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Region in North Sumatra, Indonesia

Internet in Lake Toba: speed, SIM cards and coworking

Updated October 2026Sources
51 MbpsMedian download

Is the internet good in Lake Toba?

Median fixed broadband in Indonesia is 51 Mbps and mobile is 66 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Tuktuk café and guesthouse wifi is slow and unstable; Telkomsel 4G works better than shared wifi.

Getting online in Lake Toba

Details
Home fibreFew long-term rentals; some guesthouses and cafés have wifi, but fibre is uncommon on Samosir.
Cafés and coworkingTuktuk café and guesthouse wifi is slow and unstable; Telkomsel 4G works better than shared wifi.
OutagesFrequent power cuts and signal drops
Tourist SIMAirport counters sell tourist SIMs at a mark-up; city outlets are cheaper. Passport needed for registration. Telkomsel has the widest coverage.
eSIMLocal carriers sell eSIMs to visitors.
CarriersTelkomsel, XL, Indosat IM3
Monthly data planRp100,000–200,000 ($5.6–11.2)
Blocked servicesReddit and adult sites are blocked; many people use VPNs.

Coworking in Lake Toba

There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.

Internet speeds in Southeast Asia

National medians, Speedtest Global Index.

CountryFixedMobile
Singapore463 Mbps164 Mbps
Vietnam301 Mbps220 Mbps
Thailand299 Mbps134 Mbps
Malaysia179 Mbps165 Mbps
Philippines114 Mbps66 Mbps
Brunei86 Mbps254 Mbps
Laos60 Mbps45 Mbps
Cambodia55 Mbps112 Mbps
Indonesia51 Mbps66 Mbps
Myanmar25 Mbps—

Quick answers

Is the internet fast in Lake Toba?

Median fixed broadband in Indonesia is 51 Mbps and mobile is 66 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Tuktuk café and guesthouse wifi is slow and unstable; Telkomsel 4G works better than shared wifi.

Which SIM card should I get in Lake Toba?

Airport counters sell tourist SIMs at a mark-up; city outlets are cheaper. Passport needed for registration. Telkomsel has the widest coverage.

Can I use an eSIM in Indonesia?

Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.

More about Lake Toba

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Sources

Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.