Basics - The Rough Guide to Bali and Lombok - page 92

MAKING INTERNATIONAL CALLS
To phone home from a local mobile or a land line you need to preface your home country
code with an international access code . Confusingly, Indonesia has many of these, de-
pending on your phone provider and on current discounted deals. If you are using a local
SIM card or a discount card you need to ask the vendor which is the best international
access code. If you're phoning from a wartel or hotel , ask the front desk which service
they recommend. The two main operators of land lines and mobile networks are Telkom
and Indosat. Telkom is prime international access code is 007 (advertised as their “premi-
um quality” service); the access code for their “budget service” (cheaper but possibly with
a fuzzier connection) is 01017. The Indosat equivalents are 001 (premium), 008 (economy)
and 01016 (VoIP).
To call an international number : dial the relevant international access code (as outlined
above) + IDD country code (eg 44 for the UK, or 1 for the US) + area code (minus its initial
zero if applicable) + local number.
To call Bali and Lombok from abroad : dial your international access code + 62 for In-
donesia + area code minus its initial zero + local number.
Mobile phones
Most UK , Australian and New Zealand mobiles use GSM technology, which works fine in
Indonesia, but contact your phone provider before leaving home to get international “roam-
ing” switched on. If you have a US or Canadian triband phone it will probably need to be
“unlocked” in order to work in Indonesia; check with your provider.
Buying a local SIM card can be a useful alternative, especially as international calls from
Indonesian mobiles can work out cheaper than via land lines. Buying a local 3G SIM card
will make mobile internet a great deal cheaper than using roaming on your home mobile,
though the availability of wi-fi in main resorts might mean that's unnecessary for your pur-
poses. Mobiles are used everywhere in Bali and Lombok and there are phone shops all over,
even in villages. Staff may have to unblock your phone first and will also advise on the best
SIM card for your needs, bearing in mind local and international coverage. They should also
fill you in on promotions and access codes for discounted calls; travellers' forums are also a
good source of advice. You should be able to get a basic SIM card for Rp25,000-35,000, with
a small amount of credit thrown in; 3G cards cost a little more. Some “lucky” or “easy-to-re-
member” SIM numbers cost more so it's always worth asking if there's a cheaper number for
sale. Top-up cards are sold at mobile-phone stalls everywhere.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
International operator 101, 107