Q: "How do I set up internet, electricity, and water utilities in Bali for my family?"

Setting up utilities is crucial for family comfort in Bali. Here's everything you need to know about getting connected, costs, and what to expect for internet, electricity, water, and other essential services.

The Quick Setup Priority List

Day 1 priorities:

Internet: Essential for work and kids' schooling
Electricity: Usually already connected in rentals
Water: Check quality and backup options
Mobile phones: Local SIM cards for the family

Week 1-2:

Gas connection for cooking
Waste management setup
Cable TV/streaming setup
Backup power solutions

Family essentials:

Reliable internet for online schooling
Stable electricity for air conditioning
Clean water for drinking and cooking
Emergency backup plans for all utilities

Internet & WiFi Setup

Best Providers for Families

1. Biznet (Recommended for families)

Speed: Up to 300 Mbps
Reliability: Most stable for work/school
Installation: 2-7 days
Cost: 600K-1.5M IDR/month
Family benefits: Good for multiple devices, video calls
Coverage: Denpasar, Ubud, major areas
Contact: 1500789

2. Telkom IndiHome

Speed: 20-100 Mbps
Cost: 350K-800K IDR/month
Pros: Widest coverage, includes phone line
Cons: Can be unstable during peak hours
Good for: Budget-conscious families
Installation: 3-14 days
Contact: 147

3. Oxygen.id (Premium option)

Speed: Up to 500 Mbps
Cost: 800K-2M IDR/month
Pros: Excellent for remote work, gaming
Cons: Limited coverage areas
Best for: Tech-heavy families
Installation: 5-10 days

4. XL Home

Speed: 50-200 Mbps
Cost: 400K-1M IDR/month
Pros: Good customer service
Cons: Newer network, limited areas
Installation: 3-7 days

Internet Installation Process

Required documents:

KITAS (residence permit)
Passport copy
Rental agreement or property ownership
Local contact number
Address verification

Step-by-step process:

Visit provider office with documents
Choose package based on family needs
Schedule installation (bring calendar)
Pay deposit (usually 1-2 months advance)
Installation day (be present for 4-6 hours)
Test connection thoroughly before technician leaves

Installation timeline:

Document verification: Same day
Technical survey: 1-3 days
Installation appointment: 3-14 days
Actual installation: 2-6 hours

Family Internet Considerations

Bandwidth planning:

2 adults working from home: 50+ Mbps
Kids online schooling: +20 Mbps per child
Streaming entertainment: +25 Mbps per device
Video calls: 5-10 Mbps per call
Recommended minimum for families: 100 Mbps

Multiple connection strategy:

Primary: Fiber connection (Biznet/Oxygen)
Backup: Mobile hotspot (Telkomsel/XL)
Emergency: Neighbor sharing agreement
Travel: Portable WiFi device

Mobile Phones & Data Plans

Best Networks for Families

Telkomsel (Best coverage)

Coverage: Excellent throughout Bali
Data packages: 5GB-unlimited
Cost: 150K-500K IDR/month
Family plans: Available
International roaming: Good options

XL Axiata

Pros: Good speeds in urban areas
Cost: 100K-400K IDR/month
Student discounts: Sometimes available
Coverage: Good in South Bali, spotty elsewhere

Indosat (3)

Budget option: Cheapest data plans
Coverage: Adequate in main areas
Cost: 80K-300K IDR/month
Good for: Kids' phones, backup lines

Family Mobile Setup

Getting SIM cards:

Bring passport for registration
Kids can share adult accounts
Buy at official stores (avoid street vendors)
Register immediately (required by law)
Top up vs monthly plans available

Recommended family packages:

Parents: Unlimited data plans (300K+ IDR)
Teenagers: 20-50GB plans (200K IDR)
Younger kids: Shared family data or WiFi-only devices
Emergency phones: Basic plans (50K IDR)

International Calling

Staying connected home:

WhatsApp: Free with data (most popular)
Skype: Good quality, low cost
Zoom: For family calls, work meetings
International calling cards: Available at convenience stores
Roaming: Expensive, better to use local SIM + WhatsApp

Electricity System

Understanding PLN (State Electricity)

How it works:

PLN: Monopoly electricity provider
Prepaid system: Most common (pulsa listrik)
Postpaid: Monthly billing option
Power ratings: 450W, 900W, 1300W, 2200W, etc.
Voltage: 220V (different from US 110V)

Typical power needs for families:

Small family (2-3 people): 1300W sufficient
Larger family (4+ people): 2200W recommended
With pool/large AC: 4400W or higher
Home office setup: Factor in computers, printers

Electricity Costs

Prepaid rates (per kWh):

Subsidy rate: 1,352 IDR (limited usage)
Standard rate: 1,467 IDR
High usage: Progressive pricing
Average family bill: 800K-2M IDR/month

Monthly cost examples:

1-bedroom with AC: 600K-1.2M IDR
3-bedroom family home: 1.5M-3M IDR
Villa with pool: 3M-6M IDR
Energy-efficient home: 30% less

Managing Electricity Bills

Prepaid advantages:

Control spending
No surprise bills
Buy credit at any minimarket
Monitor usage daily
No late fees

Buying electricity credit:

Indomaret/Alfamart: Most convenient
PLN Mobile app: 24/7 access
ATMs: Bank Mandiri, BRI, BNI
Online: Tokopedia, Shopee, OVO
Amounts: 50K, 100K, 200K, 500K IDR

Energy saving tips:

Use AC efficiently (26°C optimal)
LED bulbs throughout house
Unplug devices when not in use
Use fans with AC for better circulation
Solar hot water systems

Water System

Water Sources & Quality

Tap water reality:

Not safe for drinking without treatment
OK for: Showering, washing dishes, laundry
Varies by area: Some places better than others
Seasonal changes: Quality can fluctuate

Drinking water solutions:

Bottled water: Most common (Aqua, Cleo)
Water refill stations: Cheaper, environmental friendly
Home filtration: Investment for long-term stay
Boiling: Traditional method, time-consuming

Water Supply Systems

PDAM (Municipal water):

Coverage: Major areas of Bali
Cost: 50K-200K IDR/month
Quality: Varies significantly
Pressure: Can be low during dry season
Reliability: Generally stable supply

Well water (sumur):

Common in: Rural areas, older properties
Quality: Requires testing
Cost: Just electricity for pump
Maintenance: Regular pump servicing needed
Backup: Usually needed during dry season

Water delivery:

Tanki air: Large truck deliveries
Cost: 400K-800K IDR per 5,000L
Used for: Swimming pools, emergency backup
Quality: Industrial use, not drinking

Family Water Solutions

Daily drinking water:

19L bottles: 25K-40K IDR each
Delivery service: Weekly or bi-weekly
Refill stations: 3K-5K IDR per 19L
Family of 4 usage: 2-3 bottles per week

Water filtration systems:

Basic carbon filter: 500K-1M IDR
Multi-stage system: 2M-5M IDR
Reverse osmosis: 5M-15M IDR
UV sterilization: Additional 1M-3M IDR
Maintenance: 200K-500K IDR/year

Installation considerations:

Water pressure requirements
Space for filtration system
Electrical requirements
Regular filter replacement
Professional installation recommended

Gas Connection

LPG Gas System

Standard setup:

Pertamina gas cylinders: 3kg, 12kg, 50kg sizes
Family use: 12kg cylinder most common
Duration: 12kg lasts 2-4 weeks for family cooking
Cost: 180K-250K IDR per 12kg cylinder
Delivery: Available in most areas

Gas appliances:

Stoves: 2-4 burner options
Ovens: Available but less common
Water heaters: Gas or electric options
Safety: Detectors recommended

Safety considerations:

Proper ventilation essential
Regular hose and regulator checks
Keep spare cylinder in ventilated area
Teach family members safety procedures
Emergency numbers for gas leaks

Alternative Cooking

Electric options:

Induction cooktops: Energy efficient
Electric ovens: Available in appliance stores
Rice cookers: Essential for Asian cooking
Pros: Safer, no gas storage needed
Cons: Higher electricity costs

Combination approach:

Gas for daily cooking
Electric for baking
Backup gas cylinder
Portable gas stove for emergencies

Waste Management

Garbage Collection

Municipal collection:

Schedule: Usually 2-3 times per week
Cost: 30K-100K IDR/month
Areas covered: Most residential zones
Sorting: Limited recycling options
Pickup time: Early morning (6-8am)

Private waste services:

Cost: 100K-300K IDR/month
Benefits: More reliable, flexible timing
Recycling: Some offer sorting services
Organic waste: Composting options available

Family Waste Strategies

Reducing waste:

Reusable shopping bags
Minimize single-use plastics
Compost organic kitchen waste
Separate recyclables
Buy in bulk when possible

Teaching kids:

Proper sorting practices
Environmental awareness
Reduce, reuse, recycle principles
Local waste management importance
Ocean plastic impact

Organic waste solutions:

Home composting: Reduce 60% of waste
Vermicomposting: Worm bins
Community composting: Some areas offer
Garden use: For families with gardens

Backup & Emergency Systems

Power Backup Solutions

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS):

For: Computers, internet routers, essential electronics
Cost: 500K-2M IDR
Duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours
Essential for: Work from home, online schooling

Generators:

Portable generators: 5M-15M IDR
Capacity: 1000W-5000W options
Fuel: Gasoline or diesel
Use: Extended power outages
Considerations: Noise, ventilation, storage

Solar power:

Cost: 20M-100M IDR for home system
Benefits: Long-term savings, environmental
Components: Panels, batteries, inverter
Installation: Professional required
Permits: May require government approval

Water Backup

Storage solutions:

Toren air: 1000-5000L rooftop tanks
Underground tanks: Larger capacity
Emergency water: 50-100L for drinking
Filtration backup: Portable filters

Emergency planning:

Know location of nearest water sources
Keep emergency water supplies
Understand seasonal water patterns
Have backup purification methods

Internet Backup

Multiple connections:

Primary fiber internet
Mobile hotspot device
Smartphone tethering
Neighbor sharing agreement

Mobile data plans:

Unlimited plans for backup
Multiple carrier options
Portable WiFi devices
International roaming options

Entertainment & Media

Television & Streaming

Local TV options:

Free-to-air: Basic Indonesian channels
Cable TV: Indovision, First Media
Cost: 300K-800K IDR/month
International channels: CNN, BBC, Discovery

Streaming services:

Netflix: Available with Indonesian content
Disney+: Popular with families
YouTube Premium: Ad-free family viewing
Spotify: Music streaming
Local services: Vidio, GoPlay, WeTV

Family viewing setup:

High-speed internet essential
Smart TV or streaming devices
Parental controls important
Download content for offline viewing
VPN considerations for home country content

Gaming & Technology

Internet gaming:

Low latency internet crucial
Gaming packages available
Local server considerations
Family screen time management

Home automation:

Smart home devices growing
WiFi-controlled AC units
Security cameras
Smart lighting systems
Voice assistants (English/Indonesian)

Costs Summary & Budgeting

Monthly Utility Budget

Essential utilities (family of 4):

Internet: 600K-1.5M IDR
Electricity: 1M-3M IDR
Water: 100K-300K IDR
Mobile phones: 400K-1M IDR
Gas: 200K-400K IDR
Waste management: 50K-150K IDR
Total: 2.35M-6.35M IDR/month

Additional services:

Cable TV: 300K-800K IDR
Streaming: 200K-500K IDR
Water delivery: 200K-400K IDR
Generator fuel: 100K-300K IDR

Money-Saving Tips

Reduce electricity costs:

Use AC efficiently (26°C setting)
LED bulbs throughout home
Unplug devices when not used
Use natural ventilation when possible
Solar water heating

Internet savings:

Choose appropriate speed package
Share connection (where legal)
Negotiate installation fees
Bundle with mobile plans
Use free WiFi when available

Water economy:

Use refill stations vs bottled water
Install efficient fixtures
Rainwater collection for gardens
Fix leaks immediately
Shorter showers

Setup Priority Timeline

Week 1:

Internet connection (priority #1)
Mobile phone SIM cards
Electricity account setup
Water quality assessment

Week 2:

Gas connection
Waste management arrangement
Backup power evaluation
Entertainment setup

Month 1:

Full utility optimization
Backup systems installation
Emergency plans established
Family usage patterns assessed

Ongoing:

Monthly bill monitoring
Energy efficiency improvements
System maintenance
Emergency preparedness updates

Remember: Reliable utilities are essential for family comfort and children's education. Invest in quality internet and backup systems - they're worth the peace of mind!

Setting Up Utilities in Bali: Internet, Electricity & Water for Families (2025)