The fastest way to get connected in Surabaya is a Telkomsel prepaid SIM, bought from an official GraPARI store with your passport in hand — it takes about 15–20 minutes, costs a few dollars for the starter pack, and gives you the country’s strongest coverage. For home internet, IndiHome (Telkomsel’s fiber arm) or MyRepublic are the two most common choices among residents. Here’s how to set up both without the usual first-week friction.
Choosing a Mobile Carrier
Indonesia has three major carriers worth considering:
- Telkomsel — the clear leader on coverage and speed, including strong 4G/5G in Surabaya specifically, and the safest default if you want a network that works reliably everywhere in the city and beyond
- XL Axiata — positioned well for cost-effective high-speed data in urban centers, with home fiber bundles that appeal to those wanting mobile and home internet from one provider
- Indosat (IM3) — known for offering some of the largest data quotas at competitive prices, a solid choice for heavy data users
For most new arrivals, Telkomsel is the practical default — it’s the most reliable network for making calls, video conferencing, and traveling around East Java, even if it’s occasionally a touch pricier than competitors.
Buying a SIM Card as a Foreigner
Indonesian regulations require SIM card registration tied to an ID, and for foreigners that means your passport (and ideally your KITAS, if you have one). While SIM cards are sold at convenience stores and kiosks, registering as a foreigner at those outlets can be unreliable — the safest route is an official Telkomsel GraPARI store, where staff can walk you through registration directly and your card won’t risk being suspended later over registration issues.
What to bring: your passport, and your KITAS if you have it (required for certain packages and for eSIM registration). A basic prepaid starter pack costs a small amount, and data packages are inexpensive by international standards — plans offering large monthly data allowances are widely available at reasonable prices.
eSIM Option
All three major carriers now offer eSIM in 2026, which is a convenient option if your phone supports it — no physical card to swap, and you can run it alongside your home SIM for dual-SIM functionality. Telkomsel’s eSIM registration for foreign citizens is validated through your KITAS, so this route works best once your residence permit is sorted rather than immediately on arrival.
Setting Up Home Internet
For home or apartment internet, fiber connections are the standard in urban Surabaya, with IndiHome (Telkomsel’s fixed broadband arm) the most widely available option, alongside private competitors like MyRepublic and Biznet in better-covered areas. Setup typically requires:
- A copy of your passport and KITAS
- Proof of address (rental agreement or domicile letter)
- A local phone number for account registration and billing
Installation usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks depending on whether fiber is already run to your building — worth checking with your landlord or building management before signing a lease if reliable home internet is a priority, since not every address has fiber access yet.
Realistic Monthly Costs
Budget roughly $10–$20 a month for a generous mobile data plan (50–100GB+) on Telkomsel, and separately around $15–$30 a month for home fiber internet, depending on speed tier. Combined, most residents spend $25–$50 a month to stay well connected on both fronts — modest by international standards, and covered in more detail in our cost of living breakdown.
FAQ
Can I buy a SIM card at the airport when I arrive?
Yes, and it’s convenient, but airport kiosks typically charge more than a GraPARI store in the city — fine for the first day or two, worth switching to a proper GraPARI registration once you’re settled.
Do I need a KITAS to get a SIM card?
Not for a basic prepaid tourist SIM, which can be registered with just a passport. A KITAS becomes more relevant for eSIM registration and for setting up home internet under your name.
Is Telkomsel worth the extra cost compared to XL or Indosat?
For most residents, yes — the coverage and reliability advantage matters more day to day than the modest price difference, especially if you travel outside the city or need dependable calls for work.
How fast is home internet in Surabaya?
Fiber connections from IndiHome or similar providers commonly offer speeds well suited to remote work and video calls; actual performance depends on your specific building and plan tier, so it’s worth asking neighbors or your landlord about real-world speeds before committing to a package.
