM card for your overseas-originating device.
IMEI registration is not required, if your device from overseas is used in Indonesia. Using an Indonesian SIM card with registration at a telecommunications outlet to get access to telecommunications networks for 90 days. Terms and Conditions:
- Tourist Prepaid Card is the latest Telkomsel package, special for international tourists.
- Tourist Prepaid Card is only available for 1x purchase.
- Tourist Prepaid Card is only available on Telkomsel.com and selected Telkomsel booth.
- All data quota of Tourist Prepaid Card can be used nationally and can be consumed on all Telkomsel networks (3G/4G/5G).
- Tourist Prepaid Card consists of 1 package variant only, with 30-day validity.
- For further questions regarding this package, you can contact:
- Call Center: 188
- Twitter: @telkomsel
- Email: cs@telkomsel.com
- Facebook: Telkomsel
- WhatsApp Telkomsel: 081111111111
- LINE: Telkomsel
A perhaps cheaper alternative to using this tourist card (more expensive and difficult to buy), you could buy a cheap cellphone in Indonesia (refurbished for less than US$50), buy a normal SIM card (available everywhere) for it and with wifi you could use the internet during your visit to Indonesia.
Partially updated November 30, 2022