Bali - VF Prepay Roaming or local sim?

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › Bali - VF Prepay Roaming or local sim?

DS248

1702 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 771

Lifetime subscriber

#251609 2-Jul-2019 22:36

Anyone have experience with VF Prepay Roaming in Bali?

In particular, is there good/reasonable coverage in most 'tourist' areas? In particular, Densapar area (Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur etc), Ubud, and Candidasa and surrounds? Other areas?

Or is it better (coverage-wise) to get a local sim?

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 878

Trusted

#2269022 3-Jul-2019 09:11

I've been considering Klook's pre-purchaesed cards for a trip

https://www.klook.com/en-NZ/activity/16234-3g-4g-sim-card-telkomsel-indonesia/

Anyone here used them before.

If you're there more than a week I suppose a local sim becomes a lot more cost effective.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Linux

12188 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8480

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2269026 3-Jul-2019 09:16

Bali has very good mobile coverage! I did a day tour and had coverage in very remote locations

Do you need your NZ number while in Bali if not then just get a local SIM

DS248

1702 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 771

Lifetime subscriber

#2269153 3-Jul-2019 11:35

I would prefer retaining my normal VF mobile number if possible. Cost of 2x weekly roaming packs not an issue.

Just a question of whether coverage under the VF roaming pack is good or not. Presumably depends on who VF team with in Bali, and what bands they work on. May depend on phone

Just returned from a work trip to Tokyo, and coverage for data there was very hit and miss (no problems for voice or txt). Good in 11th floor office but sometimes none at street level or below ground. Discussions with an 'expat-local' colleague suggested that the problem was that my NZ version Galaxy S8 covered only one of the two bands used by NTT Docomo (does not have the 1700 band)

FineWine

3115 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2447

Trusted

Nurse (R)

Lifetime subscriber

#2269154 3-Jul-2019 11:36

As previous said; "Do you need your NZ number while in Bali if not then just get a local SIM"

We never bought the full enchilada, phone & data, as only needed data as hotel Wifi's can be atrocious but still they are dirt cheap.

TIP: Load your phone in front of the seller, activate and check if working before walking away. We purchased ours from the shopping malls Telecom provider shops or kiosk's. Not from the road side kiosk's or dodgy looking snack bars.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

DS248

1702 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 771

Lifetime subscriber

#2269165 3-Jul-2019 11:58

OK, just checked https://www.frequencycheck.com/

Situation looks a lot more positive than it is for Japan, at least for GSM, UMTS & LTE (100% support). No CDMA support of course but I assume I can survive without that.

By comparison phone supports only 1/3 UMTS bands and 3/5 LTE bands on NTT Docomo in Japan.

Handle9

11927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9683

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2270737 5-Jul-2019 21:13

openmedia:
I've been considering Klook's pre-purchaesed cards for a trip

https://www.klook.com/en-NZ/activity/16234-3g-4g-sim-card-telkomsel-indonesia/

Anyone here used them before.

If you're there more than a week I suppose a local sim becomes a lot more cost effective.

I've literally just arrived in Bali and used this. It couldn't have been easier (they met us after customs). Super easy. Will let you in W about performance

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

KiwiSurfer

1725 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 994

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2271209 6-Jul-2019 22:36

If you want to find good info on local SIMs, try this wiki:

https://prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com/wiki/Indonesia

Handle9

11927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9683

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2274231 10-Jul-2019 18:59

Handle9:
openmedia:
I've been considering Klook's pre-purchaesed cards for a trip

https://www.klook.com/en-NZ/activity/16234-3g-4g-sim-card-telkomsel-indonesia/

Anyone here used them before.

If you're there more than a week I suppose a local sim becomes a lot more cost effective.

I've literally just arrived in Bali and used this. It couldn't have been easier (they met us after customs). Super easy. Will let you in W about performance

This has been pretty good for us in Nusa DIA. The wifi at the resort is appalling (sub 1Mbit if it will connect) so having the local SIM has been great.

Performance is a bit patchy but top ups are pretty cheap.

2GB international data with 10GB of local data is approx NZ$9

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 878

Trusted

#2274738 11-Jul-2019 17:36

I'm roaming via Skinny on my work number with no issues and generally good reception.

For Daughter we've got a $10 local SIM with 10GB of data that is working well so far.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

DS248

1702 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 771

Lifetime subscriber

#2281838 22-Jul-2019 22:05

OK, now returned from Bali. Used two VF $19 prepay roaming packs which covered the full trip. Worked well and meant I retained my NZ number. Had very good performance almost everywhere. The data and minutes allowances were more than sufficient for my needs. But did use hotel WiFi when at our accommodation. In general, no performance issues with the WiFi. We weren't staying in low end accommodation though.

Only one issue. I tried to post on my experience during our trip but the GZ website did not seem to operate properly on my phone. Though I was logged in, clicking on "Compose Reply" (or "Quote") returned me to the GZ Home page every time, instead of bringing up the reply editor screen. Even when zooming in on the "Compose Reply" to ensure there was no uncertainty about which button I was hitting (phone = Galaxy S8). Anyone else encountered that?