The Best Mobile Phone Internet Network in Indonesia 2024

Indonesia’s mobile telecommunications sector is highly competitive, with major providers such as Telkomsel, 3 (Tri), IM3 Ooredoo, XL Axiata, and Smartfren vying for market dominance.

If you’re looking for the best mobile internet network in Indonesia for 2024, Telkomsel stands out as the clear leader. With the highest download speeds, superior consistency, and unmatched gaming performance, Telkomsel continues to set the benchmark for reliable and high-quality mobile connectivity across the country.

In this analysis, we’ll explore how Telkomsel outperforms other providers like XL, IM3 Ooredoo, 3, and Smartfren, making it the top choice for mobile users in Indonesia.

Provider Profiles

Telkomsel

As a subsidiary of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk, Telkomsel is the largest mobile network operator in Indonesia, offering extensive coverage and a wide range of services, including 4G and 5G networks.

3 (Tri)

Operated by Hutchison 3 Indonesia, Tri focuses on providing affordable data packages, targeting the youth demographic with competitive pricing and innovative services.

IM3 Ooredoo

A brand under Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, IM3 Ooredoo offers various prepaid and postpaid plans, emphasizing digital services and customer engagement through apps like myIM3.

XL Axiata

A subsidiary of Axiata Group Berhad, XL Axiata provides a broad spectrum of telecommunications services, including mobile and fixed-line offerings, with a focus on enhancing digital experiences.

Smartfren

Known for its affordable data plans, Smartfren operates exclusively on 4G LTE networks and has been expanding its services to include eSIM technology and various digital lifestyle offerings.

Median Download Speeds

Telkomsel stood out as the leader in Indonesia’s mobile network performance, achieving the highest median download speed of 31.14 Mbps.

This exceptional speed reflects the provider’s robust network infrastructure, significantly outperforming its competitors. In comparison, XL Axiata and IM3 Ooredoo followed as the second and third-fastest providers with median download speeds of 20.77 Mbps and 20.31 Mbps, respectively.

Meanwhile, 3 (Tri) and Smartfren trailed with median speeds of 19.95 Mbps and 18.76 Mbps, offering competitive yet relatively lower performance.

Telkomsel’s superior download speeds position it as the top choice for users seeking fast and reliable mobile connectivity in Indonesia.

Network Consistency

In the first half of 2024, Telkomsel emerged as the top performer in network consistency among Indonesia’s mobile providers, achieving the highest consistency score of 85.6% according to Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence®.

This score highlights Telkomsel’s strong ability to maintain stable connections and deliver predictable speeds across its network.

While other providers like XL (85.2%), 3 (Tri) (82.9%), and IM3 Ooredoo (82.1%) also demonstrated reliable performance, Telkomsel’s superior consistency reinforced its position as the most dependable choice for users seeking uninterrupted and stable mobile connectivity.

Gaming Experience

Telkomsel provided the best gaming experience in Indonesia during the first half of 2024, thanks to its combination of high download speeds and low latency.

These factors make Telkomsel the ideal choice for gamers who rely on fast and stable connections for smooth gameplay.

While specific gaming metrics for other operators like 3, IM3 Ooredoo, XL, and Smartfren were not detailed, their relatively higher latencies suggest they offer a less optimal gaming experience compared to Telkomsel.

Conclusion

Telkomsel consistently outperformed its competitors in key performance metrics, including download speed, latency, and gaming experience, during the first half of 2024.

While other operators like XL, IM3 Ooredoo, 3, and Smartfren offered competitive services, they lagged behind Telkomsel in these critical areas.

Users prioritizing high-speed connectivity and low latency, especially for gaming and real-time applications, may find Telkomsel to be the most suitable choice.

Nonetheless, XL and IM3 Ooredoo provide viable alternatives for users seeking balanced performance, while Smartfren appeals to budget-conscious customers with affordable data plans.