There are six main providers in Indonesia who offer telecommunication possibilities for mobile phones.

• Telkomsel
• Indosat
• XL
• Three (3)
• Mobile 8
• Esia

Some provider have several Sim Card Brands depending on different tarifs.

Telkomsel: Telkomsel, Simpati, As, Flexi,

Indosat: Mentari, IM3, Star One,

XL

Three (3)

Mobile 8: Fren

Esia

It is really hard to say who is the best provider for mobile telecommunication. On Java Island Telkomsel, XL and Indosat are working well. In Bali people say that Telkomsel is the better choice because of a better atenna coverage so that the signals are stronger. If you go to islands which have not a good infrastruce I would prefer Telskomsel brands as Sempati or Telkomsel itself. Telkomsel Tarifs are a little bit more expensive than the other ones.

I have decided to buy a XL prepaid card because XL has a very good service and the price is not too expensive for making phone calls and sending sms. The cheaper the rates the more people use a sim card according to the cheap brand. Some years ago I decided to buy a Mentari Sim Card. The rates for making calls and sending sms are really low. But my calls got often interuppted and sms sometimes didn´t get through. Also sending sms to abroad it was most of the time impossible. The telecommunication net was most of the time overburdened. Meanwhile Mentari has improved its service and it is working well. Should be better than XL people say.