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 an 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 phone that top executives carry most likely has many more features than their colleagues’ phones, people from all walks of life, including domestic staff, drivers, and delivery people, will most likely have a hand phone in Indonesia.
If you’re a new resident arriving in Indonesia, jump down to the section on registering your phone below before you head to the airport.
Choosing a hand phone
A wide variety of hand phones are available for purchase in Indonesia. Internationally known brands predominate the market. Samsung and iPhone remain the most recognized names, but the mid-range and budget segments are dominated by Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Infinix, and Realme, several of which now launch new models in Indonesia before some Western markets see them. Major brand dealers and distributors run kiosks and shops in malls across the city, as well as counters inside large electronics retailers, and most international brands have their own service centers to help with setup and repairs.
Prices currently range from roughly Rp 1 million for an entry-level smartphone to Rp 25 to 30 million for a top-tier flagship; check current listings before you buy, since pricing shifts with each new release.
Almost any unlocked phone bought abroad will work in Indonesia, as long as it supports the local network bands, which are GSM, 4G LTE, and, in major cities, 5G. Indonesia no longer has any CDMA networks; the older CDMA-versus-GSM distinction that used to matter doesn’t apply anymore. The main things to check before bringing a foreign phone are whether it’s unlocked, and whether you’ll need to register its IMEI with Indonesian Customs (see the registration section below).
SIM cards have also changed size over the years, from standard to micro to nano, and many newer phones now support eSIM, a digital SIM that doesn’t require a physical card at all. If you’re buying a new phone, check which SIM format and eSIM support it offers before assuming your old SIM will simply drop in.
Most phones sold today, even budget models, include a capable camera, GPS, a fast-charging battery, and support for mobile banking and e-wallet apps. At the higher end, look for 5G support, NFC for contactless payment, dual-SIM or SIM-plus-eSIM capability, and biometric security such as fingerprint or face unlock.
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 “pulsa”. These cards can be purchased from phone kiosks and other vendors and used directly. There are several ways to get connected, and all phone sellers can get you online instantly. You do not need a contract, and a simple pay-as-you-go SIM card will give you a line and number.
Phone SIM cards are issued by the cellular phone system operators with a phone number tied to the card. There are two types:
Pre-paid card: when the amount already paid for runs out, you top up through a kiosk, an ATM, or directly through your phone’s operator app. Pulsa can also be transferred from card to card on the same network.
Post-paid system: SIM cards are based on a basic monthly charge plus usage and applicable taxes, billed to your billing address and payable monthly. Requirements for post-paid accounts have tightened over the years. Some providers offer “family” or “office” plans, where a main account holder pays the standard rate while linked family members or employees receive reduced fees, with the cost per call staying the same.
Today, postpaid plans are usually managed and topped up through each operator’s own app, such as MyTelkomsel, myIM3, or myXL, rather than only through paper billing. Because of competition between Indonesia’s operators, special deals and bundled data packages are common, particularly around holiday seasons, so it’s worth comparing current promotions before committing to a plan.
Pulsa refills
Look for the sign that says “Jual Pulsa” (selling pulsa). You can top up at minimarkets like Indomaret and Alfamart, through ATMs, or directly via your phone’s operator app. In practice, most people now top up through e-wallet apps such as GoPay, OVO, DANA, or ShopeePay, or through marketplace apps like Tokopedia or Shopee, which take seconds and avoid handing your phone number to a street vendor. You can also still refill through street vendors, but you may find your number gets “shared,” leading to an increase in spam text messages.
Upgrading your Cell Phone
If you want to upgrade your current hand phone, you can keep the same phone number, because on GSM networks the number is tied to the SIM card rather than the handset itself. Simply move your SIM card, or transfer your number to a new eSIM, and your old number carries over to the new phone.
Phone Repair and Security
There are a few ways to protect yourself if your hand phone is lost or stolen. You can set a PIN code on your SIM card itself, so that anyone using the card needs to know the code, and you can use your phone’s built-in security, such as a passcode, fingerprint, or face unlock, to prevent unauthorized access to the device.
If your phone is stolen, report the theft to your service provider as soon as possible so they can block your SIM and number from being used to run up charges. Most providers will issue a replacement SIM with your old number once you’ve made a report, and some require a police report to do this. Beyond the SIM itself, Indonesia’s national IMEI database can also be used to block a stolen device at the network level, separate from blocking the SIM. For most people, though, the fastest first response is using “Find My iPhone” or Google’s “Find My Device” to remotely lock, track, or wipe the phone the moment you realize it’s missing.
Mobile phone operators in Indonesia
Indonesia’s mobile market has consolidated significantly in recent years. There are now three major operator groups:
| Operator Group | Brands | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Telkomsel | Simpati, Kartu As, Kartu Halo | State-linked, generally considered to have the widest coverage, especially outside major cities |
| Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison | IM3, Tri (Three) | Formed by the 2022 merger of Indosat and Hutchison’s “3” |
| XLSMART | XL, Axis, Smartfren | Formed by the 2025 merger of XL Axiata and Smartfren |
All three groups now offer 4G LTE nationwide, with 5G available in major cities, and eSIM is offered by Telkomsel, IM3, and XL for compatible phones.
Choosing a phone operator
It would be helpful to ask the advice of other expatriates as to which operator they use, how satisfied they’ve been with the service, and what problems they’ve run into. Ask about a few common issues: bad transmission or static in certain buildings, gaps in coverage when traveling outside major cities, and how the provider handles security if someone tries to misuse your number.
Some buildings have trouble receiving signal from certain providers depending on the building’s structure and the number of nearby transmitters. If reception is poor indoors, try moving near a window, to a different side of the building, or outside.
Telkomsel has historically been considered to offer the most complete coverage, particularly in more remote parts of Indonesia, though this is worth a quick check for your own area since coverage shifts as operators expand their networks. Each operator’s app includes a coverage map you can check before committing to a plan.
Registering your Hand Phone (IMEI)
All users of prepaid or postpaid SIM cards in Indonesia need their phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) registered if they plan to use a local Indonesian SIM long-term. Tourists relying on international roaming through their home SIM don’t need to register anything.
Since October 1, 2025, Indonesia has used an integrated arrival declaration system called “All Indonesia” for incoming passengers, replacing the older, separate customs declaration process. Here’s how registration generally works:
First, complete your arrival declaration through the official All Indonesia platform before or on arrival, entering your passport details, flight information, and device information. Second, you’ll receive a QR code confirming your registration. Third, present this QR code along with your passport, boarding pass, and the device itself to the Customs officer at the airport. Fourth, if your device’s value exceeds USD 500, you’ll need to pay the applicable import levies on the amount above that threshold. Finally, your IMEI is recorded in the national database and your phone is ready to use on local networks.
Registration at the airport is free for devices valued at or under USD 500, with a maximum of two devices per person per arrival. If your device is worth more, the excess value is subject to import duty and tax. If you miss registering at the airport, you generally have up to 60 days from arrival to register at a Customs office, though you’ll lose the airport’s duty-free allowance by doing it later.
If you’re staying in Indonesia for less than 90 days, IMEI registration isn’t mandatory: you can continue using your home country’s roaming, or buy a local SIM or eSIM at the airport or an official operator store, which handles short-term registration automatically when you activate it. If you’re staying longer, plan to register your device at Customs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my phone’s IMEI in Indonesia?
Only if you plan to use a local Indonesian SIM card for longer than 90 days. Short visits using roaming or a locally purchased tourist SIM generally don’t require separate registration at Customs.
Can I use my phone from home in Indonesia?
Most modern phones work fine as long as they’re unlocked and support GSM, 4G, or 5G bands. Indonesia no longer has any CDMA networks.
Which mobile operator has the best coverage in Indonesia?
Telkomsel is generally considered to have the widest coverage, particularly outside major cities, though Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and XLSMART (XL, Axis, Smartfren) are strong in urban areas.
Is eSIM available in Indonesia?
Yes. Telkomsel, IM3, and XL all offer eSIM for compatible devices, alongside standard physical SIM cards.
