It’s safe to say that everyone agrees with what Paul Watzlawick, a communication theorist, says above. As social creatures, we can’t live without interacting with other human beings. The good news is we don’t have to worry about how to communicate anymore, since there are a lot of technology innovations that allow us to communicate with each other more conveniently these days.

This convenience also applies for foreigners who are currently in Indonesia. As foreigners, you still can make a phone call as long as you have a phone number. Yes, you can use your old phone number to make a call, the one you got from your original country. But it will be a lot cheaper and more convenient if you get SIM card telephone number in Indonesia. Here’s how you can do it!

Where to get a prepaid SIM card in Indonesia

Since most people in Indonesia use a mobile phone, fortunately it’s not that hard to get SIM card telephone number in Indonesia, especially if you currently stay a major cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, or Bali. In many roadsides, you will find several shops that specifically sell SIM cards from various local providers. Besides these shops, usually a number of cellphone companies open their own stores at malls. You can also get your SIM card here. Don’t hesitate to ask the seller to help you register the card on the spot.

Choosing a mobile phone number in Indonesia

When choosing a SIM card mobile phone number in Indonesia, you need to pay attention to the service offered. It’s better to choose a SIM card that comes preloaded with data since it will help simplify the process. However, make sure that the advertised data is not just “local data”, which means it’s only good in the specific area where it’s sold. Opt for a SIM card that offers “Flash” internet service.

Fortunately, there are many local providers in Indonesia that offer such a service. Telkomsel has by far the best coverage across Indonesia. Well, this may vary by region you’re currently in, but generally this provider has the fastest speed. If you live in Jakarta, especially in Senopati Apartment by Pudjiadi Prestige, you don’t need to worry about the signal since this area is known as one of the busiest districts in Jakarta.

Some of Telkomsel’s popular cards include Loop and simPATI. In addition to Telkomsel, some other SIM card providers in Indonesia that you can consider are XL, Indosat Ooredoo, Axis, and 3/Tri.

How much do you need to pay for a prepaid SIM card in Indonesia?

SIM card telephone number in Indonesia is generally pretty cheap. Some providers even offer as low as IDR 10,000. The price usually depends on how much data is offered. However, be careful if you find big advertising like 20GB or more data. It usually comes with certain terms and conditions.

For instance, you can only use it after midnight, only work with 4G, or only work for video streaming service like HOOQ. If you’re not feeling sure, don’t hesitate to confirm with the seller. To play it safe, you can buy a cheap SIM card telephone number in Indonesia and top it up later.

Don’t forget to register your SIM card

As of May 1st, 2018, a new regulation requires all foreigners to register their SIM cards with either KITAS, KITAP, or passport. There are several ways to register your phone number. Here’s a little guide to help you:

• SMS – send your passport number or KITAS/KITAP number to 4444.
• Online – download the application of cellular service operator and follow the instruction.
• Cellular provider service gallery – Bring your passport and/or KITAS/KITAP, and you will be assisted to make a SIM card registration without additional fees.

We hope this quick guideline can help you get a SIM card phone number in Indonesia. With a SIM card, you not only will be able to make phone calls or send text messages, but also purchase a data package to access internet. Did you find this information helpful? Let us know in the comment section below!

Living cost is one of many questions worth answering for expats who want to live in Jakarta. As one of the biggest cities in Indonesia, living cost in Jakarta might be higher than other cities. This is an important thing to consider for expats who especially are at the beginning to build their own company in Indonesia. So, how much is the cost of living for expats in Jakarta? Is it really expensive? Let’s find out the answer and the complete information below!

Since there are various housing rents available in Jakarta, the cost also ranges from affordable prices to expensive ones. It all depends on the area in which the building located. For instance, the average cost of rent room (much like a homestay or a dorm) is about IDR 3.5 million per month if it’s located in the downtown. The cost can be cheaper if it’s located in the suburban area.

However, compared to the apartment, the rental cost of rent room is relatively cheaper. For 1 bedroom apartment in downtown, you need to spend at least IDR7.5 million for the rental cost. This cost can multiply up to three times if you prefer to rent a 3 bedrooms apartment, with the rental cost will be about IDR24.5 million per month.

You can save a lot of your living cost in Indonesia if you cook your own foods at home. Even though there are quite a lot of inexpensive restaurants in Jakarta, you still need to spend at least IDR 35,000 for a one-time meal. Assuming that you eat three times a day, you will have to spend about IDR 105,000 for food alone for a day.

With the same amount of money, you can buy many home-cooking ingredients such as eggs (around IDR 24,000 per dozen), 1 litre of milk for around IDR 20,000, 1 kg chicken breasts for around IDR 47,000, and many types fruits. The best part is that you can stock them for days.

You don’t have to worry about transportation in Jakarta since this city offers various types of transportation. One of the most preferred options is online-based ridesharing. All you have to do is download the app and use it to order a ride. The fare takes from IDR 2,200 to IDR 3,300 per kilometre.

As alternatives, you can also use public transportation like TransJakarta, which one-way ticket only costs for about IDR 3,500. Since April 2019, Jakarta also finally now has its own MRT that costs around IDR 3,000 to IDR 14,000 – which depends on your destination. But if you prefer to drive on your own, the gasoline (high-quality one) costs around IDR 9,000 per 1 litre.

The living cost in Jakarta really depends on the type of lifestyle you are doing. Jakarta has a range of entertainment options. There are tons of malls you can explore each weekend. In this city, you can get engaged in many leisure activities such as watching movies (IDR 100,000 for two people), enjoying a cup of cappuccino (IDR 50,000 in expat area of the city), or having dinner in a nice pub (IDR 250,000 for two people).

Meanwhile, in terms of shopping for clothes, 1 pair of Levis Jeans usually costs around IDR 600,000, which you can also find at malls. For those of you who are looking for a nice summer dress, chain stores at Zara and H&M usually sell it for around IDR 400,000. Need to get yourself running shoes? A pair of Nike Running Shoes is available at the cost of IDR 1,1 million.

Basic utilities for average household per month, including electricity, water, and gas is around IDR 900,000 to IDR 1.5 million. In the digital era like today, you will also need internet plan, which you can install with the cost of IDR 400,000 to IDR 600,000. Meanwhile, 1-minute of prepaid mobile tariff local is around IDR 2,000. In addition to that, you also need budget for laundry. The monthly cost is usually around IDR 400,000.

Those are some information about living cost for expats in Jakarta. Living cost in Jakarta can increase due to the economic situation in Indonesia. However, to measure your monthly living cost according to the information above is so likely applicable. Your living cost could be higher or lower, depending on your own lifestyle, but on average, living cost in Jakarta for expats is not considered very high compared to other countries.

Looking for residence in Jakarta? Senopati Apartment by Pudjiadi Prestige, with its strategic location close from SCBD, is a perfect deal. Comes with complete facilities and high-security system, you’ll find a great comfort while living in Jakarta.

The digital era has made many changes, both positive and negative. One of the positives that can be felt is the increasingly flexible working time and place. Some jobs can even be done without having to go to the office in the literal sense. With a smooth internet connection, a set of laptops and the necessary equipment, one can work from anywhere. After the trend of hanging out in cafes, the current favorite for workers is working in coworking spaces.

Coworking spaces are the answer for freelancers, new business owners who don’t have an office to still get the “atmosphere” of an office but can be more flexible in managing their working time. Coworking space owners usually rent out various packages, for example based on the duration of the room rental hours or the capacity of the rented room with various facilities like in an office. Kemang, South Jakarta is one of the favorite coworking space spots for Jakarta millennials.

Located at Jalan Bangka XII no 4 Mampang, Freeware Labs Kemang provides a wide selection of packages and rooms for you to work. At Freeware Labs the facilities provided include a projector, wifi, mineral water, flipchart, free coffee or tea. There are rooms for 3 – 13 people and also out door areas that can accommodate up to 100 people. There is also a snack package that makes you not need to be confused if you need snacks during your activities at Freeware Labs Kemang.

Not only offering office space facilities, Impact Hub Jakarta is also a community of workers or start-ups. Not only a place to work, Impact Hub also connects start-ups and professionals from more than 80 countries in the world. It is possible to connect with start-ups in other parts of the world who are also members of the Impact Hub community. Coworkinc provides a comfortable working atmosphere for its members.

With its industrial-style room design, Conclave soon became the talk of the town for students and freelancers who need a comfortable workspace. It is undeniable that the interior design of a workspace greatly affects one’s mood when it comes to getting work done. Although it is an open space with no dividers, there are tables that can be used as work desks. The nature of Conclave is communal, so it is possible for members to work together and open new partnerships. There is also a photo studio, and an auditorium that can accommodate up to 120 people. Conclave is located at Jalan Wijaya 1 No 5C Petogogan, Kebayoran Baru.

What’s interesting at Workout is that they rent out cubicals that make you feel like you’re working in your own office. The security is guaranteed even if you leave documents or stationery on the desk because the cubical that is rented is only for you. No need to bring other work equipment if you want to utilize the facilities at Workout, just bring your laptop and don’t forget to bring the charger. Open on weekdays, Monday to Friday from 09:00 – 17:00. The location is at Grand Panglima Polim Office Kav 1 South Jakarta.

You will feel more at home living in Kemang Apartement surrounded by coworking spaces that are easily accessible and make you more productive. The location of the residence and workplace is close, making life more quality. Especially for those of you who live a modern lifestyle, living in a prestigious area in South Jakarta with all the conveniences such as the establishment of a cozy coworking space is an advantage.