Destinations
Internet in Indonesia: Bali, islands and deceptive distances
Bali is well covered and the rest of the country is enormous and uneven. What to expect by area, what an island trip uses and what to leave downloaded.
Rubén Ortega 6 min Photo by Gilang Cipta Permana on Unsplash Indonesia is more than seventeen thousand islands, so talking about the coverage of the whole country does not mean much. What can be said is how it is in the places people actually go, which in practice are Bali, Java and a handful of other islands.
By area
| Where | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Bali, tourist areas | Good 4G and 5G in some spots |
| Jakarta and the big cities of Java | Wide 4G and 5G |
| Gili and Nusa islands | 4G in the towns, patchy elsewhere |
| Flores, Sumba, interior of Borneo | Very variable, with long gaps |
| Boat crossings | Comes and goes |
Bali works well and it is where having data shows most: transfers, restaurants and excursions are organised by messaging, and the traffic forces you to check the map constantly.
The trip that deceives: the distances
On the map the islands look close and the transfers are long: boats of several hours, domestic flights and slow roads. That is time without reliable coverage, so whatever you need that day is better downloaded before you set off.
What the phone is used for here
- Transport apps, which in Indonesia are used for everything, from a motorbike to food.
- Messaging with hotels and guides, which is the usual channel.
- Maps, indispensable in Bali because of the traffic and because many streets are poorly signposted.
- The translator, above all outside the tourist areas.
What you will use
Between 300 and 700 MB a day on a normal trip, and more if you post video daily, which at this destination is the norm.
To get the plan size right before buying, the sums by type of traveller are in how many gigabytes a trip really uses.
Frequently asked questions
Is coverage good in Bali?
Yes, good 4G in the tourist areas and 5G in some spots. Inland and on the small islands it is patchier.
And in the rest of Indonesia?
It depends a lot on the island. Java is well covered, and on Flores, Sumba or in the interior of Borneo there are long gaps.
Do I need data to get around Bali?
Practically yes: transfers and excursions are organised by app and messaging, and the traffic forces you to keep the map open.
How many gigabytes does a trip to Indonesia use?
Between 300 and 700 MB a day with normal use, and considerably more if video is posted daily.
Is there coverage on the boats between islands?
Near the coast yes, and during the crossing it comes and goes. Download tickets and addresses before boarding.
