Practical, area-specific guidance for remote workers who need reliable connections.
Last updated: 6 Oct 2025 · General information only.
Step-by-step plan
- Decide primary work location (home, villa, coworking). If you need consistent video calls choose fibre or a reliable coworking space with tested speeds.
- Before booking accommodation, ask the host/agent for a recent speed test (speedtest.net or similar) and the provider name; verify during a viewing or on arrival.
- If renting long-term, confirm whether fibre (FTTH) is installed or can be brought in. Ask who pays installation and monthly fees.
- Get a local SIM as a backup: buy from major operators and activate a data pack (see Documents & Requirements).
- Test stability (not just peak Mbps) for 2–3 days at the property; run tests at different times and during your typical work hours.
- Set up a basic redundancy plan: mobile hotspot data + portable battery, or a paid coworking membership for critical days.
- Keep evidence of advertised speeds and tests in writing; this helps with complaints or refunds if service is not delivered.
Typical providers & technology
Major mobile operators and fibre providers commonly available across Bali include Telkomsel, XL/AXIATA, Indosat Ooredoo and fibre ISPs such as Biznet and local fibre networks. Availability and performance vary by neighbourhood and building. Confirm specific providers for your address and ask if there are known outages or network upgrades planned.
Documents & requirements for connectivity
- Passport — usually required for registering a postpaid SIM or getting assistance from a provider.
- Proof of address — some ISPs ask for a local address and the owner’s permission to install fibre.
- SIM registration — Indonesian regulations require ID for SIM activation; eSIM options are available from some carriers.
- Power/back-up — a UPS or power bank is useful for short power cuts. Confirm if your rental has a generator or backup system.
- Work permits and company details — not usually needed for internet, but keep business documentation if you plan a commercial-grade connection or business service plan.
- Insurance — confirm your travel/health/tech insurance covers equipment loss or theft; policies vary.
- Confirm locally: registration rules and documentation requirements may change. Always verify with the provider or your host.
Costs & budget notes
Costs vary by provider, plan speed, and whether you want a static IP or business-grade SLA. Below are approximate monthly ranges to help budgeting. Exchange rates change, figures are approximate.
| Service | Typical speed (download) | Typical monthly cost (IDR) | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home fibre (FTTH) — standard | 50–150 Mbps | 300,000–900,000 | £15–£45 |
| Home fibre — high speed / premium | 200–500 Mbps (limited areas) | 900,000–1,800,000 | £45–£90 |
| Mobile data (prepaid packs) | Varies, often 20–80 Mbps peak | 50,000–300,000 | £2.50–£15 |
| Coworking — monthly | Shared reliable lines, 50–200 Mbps | 800,000–2,500,000 | £40–£115 |
| Coworking — day pass | Shared | 50,000–200,000 | £2.50–£10 |
Notes: Home fibre packages often require a one-off installation fee. Some villas advertise “fast Wi‑Fi” but use basic routers with weak coverage — test before you commit.
Common pitfalls & how to avoid them
- Relying on advertised peak speeds — ask for recent speed tests from the property during your typical work hours.
- Assuming all areas have fibre — rural or new developments may still rely on mobile or ADSL; check provider coverage maps and local feedback.
- Ignoring latency — low Mbps is less important than stable ping for video calls and remote desktops; test latency to common servers.
- No backup plan — have a local SIM with a decent data package and a portable battery for essential calls during outages.
- Poor in-house Wi‑Fi coverage — even with fibre, building materials or layout can kill signal; consider a mesh router or additional access points.
- Paying upfront without trial — negotiate a trial period or test period before committing to long-term contracts.
- Assuming public places are quiet — coworking peak times can be noisy; check peak vs off-peak performance if you need quiet low-latency lines.
FAQs
How fast does internet need to be for remote work?
For video calls and typical remote work, aim for 10–25 Mbps download and 5–10 Mbps upload as a minimum. For multiple users, streaming or frequent large uploads choose 50 Mbps+. Also check latency and packet loss, they matter more for real-time apps.
Which Bali areas have the most reliable connections?
Urban and tourist-focused areas (parts of Canggu, Seminyak, Denpasar and some areas of Ubud and Sanur) typically have better fibre and mobile coverage. Performance can vary street by street, always verify for your exact address.
Is mobile data enough as a primary connection?
Mobile data can be fine for lightweight work and as a backup. For daily video conferencing and stable upload performance, a dedicated home fibre or a verified coworking connection is preferable.
Can I get a static IP or business-grade SLA?
Some ISPs offer business packages with static IPs and service guarantees. Expect higher costs and paperwork. Discuss options with providers; requirements and availability vary.
How do I test a property’s internet properly?
Run speed tests (speedtest.net or similar) at different times of day, test both download/upload and ping, and try a 15–30 minute video call to check stability. Ask the host for recent logs if possible.