The State of Internet in Indonesia: Challenges and Options

Indonesia's internet penetration rate has increased significantly over the years, with over 70% of the population now online.

This growth is largely driven by the widespread adoption of mobile internet, with over 90% of online Indonesians accessing the internet through their mobile phones.

Despite this progress, Indonesia still faces significant challenges in terms of internet accessibility and affordability, particularly in rural areas where internet speeds are often slow and unreliable.

According to the Indonesian government's own data, over 60% of the population still lacks access to fixed broadband internet.

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Indonesia has a significant number of internet users, with over 203 million people online as of 2022.

The country's internet penetration rate has been steadily increasing, with 73% of the population having access to the internet.

Mobile internet usage is particularly popular in Indonesia, with 85% of internet users accessing the internet through their mobile devices.

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Free WiFi can be a lifesaver if you lose connection on your data plan, but it's not always reliable.

Public hotspots are scarce in Indonesia, but you can usually find them in restaurants or hotels.

Free WiFi is worth keeping in mind for emergency situations, like when you need to get online quickly.

You can use free WiFi to buy an eSIM card, which can give you a steady internet connection wherever you go.

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Indonesia ranks among the bottom three in Southeast Asia for internet speed, according to Speedtest.net's "Median Country Speeds – December 2023" ranking.

Indonesia's mobile network speed was 25.0 Mbps, ranking 97th out of 146 countries, while its fixed network speed was 27.9 Mbps, ranking 126th out of 178 countries.

Among Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia ranked 9th out of 11 for both mobile and fixed network speeds.

Here's a comparison of Indonesia's internet speeds with its Southeast Asian neighbors:

Slow internet speeds cause significant inconvenience to users and disadvantages to the nation.

Indonesia has a thriving mobile market, with a strong economy and a large population, making it one of the biggest markets for smartphones, along with China and India.

You can get a local SIM card, which is one of the cheapest ways to access the internet in Indonesia, but it has a major drawback: you need to spend time during your trip to go to a physical store and compare various offers.

The main internet providers in Indonesia are Telkomsel, XL, Indosat, and 3 (Tri), but there are other widely used alternatives available as well. All of them offer reasonably priced rates, along with various data plans that are usually quite generous.

Here are some prepaid SIM card options for Indonesia:

Alternatively, you can consider renting a portable WiFi device, known as Pocket WiFi, which offers another way to access the internet in Indonesia.

Indonesia has a thriving mobile market, with a strong economic foundation and a large population, making it one of the biggest markets for smartphones, alongside China and India.

The country has made significant strides in digital transformation, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is predicted to launch a new 5G network for commercial use by 2022, with forecasted 5G connections exceeding 20 million by 2025.

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Telkomsel was the first to launch 5G in Indonesia, on May 27, 2021, in Jakarta and eight other cities, while Indosat has been given a permit to operate 5G networks and plans to roll out 5G in four cities in Java and Sulawesi.

If you plan to stay in Indonesia for a while, it's worth considering getting a plan with a local mobile internet provider instead of opting for travel options.

The main internet providers in Indonesia are Telkomsel, XL, Indosat, and 3 (Tri), with other widely used alternatives available as well.

Here are some prepaid SIM card options for Indonesia:

Purchasing a local SIM card is one of the cheapest ways to access the internet in Indonesia, but it requires spending time at a physical store to compare offers, and customer service may not be available in English.

SimOptions is another reliable option, offering a physical SIM card that can be purchased online and delivered to your doorstep within 3 business days, with technical support and customer service available in English.

If you have a phone that supports eSIM technology, using an eSIM from Holafly is a convenient and cost-effective option, working with multiple network providers in Indonesia for the best coverage.

Pocket WiFi offers a portable internet solution for groups of travelers, but it's not the cheapest option. You can rent a device from companies like Travelers WiFi, My Webspot, Cello Mobile, or MioWiFi.

Prices start at $70/week, plus shipping and return charges, making it less convenient than alternatives like using an eSIM. If you lose or damage the device, you'll be charged a penalty ranging from $100 to $250.

Indonesia has made significant progress in mobile network development, with all major cellular providers offering 3G, 3.5G HSDPA, and 4G LTE coverage. This includes Indosat, Telkomsel, Excelcomindo (XL), and 3, which have phased out CDMA EV-DO in favor of LTE-A.

The country is rapidly adapting to digital transformation, with a strong economic foundation and a large population driving demand for mobile internet. In fact, Indonesia is one of the biggest markets for smartphones, alongside China and India.

Mobile 4G coverage has reached 98% of the population, while 5G coverage is still in its early stages, with 26% of the population having access to at least one device with 5G mobile Internet. Telkomsel was the first to launch 5G in Jakarta and eight other cities in May 2021, and Indosat has been given a permit to operate 5G networks.

Here is a summary of mobile network coverage in Indonesia:

Indonesia has made significant progress in its mobile network infrastructure, with all major GSM providers offering 3G, 3.5G HSDPA, and 4G LTE services that cover both cities and rural areas.

The country's mobile market is one of the fastest developing in the world, driven by strong economic fundamentals and a large population. Indonesia is among the biggest markets for smartphones, alongside China and India.

4G will continue to be the main network for mobile internet in Indonesia as 3G gradually fades out. The country is predicted to launch commercial 5G networks by 2022, with over 20 million 5G connections forecasted by 2025.

Telkomsel was the first to launch 5G in Jakarta and eight other cities in May 2021. Indosat has also been given a permit to operate 5G networks and will roll out services in four cities in Java and Sulawesi.

Smartfren is currently testing mmWave 5G in its office. Despite the progress, there are still regional disparities in IT infrastructure deployment, with Papua lagging behind in terms of mobile phone and internet access.

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Here are some key statistics on mobile internet access in Indonesia:

The national average for internet access stands at 66.5%, with Jakarta ranking high at 84.7% and Papua lagging behind at 26.3%.

If you're looking for a cheap way to get internet in Indonesia, purchasing a local SIM card is a great option. You can get local SIM cards at airports, official points of sale in shopping centers, or even supermarkets.

The main internet providers in Indonesia are Telkomsel, XL, Indostat, and 3 (Tri), but there are other widely used alternatives available as well. They offer reasonably priced rates, along with various data plans that are usually quite generous.

To get a local SIM card, simply insert the SIM card into your device, followed by an activation process through a call or SMS, which is typically in Indonesian. You should ask for help from the salesperson and ensure it's set up properly before leaving the store.

Here are some examples of local SIM card plans in Indonesia:

Be sure to only purchase from legitimate stores, as there are unauthorized sellers offering seemingly cheaper rates.

In Indonesia, around 71% of the population used the Internet at least once over a 3-month period.

This shows a significant increase in internet usage over the years, and it's likely that this trend will continue as more people gain access to the internet.

Indonesia ranks 83rd in the world when it comes to mobile internet speed, with a median download speed of 29.50 Mbps.

The quality of mobile internet in Indonesia depends on your network provider, and 5G coverage is still quite sparse, often requiring you to rely on 4G or slower speeds.

Internet censorship is also a concern in Indonesia, although it's not as severe as in countries like China or North Korea. However, blocks and restrictions are not unheard of.

In 2019, the Indonesian government even banned Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram for three days, showing that internet restrictions can happen at any time.

Using a travel SIM card is one of the top options for staying connected in Indonesia, and local SIM cards are the more popular choice.

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Penetration is a term you'll often hear in the context of internet usage. It simply refers to the percentage of a population that has access to the internet.

In many countries, internet penetration is growing rapidly. For example, a significant portion of the population used the internet at least once over a 3-month period.

This means that a substantial number of people are now online, which has opened up new opportunities for communication, education, and economic growth.

The Internet Resilience Score is a key factor in understanding the overall health of the internet. It's based on measurements of infrastructure, security, performance, and market factors.

This score can vary greatly depending on the country or region you're in. In some places, the internet might be more resilient due to better infrastructure and security measures.

The Internet Resilience Index is a great resource to check the resilience score of different countries or regions. It provides a comprehensive view of the internet's overall health.

Indonesia's internet landscape is dominated by a few major players, with PT Telkom Indonesia Tbk holding the largest market share at 26%. The country's mobile internet and telecommunications market is also thriving, with all major cellular providers offering 3G, 3.5G HSDPA, and 4G LTE services.

The usage of CDMA EV-DO has been phased out, with the last provider, Smartfren, pulling its support in 2017 and converting to LTE-A. This shift has contributed to the growth of 4G LTE services in the country.

Here's a breakdown of the top Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Indonesia by market share:

Indonesia is also on the cusp of adopting 5G technology, with Telkomsel launching 5G services in Jakarta and eight other cities in May 2021. The country is expected to have more than 20 million 5G connections by 2025.

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Censorship in Indonesia is a complex issue, with the OpenNet Initiative deeming it "substantial" in the social arena.

Internet filtering in Indonesia is not uniform, with the OpenNet Initiative finding it to be "selective" in the political and internet tools arenas.

Testing by the OpenNet Initiative showed that Internet filtering in Indonesia is unsystematic and inconsistent, with differences found in the level of filtering between ISPs.

There is no evidence of filtering in the conflict/security arena, according to the OpenNet Initiative's testing in 2011 based on data from 2009 and 2010.

The Indonesian Defence Ministry is planning to create a cyber army to protect the country's online presence. This team will focus on securing state portals and websites.

The proposed cyber army will be made up of talented Internet security specialists who are trained in cyber-warfare.

Indonesia has a thriving mobile market, with a population that makes it one of the biggest smartphone markets in the world, alongside China and India.

The country is rapidly adapting to digital transformation, with the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating this process. Indonesia is expected to launch commercial 5G networks by 2022, with over 20 million 5G connections forecasted by 2025.

PT Telkom Indonesia Tbk has the largest market share among internet service providers in Indonesia, accounting for 26% of the market.

Here's a breakdown of the top internet service providers in Indonesia by market share:

4G is the main network for mobile internet in Indonesia, with 3G gradually being phased out as 4G becomes more widespread.

In Indonesia, about 80% of local internet traffic went abroad, prompting the government to encourage the use of domestic domains. The goal was to have one million domestic domains, with funding of Rp 50 billion ($3.85 million).

The government's efforts led to a significant increase in the number of domestic domains. By mid-April 2015, there were about 20,000 .id domains and about 47,000 .co.id domains.

Some users have taken it a step further by registering both domestic and non-domestic domains, redirecting searches from non-domestic domains to domestic ones.

In Indonesia, the government has been actively promoting the use of domestic domains to reduce internet traffic going abroad. This effort began when it was discovered that about 80% of local internet traffic was going abroad.

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The government set a target of one million domestic domains with a budget of Rp 50 billion ($3.85 million). At the time, there were only about 20,000 .id domains and 47,000 .co.id domains.

Some users have taken advantage of this initiative by registering both non-domestic and domestic domains, and redirecting searches from their non-domestic domains to their domestic domains.

Here's a breakdown of the country's domain use:

DNSSEC status is a crucial aspect of domain security. All domains under the ccTLD are protected with DNSSEC.

DNSSEC offers a high level of security, but it's not a guarantee against all types of attacks. Some domains may still be vulnerable to certain types of threats.

Holafly eSIM is a convenient and affordable option for staying connected in Indonesia, especially with its unlimited data plans.

With Holafly, you can choose from a range of plans, from 1 to 90 days, and avoid overpaying for extra days you don't need. The prices for these plans range from $6.90 to $139.90.

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One of the advantages of using Holafly is its simple activation process, which can be done in just a couple of minutes by scanning a QR code.

Holafly also offers flexible plan choices, allowing you to pick any number of days in the range from 1 to 90 and avoid overpaying for extra days you won't use.

Another benefit of Holafly is its data sharing feature, which provides 500 MB of data sharing daily to keep multiple devices connected at once.

If you're looking for an alternative to Holafly, a portable Wi-Fi device or pocket Wi-Fi can be a great choice for staying connected in Indonesia.

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Roaming in Indonesia is super expensive, with data roaming costing approximately $13 for each megabyte.

Using roaming in Indonesia is one of the most expensive ways to access the internet, so it's not a recommended option.

Contact your mobile service provider's customer service to ask about the cost of roaming in Indonesia and get information on current rates, available plans, and how to deactivate roaming to avoid surprises on your bill.

You can also consider purchasing a data package or special offer to reduce the cost, but be aware that the final price will depend on your data consumption.

Using a 10-day Holafly eSIM for internet access is a viable alternative, offering unlimited internet and peace of mind during your trip.

Having unlimited internet in Indonesia allowed me to navigate the island by motorcycle, use GPS for directions, and book last-minute accommodations.

It's worth noting that roaming in Indonesia can be unpredictable, with bills depending on your data consumption, so it's best to opt for a fixed-cost plan or eSIM for a stress-free experience.

Indonesia offers a wide range of experiences for travelers seeking adventure. I found that having unlimited internet in Indonesia gave me peace of mind, ensuring I wouldn't lose connectivity in the middle of my trip.

Using a 10-day Holafly eSIM for internet access allowed me to complete my 10-day itinerary on the “Island of the Gods” without committing to a longer data plan that I wouldn’t use later.

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Having internet in Indonesia was crucial for me to navigate the island by motorcycle. It allowed me to use GPS for directions, book last-minute accommodations, and explore Bali in greater depth.

I often used the internet to book last-minute accommodations, which gave me flexibility in my travel plans. Many times, I saw that there was a temple or a beach nearby, and we did not hesitate to take a detour to see them.

Holafly’s customer support team was available in case I encountered any coverage issues or required assistance. This gave me added security and confidence in my travel plans.

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