Planning a trip to Bali or Jakarta? While Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is now one of the strongest networks in Indonesia, travelers often hit a major roadblock: Indosat eSIMs cannot be activated online by foreign tourists.
In this guide, we break down the current state of Indonesian networks and which eSIMs provide the best seamless experience for 2025.
The Reality of Indosat eSIM for Travelers
Indosat’s eSIM is technically advanced, but it currently lacks a digital onboarding flow for foreigners.
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The Issue: International visitors must visit a physical Gerai IM3 (Indosat Store) to present their original passport for biometric verification.
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The Verdict: If you need data the moment your plane lands, Indosat is currently impractical for short-term visitors despite its great signal.
2025 Network Performance: Indosat vs. The Competition
Based on the latest industry data, the hierarchy of Indonesian networks has shifted:
1. Telkomsel: The Coverage Leader
Telkomsel remains the "gold standard" for travelers visiting remote areas (Ubud, Nusa Penida, Raja Ampat).
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Data: Winner of "Coverage Experience" by Opensignal.
2. Indosat (IM3): The Consistency Champion
Since its merger, Indosat has overtaken XL in several key metrics.
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The Data: Indosat won the Consistent Quality award, meaning their signal is more reliable for video calls and streaming compared to XL. They also lead in Upload Speed Experience.
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Source: Opensignal Indonesia Report 2024.
3. XL Axiata: The Urban Specialist
While Indosat has stronger national consistency, XL remains a fierce competitor in Bali’s tourist hubs like Canggu and Seminyak.
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The Data: XL is often recognized for "Download Speed Experience" in specific urban clusters according to nPerf Speed Test Reports.
Why You Should Choose Telkomsel or XL via Balisim.com
Even though Indosat has a fantastic signal, the manual registration requirement is a dealbreaker for most travelers. Balisim.com solves this by offering Telkomsel and XL eSIMs with instant online delivery.
Comparison Table: 2025 Travel eSIM Options
How to Get Your eSIM Before Landing
To avoid the hassle of finding a physical store in a foreign country, follow these steps:
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Visit Balisim.com: Choose between the high-coverage Telkomsel or the value-driven XL Axiata.
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Upload Documents: Use their secure portal to upload your passport photo.
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Receive QR Code: Get your eSIM via email/WhatsApp before you fly.
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Land and Connect: Activate upon arrival and skip the airport queues.
Final Verdict
If you have the time to visit a mall and wait in line, Indosat offers a great, consistent signal. However, for 99% of travelers who want instant connectivity, Telkomsel or XL via Balisim.com is the only logical choice in 2025.
