Stay Connected in Medan
Network coverage, costs, and options
Connectivity Overview
Medan's Mobile connectivity has improved significantly in recent years, with decent 4G coverage throughout the city and expanding 5G networks in central areas. As Indonesia's third-largest city, you'll find reliable internet access in hotels, cafes, and shopping centers. The main challenge isn't coverage quality but getting connected quickly upon arrival. Three major carriers dominate the market: Telkomsel (strongest coverage), XL Axiata, and Indosat Ooredoo. International roaming works but is expensive. Your main choice is between grabbing a local SIM card at the airport or using an eSIM for instant connectivity. Both have merit depending on your travel style and priorities.
Get Connected Before You Land
We recommend Airalo for peace of mind. Buy your eSIM now and activate it when you arrive—no hunting for SIM card shops, no language barriers, no connection problems. Just turn it on and you're immediately connected in Medan.
Network Coverage & Speed
Telkomsel offers the most complete coverage across Medan and North Sumatra, making it the go-to choice for travelers venturing beyond the city. Their 4G network covers 95% of urban Medan with decent speeds averaging 15-25 Mbps. XL Axiata provides competitive city coverage with slightly faster speeds in central areas, while Indosat Ooredoo offers good value but can be spotty in suburban areas. 5G is rolling out in business districts like Medan Center and major shopping areas, though it's not essential for most travel needs. Network congestion can slow speeds during peak hours (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM), but rarely becomes unusable. WiFi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, and malls, though quality varies. Public WiFi exists but isn't reliable for important tasks. Overall, you'll stay well-connected throughout Medan with any major carrier.
How to Stay Connected
eSIM
eSIM is increasingly the smart choice for Medan visitors. You get instant connectivity the moment you land – no hunting for SIM card shops or dealing with language barriers. Providers like Airalo offer Indonesia plans starting around $4-8 for short stays, which is reasonable considering the convenience factor. The main advantages are immediate activation, keeping your home number active, and avoiding the airport SIM card hustle where you might get overcharged or confused by plan options. Coverage piggybacks on major local networks, so quality matches what you'd get with local SIMs. The downside? It's typically 20-40% more expensive than local options, and you can't easily top up or change plans on the ground. For stays under two weeks, the convenience usually justifies the extra cost.
Local SIM Card
Local SIM cards are readily available at Medan's Kualanamu Airport, with official carrier booths from Telkomsel, XL, and Indosat. Expect to pay 50,000-100,000 IDR ($3-7 USD) for a starter pack with decent data allowances. You'll need your passport for registration – this is mandatory and takes 5-10 minutes. Airport prices are slightly inflated; you'll find better deals at Indomaret or Alfamart convenience stores throughout the city. Telkomsel's 'Simpati' prepaid is most popular with tourists for its reliable coverage. Top-ups are easy through the ubiquitous convenience stores or Mobile apps. The main hassles are the airport queue times, language barriers during setup, and losing your home number accessibility. However, if you're staying over a month or traveling extensively around Sumatra, local SIMs offer the best value and flexibility.
Comparison
Local SIMs win on pure cost – roughly 30-40% cheaper than eSIMs for equivalent data. However, eSIMs dominate on convenience, offering instant connectivity without airport hassles, language barriers, or registration queues. International roaming is the most expensive option, often 5-10x more costly than either alternative. For connectivity quality, all three options use the Easttimor underlying networks, so performance is essentially identical. The real deciding factors are your budget flexibility, trip duration, and how much you value immediate connectivity versus saving money.
Our Recommendations
First-time visitors: Go with eSIM through providers like Airalo. You'll land with working internet for maps, translation apps, and ride-hailing – invaluable when navigating a new city. Skip the airport SIM stress entirely. Budget travelers: If every dollar counts, local SIMs are 30-40% cheaper, but factor in your time and potential confusion. For most budget travelers, eSIM's convenience is worth the modest premium. Long-term stays (1+ months): Local SIM makes financial sense. You'll recoup the airport hassle through monthly savings, plus get better top-up flexibility for extended travel. Business travelers: eSIM is essential – you need connectivity immediately for work communications, and the cost difference is negligible compared to your time value. The peace of mind knowing you're connected before clearing customs is priceless.
Our Top Pick: Airalo
For convenience, price, and safety, we recommend Airalo. Purchase your eSIM before your trip and activate it upon arrival—you'll have instant connectivity without the hassle of finding a local shop, dealing with language barriers, or risking being offline when you first arrive. It's the smart, safe choice for staying connected in Medan.
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