What by.U does

by.U is a fully digital prepaid mobile telecommunications brand operated by PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel), Indonesia's largest Tier-1 telecom operator, and was launched in 2019 as Indonesia's first all-digital mobile provider. The brand targets tech-savvy Indonesian consumers aged roughly 17–35, allowing them to purchase SIM cards, activate numbers, buy data packages, and manage their accounts entirely through a mobile application without physical store activation. The underlying platform was modernized in February 2026 through a partnership with Circles, consolidating multiple legacy BSS, orchestration, and digital experience systems into a unified cloud-native vertical SaaS platform with AI-ready architecture, while maintaining service continuity for millions of active users nationwide.

The product portfolio is structured around tiered prepaid data packages — Super Kaget (short-validity, 7–30 days, Rp 15,000–35,000), Kaget (monthly, up to 125 GB at Rp 200,000) — supplemented by specialized add-on packages such as Roam Like Local (international roaming in Singapore, Thailand, Philippines), Main BarenGGGGG (gaming-optimized 12 GB + 12 GB bonus), Bola Gembira MAXStream TV (FIFA World Cup 2026 streaming bundles), and K-POPERS (K-pop content). Distribution spans online marketplaces (Tokopedia, Shopee, TikTok Shop), app stores (Google Play, App Store, Huawei AppGallery), and physical retail (Indomaret), with payment options including major Indonesian banks, e-wallets (Dana, GoPay, ShopeePay), and QRIS.

Revenue is generated primarily through usage-based prepaid data package sales, one-time SIM card sales, recurring entertainment bundles via MAXStream TV, and international roaming packages. The company employs a freemium strategy through in-app entertainment (Mixtape music, U-Tainment mini-games, comics) to drive engagement without consuming data, alongside a uCoin loyalty program. Customer support is handled through self-service (Tanya Nindy virtual assistant), social media, and a 155 call center. The business operates exclusively within Indonesia and is part of the Telkomsel corporate structure, with no separate disclosure of brand-level financials.

Name

by.U

Legal name

PT Telekomunikasi Selular

Website

https://byu.id

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

by.U is a fully digital prepaid mobile brand of Indonesian Tier-1 telco Telkomsel, offering app-based SIM activation, tiered data packages, and bundled entertainment (streaming, gaming, music) to millions of Indonesian mobile-first consumers via a cloud-native SaaS platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile Roaming & Interconnect Services (roaming hubs, IREG/TADIG, clearing) (HDAIAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Billing, Payments & Subscription Management (MPAHAJAC)

Keywords

• Prepaid mobile services
• Digital SIM activation
• Mobile data packages
• Telecom data plans
• Mobile entertainment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Jawa

HQ country

Indonesia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Prepaid SIM Card Sales: One-time revenue from selling physical and digital SIM cards through various distribution channels including Indomaret, online marketplaces, and app-based activation
2. Data Package Sales: Core recurring revenue stream from prepaid data packages (Super Kaget, Kaget, Big Match, Roam Like Local) with varying validity periods from 7 to 60 days. Usage-based model where customers purchase quota allocations as needed. Multiple price points from Rp 12,000 to Rp 200,000 targeting different usage intensities.
3. Entertainment Bundles: Revenue from bundled entertainment packages including Bola Gembira MAXStream TV access combined with data quotas for FIFA World Cup 2026 viewing. Premium pricing for integrated content and streaming access.
4. International Roaming Services: Roam Like Local packages providing data roaming in countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines at local-quality pricing, with validity starting upon destination arrival
5. In-App Entertainment Content: Free entertainment content including Mixtape music streaming, mini-games, comics, and articles available within the app at no additional data cost, driving engagement and customer retention

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

by.U is a fully digital prepaid mobile telecommunications service brand of PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel) that enables Indonesian consumers to purchase SIM cards, activate numbers, and purchase data packages entirely through a mobile app without visiting physical stores. The service runs on Telkomsel's 4G LTE network and offers customizable prepaid data plans (Super Kaget, Kaget, Big Match, Roam Like Local), bundled entertainment (Mixtape music, U-Tainment mini-games, MAXStream TV, PildUn Corner for FIFA World Cup 2026), and a uCoin loyalty rewards system. Differentiating features include 24-hour full quota (Kuota Utuh) with no time or app restrictions, lifetime active numbers (Nomor Aktif Selamanya), and access to Indonesia's widest 4G LTE network.

Product overview

by.U is a fully digital prepaid mobile service brand owned by PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel), Indonesia's largest telecommunications operator. The offering is structured as a digital-first ecosystem centered on 4G LTE network infrastructure provided by Telkomsel. The core product is the by.U Digital Prepaid Mobile Service, managed entirely through the by.U mobile application — the primary interface for SIM activation, data package purchases, balance top-ups, and account management, enabling a fully self-service experience without physical store visits. The product portfolio is organized around tiered data packages (Super Kaget for short-term needs, Kaget for monthly plans), specialized add-on packages (Roam Like Local for international roaming, Main BarenGGGGG for gaming, Bola Gembira MAXStream TV for sports streaming, K-POPERS for K-Pop fans), and entertainment features embedded in the app (Mixtape music, U-Tainment mini-games, uCoin rewards). The platform is distributed via the by.U app (available on Google Play Store, Apple App Store, Huawei AppGallery), online marketplaces (Tokopedia, Shopee, TikTok Shop), and physical retail (Indomaret convenience stores, standby.U booths). The service recently underwent a major technology modernization in partnership with Circles, migrating from legacy BSS systems to a cloud-native SaaS platform with AI-ready architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• by.U Digital Prepaid Mobile Service Fully digital prepaid mobile telecommunications service on Telkomsel's 4G LTE network for Indonesian consumers. Customers purchase SIM cards and manage all services — activation, data top-ups, plan changes, and entertainment features — through the by.U mobile application without visiting physical stores.
• by.U Mobile Application Primary self-service interface for by.U subscribers; enables SIM activation, data package purchases, balance top-ups, promo discovery, uCoin rewards, and access to Mixtape music, mini-games, articles, and comics.
• Super Kaget Data Package Short-validity prepaid data package (3–12 GB over 7–30 days, Rp 15,000–Rp 35,000) with Kuota Utuh 24-hour full quota. Targets cost-conscious users needing affordable short-term data.
• Kaget Data Package Monthly prepaid data package with tiered allowances from 7 GB to 125 GB over 30 days (Rp 38,000–Rp 200,000). Targets regular users seeking larger monthly data allocations with full 24-hour Kuota Utuh.
• Roam Like Local International roaming data package allowing by.U subscribers to use their line in foreign countries at local-provider pricing without changing SIM cards. Validity activates on arrival and automatically stops when quota runs out.
• Bola Gembira MAXStream TV Package Specialized data + streaming bundle combining internet quota with free FIFA World Cup 2026 viewing via the MAXStream TV application. Variants include 300 MB / 7-day at Rp 25,000 and 5.5 GB / 60-day at Rp 85,000.
• Starter Pack (Bola Gembira Starter Pack) One-time SIM card bundle for new by.U subscribers including a physical SIM, 3 GB / 30-day initial data, lifetime active number, free shipping, and 7-day MAXStream TV bonus access at Rp 35,000.
• Big Match Package Affordable sports-streaming data package (Rp 12,000) including 12 GB All Net quota plus 12 GB MAXStream quota, designed for match viewing including World Cup fixtures.
• Main BarenGGGGG Game Package (Paket Main BarenGGGGG) Gaming data package (Rp 12,000) bundling 12 GB main quota with 12 GB bonus gaming quota valid for one day on supported titles including Mobile Legends, Free Fire, AoV, and PUBG.
• K-POPERS Package Specialized data package for K-pop content consumers, eligible for participation in the KOREA KAJA! promotional campaign including Random Play Dance events and raffle entries for trips to South Korea.
• MAXStream TV Streaming Access Video streaming service accessed via the MAXStream TV application, bundled with by.U's Bola Gembira and Starter Pack packages and available as a standalone entertainment option for World Cup and general video content.
• by.U Vertical SaaS Platform (Telkomsel Cloud-Native BSS) Cloud-native, AI-ready vertical SaaS platform developed with Circles that consolidated Telkomsel's legacy BSS, orchestration, and digital experience systems into a unified stack supporting continuous service for millions of by.U users.

Quantifiable outcome

• Millions of active users served on cloud-native platform
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• CirclescoreTechnology or Integration · 27 February 2026Strategic partnership with Circles, a global telco technology company, to develop and deploy a next-generation vertical SaaS platform. This represents one of the most complex Tier-1 brownfield transformation programs in telecommunications, consolidating multiple legacy BSS, orchestration, and digital experience systems into a unified cloud-native AI-ready platform while maintaining service continuity for millions of active users. The platform delivers measurable improvements in performance, business agility, enterprise scalability, and technical modernization, establishing a scalable blueprint for other Tier-1 telcos globally.
• MAXStream TVcoreTechnology or IntegrationEntertainment content partnership providing exclusive access to FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcasts through MAXStream TV application. Integrated Bola Gembira packages combine data quotas with streaming access. Starter pack customers receive 7-day MAXStream TV bonus access upon activation.
• TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationOfficial broadcaster partnership for FIFA World Cup 2026, with TVRI and MAXStream TV jointly broadcasting the tournament. by.U serves as official telecommunications partner offering exclusive viewing packages.
• IndomaretcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndonesia's largest convenience store chain providing physical SIM card pickup and purchase locations. Customers can obtain SIM cards at Indomaret stores and complete digital activation through the by.U app, bridging online and offline distribution.
• TokopediacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading Indonesian e-commerce marketplace partnership for online SIM card sales with promotional offers including free shipping campaigns.
• ShopeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional e-commerce platform partnership for SIM card distribution with integrated promotional campaigns.
• TikTok ShopcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShort-form video e-commerce partnership for SIM card sales with integrated promotional content and shop features.
• Huawei (AppGallery)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlternative app distribution channel through Huawei's AppGallery for users of Huawei devices in Indonesia.
• Payment Partners (BCA, Mandiri, BRI, Dana, Gopay, Shopee Pay)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple payment method integrations enabling diverse payment options including bank transfers (BCA, Mandiri, BRI), e-wallets (Dana, Gopay, Shopee Pay), QRIS, and virtual accounts. Supports promotional campaigns with cashback and discount offers through various payment methods.
• Regional Roaming PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational roaming partnerships enabling Roam Like Local service in Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, and other countries with local-quality pricing and auto-block functionality.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Giffgaff: UK-based digital-first MVNO operating as a community-driven prepaid mobile brand on O2's network. Directly comparable to by.U's digital-only prepaid model, member-driven engagement, and asset-light positioning within a parent operator.
• Visible (by Verizon): US digital-first mobile carrier operating as an app-driven brand of Verizon. Closely comparable to by.U in being a fully app-based, self-service mobile brand built on a parent's underlying network infrastructure.
• Smartfren Telecom: Indonesian mobile operator with strong prepaid and 4G focus, including digital-only brand offerings. Directly competes with by.U in Indonesian prepaid mobile data and youth segments, operating on its own network infrastructure.
• XL Axiata: One of Indonesia's largest mobile operators with deep prepaid (XL Prabayar) and youth segment focus. Competes head-to-head with by.U in tiered data packages, digital activation, and entertainment bundling.
• Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison: Major Indonesian mobile operator formed from the Indosat Ooredoo and Hutchison 3 Indonesia merger. Direct competitor in prepaid data, digital experiences, and entertainment bundling (including IM3 Ooredoo and Tri brands targeting similar segments).
• Reliance Jio: India's first all-digital, app-driven telco that disrupted India's incumbent market through low pricing and digital self-service. Closest international comparable to by.U's digital-first prepaid model and cloud-native BSS approach.
• Kakao Mobile: Korea-based digital-first mobile brand combining data plans with KakaoTalk's content and lifestyle ecosystem. Comparable to by.U in the convergence of mobile connectivity with embedded entertainment and loyalty rewards.

Emerging players

• Circles: Global telco technology company that co-developed by.U's cloud-native vertical SaaS BSS platform. Comparable as an emerging telco-tech player enabling digital-first telco transformations for other Tier-1 operators.

Regional players

• MyRepublic Indonesia: Indonesia-focused digital broadband and mobile brand targeting younger, urban, internet-heavy users. Comparable to by.U as an Indonesia-specific digital-first connectivity brand competing for similar tech-savvy consumer segments.
• Tigo (Millicom): Millicom's Tigo-branded mobile operations across Latin America with a prepaid, youth-focused, and increasingly digital-first model. Comparable as a regional emerging-market telco targeting similar price-sensitive mobile-first consumers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/byu.id
• Xx.com/byu_id
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/by-u

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about by.U