Maxis, Celcom, Digi in Indonesia: Roaming Costs & Better Alternatives

You land at Soekarno-Hatta or Ngurah Rai, your Malaysian phone connects to a roaming partner within minutes, and you think the problem is solved. Then the bill arrives, or the 7-day pass runs out on day four while you are still navigating with Google Maps and booking Grab rides. In 2026, Malaysian travellers have more choices than ever, and many are better value than roaming. Here is what Maxis, Celcom and Digi roaming costs, and when a local SIM or eSIM makes more sense.

What Maxis, Celcom and Digi Roaming Costs in Indonesia

All three Malaysian operators sell roaming passes for Indonesia. They are convenient because you keep your Malaysian number and change nothing on your phone. The trade-off is less data for your money. Prices below are typical 2026 figures, converted at MYR 1 = IDR 3,250. Check current prices with your operator before you fly.

Maxis and Hotlink

Maxis typically sells a “Data Roaming Pass” or “Travel Pass” for Indonesia. These include data and some local calls and SMS.

• 7-day pass: about 15GB with some calls/SMS for around MYR 49 (approx. IDR 160,000).
• Daily pass: about 2GB for 24 hours at roughly MYR 10-15 (approx. IDR 32,500 – IDR 48,750).
• Activation: the Maxis/Hotlink app, USSD code *100#, or the Maxis website.
• Info pages: maxis.com.my/roaming and hotlink.com.my/roaming. Confirm these pages are current before you rely on them.

CelcomDigi (Celcom and Digi)

After the merger, Celcom and Digi now run under CelcomDigi, and their roaming offers are becoming more alike. Expect “Roam Like Home” or “Travel Pass” style products.

• 7-day pass: 10-15GB for around MYR 38-48 (approx. IDR 123,500 – IDR 156,000).
• Daily pass: about 2GB for 24 hours at roughly MYR 10-12 (approx. IDR 32,500 – IDR 39,000).
• Activation: the Celcom Life app or MyDigi app, or USSD *118# for Celcom and *128# for Digi.
• Info pages: celcom.com.my/personal/roaming and digi.com.my/personal/roaming. Confirm these pages are current.

Roaming works well for a short trip of under a week if you only need messaging, maps and the occasional call. It becomes expensive once you stay longer or use a lot of data. Seven daily passes at MYR 10 each already cost about IDR 227,500, which is more than a full month on most Indonesian tourist SIMs.

The IMEI Rule Every Phone Owner Should Know

Before you buy a local SIM, understand Pajak IMEI. Since 2020, phones bought outside Indonesia and used with local SIM cards are subject to IMEI registration and possible import tax. The rule is still strictly enforced in 2026.

The 90-day exemption. Tourist SIM cards bought by foreign visitors for short stays usually come with a temporary exemption. Your phone can work for up to 90 days without full IMEI registration. If your trip is shorter than 90 days, you can buy a tourist SIM and use it without paying tax on your phone.

When you must register. You need to register your IMEI with Bea Cukai (Indonesian customs) if you stay longer than 90 days, or if your phone is valued above USD 500. Do it at the airport or port of entry:

1. Download the Bea Cukai app (Android and iOS) or fill out the e-CD (electronic Customs Declaration) online at ecd.beacukai.go.id.
2. Declare your phone and enter its IMEI number(s).
3. Show the QR code from the app or website to a customs officer.
4. Pay any assessed tax at the customs counter. Each person has a USD 500 (approx. IDR 7,750,000) exemption for personal goods, including phones. You are taxed only on the amount above it. A phone valued at USD 800 is taxed on USD 300. Taxes typically include 10% VAT and 7.5% PPh22 (for non-NPWP holders). A 10% Import Duty applies if the phone is for commercial use or not considered personal.
5. The officer registers your IMEI. This usually takes 15-30 minutes if you pre-filled the form and have your receipt.

If you skip registration when it is required, your phone is blocked from Indonesian cellular networks after 90 days. Your local SIM then stops working, though WiFi still works.

Local SIM Options Compared

All major providers register your SIM with your passport, usually done by the seller at purchase. These are typical 2026 tourist packages.

Telkomsel and by.U

Telkomsel has the widest coverage in Indonesia and is generally the premium option. Its “Telkomsel Tourist SIM” typically gives 25GB-50GB (a mix of national, local and social media data) for 30 days at IDR 100,000 – IDR 200,000. It often includes a small call/SMS allowance or free calls to other Telkomsel numbers. Buy at GraPARI stores, airport kiosks, or resellers like Indomaret and Alfamart. Airport kiosks are convenient but can cost slightly more. The official site is telkomsel.com.

by.U is Telkomsel’s fully digital brand, run entirely from the by.U app (Android and iOS) at byu.id. You can order a SIM for delivery to your accommodation in 1-3 days or collect it at specific points. Some airports may have by.U kiosks. Data packages are customizable, for example 10GB for 30 days at IDR 30,000 or 50GB for 30 days at IDR 100,000.

Indosat Ooredoo (IM3)

Good coverage in major cities and tourist areas with competitive pricing. The “IM3 Tourist SIM” typically offers 30GB-60GB for 30 days at IDR 80,000 – IDR 150,000, often with unlimited calls to other IM3 numbers and some local SMS. Buy at Indosat Ooredoo stores, airport kiosks or resellers. Sites: indosatooredoo.com and im3.id.

XL Axiata

Strong in urban areas with a reliable network and good value. The “XL Tourist SIM” typically gives 20GB-40GB for 30 days (often with social media bonuses) at IDR 70,000 – IDR 120,000, plus a small local call/SMS allowance. Buy at XL Center stores, airport kiosks or resellers. Site: xl.co.id.

Smartfren

Often the cheapest option for data. The “Smartfren Tourist SIM” or “Welcome Pack” typically offers 20GB-40GB at full speed, then unlimited basic-speed data, for 30 days at IDR 50,000 – IDR 80,000. It includes unlimited calls to Smartfren numbers. You will find it at Smartfren Gallery stores and resellers, but less often at airports. Its network is now mainly 4G/5G, so the old CDMA-era compatibility problems are largely history. Site: smartfren.com.

How to Set Up an eSIM Step by Step

An eSIM lets you keep your Malaysian SIM active for calls and SMS while a local plan handles data. Smartfren is widely available and often the easiest for tourists. XL Axiata and Indosat Ooredoo also offer tourist eSIMs, and by.U gives you eSIM access to Telkomsel’s network. Direct Telkomsel tourist eSIMs may not be available everywhere, so confirm this before you plan around it.

1. Check your phone. Most newer iPhones, Google Pixels and Samsung Galaxy S, Note and Fold models support eSIM.
2. Buy the plan from the provider’s website or app, or at an authorised store or kiosk. You receive a QR code or an activation code.



3. Scan the QR code. Go to Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data > Add Data Plan/Add eSIM, scan the code and label it, for example “Indonesia Data”.
4. Use manual entry if there is no QR code. Some providers give you an SM-DP+ address and an activation code.
5. Set it as your primary data line in phone settings, and leave your Malaysian SIM for calls and SMS.

The main downside is that you need a compatible phone, and the setup can feel technical the first time. It is also best to install the eSIM while you still have WiFi.

Coverage on Java, Bali and Remote Islands

On Java and Bali, coverage is excellent for Telkomsel, Indosat, XL and Smartfren. Expect strong 4G LTE in nearly all populated areas, including highways and smaller towns.

On remote islands and in eastern Indonesia, the picture changes:

• Telkomsel has the widest and most reliable reach, including smaller islands and less populated parts of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua. In truly isolated places it is often the only network.
• Indosat Ooredoo and XL Axiata have expanded a lot but may be patchy or absent on very remote or sparsely populated islands.
• Smartfren focuses on urban and semi-urban areas and major transport routes. Its remote-island coverage is the most limited.

5G in 2026 is mostly limited to specific districts and commercial areas in Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Bandung and Medan. 4G LTE remains the main technology nationwide.

WiFi at Cafes, Hotels and Airports

Sometimes you do not need data at all. Most cafes, restaurants and warungs in cities and tourist areas such as Bali, Jakarta and Yogyakarta offer free WiFi. Speeds are usually fine for browsing, social media and messaging.

Hotels, guesthouses and villas almost always provide free WiFi, with quality that varies but generally supports streaming and video calls. Soekarno-Hatta and Ngurah Rai both have free public WiFi. Public WiFi elsewhere is limited, though some malls and transport hubs offer it. In cities and tourist zones expect roughly 20-100 Mbps. In remote areas it is slower and less reliable, so do not count on it for work calls.

2026 Budget Reality

These are typical ranges for one traveller for about a week to a month. Prices change, so confirm with each provider.

• Budget: Smartfren Tourist SIM at IDR 50,000 – IDR 80,000, or a by.U 10GB plan at IDR 30,000 for 30 days.
• Mid-range: XL Tourist SIM at IDR 70,000 – IDR 120,000, or IM3 Tourist SIM at IDR 80,000 – IDR 150,000.



• Comfortable: Telkomsel Tourist SIM at IDR 100,000 – IDR 200,000 for the widest coverage, or by.U 50GB at IDR 100,000.
• Roaming for comparison: a Maxis 7-day pass at around IDR 160,000, or a CelcomDigi 7-day pass at around IDR 123,500 – IDR 156,000.

For a one-week trip, the cheapest roaming pass and a mid-range local SIM cost about the same. For anything longer, the local plan gives far more data. Top up credit (pulsa) or data through provider apps, online banking, Indomaret and Alfamart, or the Gojek and Grab apps.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Staying on roaming for a long trip. It is fine for a few days, but costly for heavy data users over a week or more.
• Ignoring the IMEI rule. If you stay over 90 days or your phone is worth over USD 500, register at the airport. Otherwise your SIM will be blocked after 90 days.
• Choosing the cheapest SIM for remote islands. Smartfren is great in cities but weak in remote areas. Pick Telkomsel if you are heading to eastern Indonesia or small islands.
• Buying an eSIM without checking compatibility. Confirm that your phone supports it first.
• Buying from random vendors without registration. Use official stores or airport kiosks and bring your passport.
• Leaving home-SIM data roaming on while using a local data plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is roaming cheaper than a local SIM in Indonesia?

Usually not. A Maxis 7-day pass costs around IDR 160,000 for about 15GB, while local tourist SIMs offer 20GB-60GB for 30 days at IDR 50,000 – IDR 200,000. Roaming only makes sense for very short trips where keeping your Malaysian number matters most.

Do I need to register my phone’s IMEI as a tourist?

Not for short stays. Tourist SIMs usually come with a 90-day exemption. You must register with Bea Cukai if you stay longer than 90 days or your phone is valued above USD 500. Use the Bea Cukai app or ecd.beacukai.go.id at arrival.

Which Indonesian SIM has the best coverage on remote islands?

Telkomsel. It has the widest and most reliable network across smaller islands and less populated areas of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua, and is often the only network in isolated spots. Indosat and XL are patchier, and Smartfren has the most limited remote coverage.

Can I use an eSIM and keep my Malaysian number?

Yes. Install an Indonesian data eSIM, set it as your primary data line, and keep your Malaysian physical SIM active for calls and SMS. Your phone must support eSIM. Smartfren, XL, Indosat and by.U (Telkomsel’s network) all offer options for tourists.

Where do I buy a SIM card and what do I need?

Buy at official stores like GraPARI, XL Center or Indosat Ooredoo Gallery, or at airport kiosks and authorised resellers such as Indomaret and Alfamart. Bring your passport, because the seller registers the SIM for you. Airport kiosks are convenient but may cost a bit more.

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📷 Featured image by Refhad on Unsplash.