Providers
What to know in Bali
- Foreign phones used with an Indonesian SIM work without IMEI registration for 90 days; on day 91 the local SIM stops working unless the phone is registered.
- IMEI registration is done with customs (Bea Cukai), at the airport desk after baggage claim or at a customs office; phones up to USD 500 are free, and up to two devices can be registered.
- Register at the airport or shortly after arrival: if you miss the window, the exemption can be lost and tax is due on the phone's full value.
- Roaming on your home SIM and international eSIMs do not require IMEI registration, which suits short trips.
- Local SIMs (Telkomsel, Indosat, XL) are sold with passport registration; Telkomsel generally has the widest coverage in remote areas.
- Villa fibre comes mainly from IndiHome (Telkom) and Biznet; installation can take up to two weeks. Starlink is sold in Indonesia for areas fibre does not reach.
Indicative prices
- Local SIM with about 50 GB data: around IDR 150,000 (approx. EUR 8)
- Home fibre 50 to 100 Mbps (Biznet, IndiHome): IDR 400,000 to 700,000 per month
- Starlink Residential Lite: IDR 479,000 per month; Residential: IDR 750,000 per month (Feb 2026, hardware extra)
- IMEI tax for phones above USD 500: roughly 30 to 40% of the amount above the threshold
- Prices indicative; airport SIM counters usually charge more than town shops.
How to choose
- Check the 90-day rule before buying a local SIM if you plan a long stay with your own phone.
- Ask the villa for a recent speed test and whether a backup connection exists before you book for remote work.
- Buy SIMs from official operator stores (GraPARI for Telkomsel) to avoid unregistered or pre-used cards.
- Keep a mobile data plan as a backup: power and fibre cuts happen, especially in the rainy season.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register my phone's IMEI in Bali?
Only if you use an Indonesian SIM for more than 90 days. After that, the local SIM stops working on an unregistered phone. Registration is done with customs at the airport or a Bea Cukai office and is free for phones worth up to USD 500.
Is an eSIM or a local SIM better for Bali?
For a short holiday, an international eSIM avoids queues and IMEI issues. For stays of several weeks, a local Telkomsel or XL SIM is usually cheaper per gigabyte, at around IDR 150,000 for 50 GB according to 2026 cost-of-living guides.
How fast is internet in Bali villas?
Fibre plans from Biznet or IndiHome typically offer 50 to 100 Mbps for IDR 400,000 to 700,000 per month, but actual speed depends on the area and the villa's router. Ask for a speed test and a 4G or Starlink backup if you work online.
Is Starlink available in Bali?
Yes. Starlink sells residential plans in Indonesia, at IDR 479,000 per month for Residential Lite and IDR 750,000 for Residential as of February 2026. Local media reported capacity was full in some areas in July 2025, so availability can vary.