Phones are cheaper in Singapore, I believe Indonesia government intention is to prevent Indonesian buying phones here and bring back, however such ruling has also cause inconvenience to foreign visitors. Phones bought after 2020 here can't use Indonesia SIM, no internet access without WiFi, yet they require all foreign visitors to install Pedulindungi on phone, contradiction policy.
I do not know about the phones but on arrival at Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal on morning of17 May, I was surprised that they help me to connect to the free WiFi to scan into PeduliLindungi, no problem at all.
I’m in Batam now. The process was really straightforward. For bros trying to visit here, this is what you need to do.
1. Book Ferry Tickets
2. Purchase covid19 insurance with destination as ASEAN (buy from Changirecommends as it’s the cheapest)
3. Within 3 days before the arrival date, fill the SG Arrival online
4. A day or two before you depart to Batam, download and complete your profile in the PeduliLindungi app (this app you won’t use anytime when you’re here)
5. Fill up the Letter of statement while you’re in the ferry
6. Activate roaming for the number of days you are here (I used StarHub $5 plan that gives me 3 days of roaming with 1GB of data)
Other notes: the malls or buildings here need you to check temperature but no need to check in or check out. No need predeparture test or on arrival test unless you have some symptoms.
I paid RP100,000 for Smartfren SIM Card at Batam Center upon arrival on May 6, the staff who sold me the SIM Card also activate the card for me on the spot, save all the trouble, 3 GB data, no regular phone call, only VOIP, vaild for 2 weeks. However can only work on phones bought outside Indonesia before 2020.
I paid RP100,000 for Smartfren SIM Card at Batam Center upon arrival on May 6, the staff who sold me the SIM Card also activate the card for me on the spot, save all the trouble, 3 GB data, no regular phone call, only VOIP, vaild for 2 weeks. However can only work on phones bought outside Indonesia before 2020.
I have no problem getting into the Indonesian network using my cheap 5$ monthly TPG card, although connection may be poor at times. Manage to get all my Gojek bookings.
Maybe you can help do a simple test to see if any of your existing phones IMEI is registered?
I just checked, none of my phone is registered. However i can use my Samsung S10 with Smartfren even the IMEI was not registered. Probably the staff who sell the SIM cards at Batam Center has somehow activate it. ( as i have handed my Samsung S10 to the staff to insert the new Smartfren card and get it activated). I've also try to insert the same SIM card into both my Samsung A12 abd A22, none can work. I don't know how the staff at Batam Center get my S10 connected to Smartfren network. Maybe she has registered for me using her ID details, but only for 14 days ( as the Smartfren SIM card only valid for 14 days start from May 6). My cewek told me that the SIM card i bought at Batam Center only cost RP40,000 at Tg Balai, but I paid RP100,000, so the RP60,000 may be going for her kopi money to get the SIM card work on my phone. Probably it would be more worthwhile for frequent travelers to buy a cheap phone there or maybe buy a mobile WiFi router (I don't know is all WiFi router work on Indonesia SIM Card or not)
Heard from the money changer in ViVoCity that Batam Ferry from HarbourFront to Batam Centre will commence from Wednesday 25th May onwards.
Hopefully that is true....
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i am also curious how the technology behind work. when you inserted the new Smartfren sim into the 2 "non-working" phones, did you check and setup the APN settings? APN is required to access data service.
Also is the "working" and 2 "non-working" phones displaying VOLTE? This VOLTE is required to "turn ON" for certain phones in order to call/text using the sim that need VOLTE.
For example, SIMBA aka TPG in sg need VOLTE turn on in order to call/text. Phones without VOLTE "turn ON" or have the feature by default will need to download telco apps in order to use VOLTE service to make call/text.
ps.
Additional infos. Hope the info can be useful to bros going to batam.
I've 3 phones using 4 different local SIM cards, Samsung S10 is the only phone which i use TPG SIM card and with TPG voice installed. My other 2 phones Samsung A12 and A22 are newer than S10, should also support VOIP which i use Zero 1, Singtel & Circlecare, however both A12 and A22 can't work with Smartfren SIM card. Even my TPG card ($10 50GB plan) also can't connect to internet at Batam. Fortunately i'm in hotel room most of the time which can access to free WiFi.
I’m in Batam now. The process was really straightforward. For bros trying to visit here, this is what you need to do.
1. Book Ferry Tickets
2. Purchase covid19 insurance with destination as ASEAN (buy from Changirecommends as it’s the cheapest)
3. Within 3 days before the arrival date, fill the SG Arrival online
4. A day or two before you depart to Batam, download and complete your profile in the PeduliLindungi app (this app you won’t use anytime when you’re here)
5. Fill up the Letter of statement while you’re in the ferry
6. Activate roaming for the number of days you are here (I used StarHub $5 plan that gives me 3 days of roaming with 1GB of data)
Other notes: the malls or buildings here need you to check temperature but no need to check in or check out. No need predeparture test or on arrival test unless you have some symptoms.
Am interested to know what do the authorities check when you enter batam immigration checkpoint. (valid passport is standard of course)
Only the travel insurance with covid19 coverage document? And the letter of statement?
21-05-2022, 12:22 PM
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when you inserted the new Smartfren sim into the 2 "non-working" phones, did you check and setup the APN settings? 
APN is required to access data service. 
