Netflix is a USA-based company and they have been serving there since 1997. The company then slowly expanded to some countries in Europe and Japan. Due to reviews from USA and Europe, people all over the world were asking for Netflix service all over the world. Now finally, Netflix is in a total of 242 countries including Nepal. A new hashtag of #netflixeverywhere is trending in media these days because it was the most desired service and it has been expanded as per demand. As Netflix launched in Nepal, it brings the legal way for Nepali viewers to enjoy high-quality international web series, movies and content anytime they like.
For the introduction, if someone is unaware of what Netflix is or what it does, we can simply say that it is a streaming service provider. Netflix is actually an online video streaming platform that serves videos, shows, web series, and movies on demand. So these kinds of services are also called VOD (Video on demand). Some TV cable companies also provide such services but Netflix provides it via the internet. So the most important infrastructure is the Internet.
Consumers can enjoy these streaming services on their computers, mobile apps, tablets, or TV using set-top boxes, smart TV, DVD player, and gaming consoles with an internet connection. Netflix serves or provides the option to watch old TV series, new movies, and many exclusive contents with a monthly subscription. People like it because they can watch their favorites at any time they want and without ads. Netflix also has its own shows which got great reviews. This is why there is global demand.
Netflix Launched in Nepal: Coverage and Pricing
People wanted to enjoy ad-free services where they can watch video content from a large collection at the time they like. After a long wait, Netflix opened its gate in 2016. Now many people around the world are saying that they can enjoy good content on Netflix. Nepali people can also now create a Netflix account and watch great web shows. Watching content at any time is a great experience but there is also a good effect where these video streaming services can help reduce piracy.
The company is now virtually serving the entire the whole planet since yesterday. There are some exceptions for some countries like China, Crimea, North Korea, and Syria. Among all, India is their biggest target because of a large number of potential consumers. Therefore they have listed local prices in Indian Rupees and the package starts from INR 500.
We tested the service and the Netflix price in Nepal starts at $7.99 for the basic plan. There are other plans available as well. Standard costs $9.99 and Premium costs $11.99. These rates may change in the future. We hope to see the local prices in NPR soon.
How To Buy Netflix Account in Nepal?
In order to use Netflix in Nepal, users need to go to the website or app and signup using their email address. After providing an email address and setting up a password, users should select the monthly plan they need and like. There are basically three plans. So select the plan that fits your budget. Most people go with the “Standard” plan which costs $9.99/month.
After that users need to add payment options such as PayPal, Master Card, Visa, American Express, etc. Netflix provides 30 days of free trials for first-time users and they don’t even charge at first. Users are charged only after the end of the trial period. People can watch content from all genres and sections during this period.
The main challenge for Nepali users is payment. Netflix in Nepal shows only USD rates so the payment should be done in American dollars. Normal Nepali NPR domestic cards don’t work for international online payment. This means users need a verified PayPal account or international card. People can have a verified PayPal account in Nepal but it needs international credit or debit cards.
For that, Nepalese citizens need to have FCY (Foreign Currency) account or a Travelcard issued using visa and a confirmed air ticket. People with regular earnings in foreign currency like USD can only have such accounts at A-class banks in Nepal. However, you can always ask relatives, family, and friends abroad for their help. This is what most people in Nepal do.
Internet Speed Requirements for Netflix Streaming
A lot of people are now excited around the globe to use Netflix. We are seeing many excited people on social media sites now. People with fast internet connections can directly enjoy but Nepalese people certainly need to consider their broadband speed. The Netflix website FAQ says that the service requires a minimum of 512 kbps internet connection. This is not a big deal for many developed countries but countries like Nepal and India face some challenges here.
Local and government companies like Nepal Telecom provide only provide 192 Kbps internet as a basic plan which costs $10/ month and the 512 Kbps costs $30/month. This is very expensive but there are Nepalese private ISPs that give higher speed for cheaper prices. Worldlink, Vianet, Subisu, etc provide faster internet at cheaper prices. For more information, we have a full comparison of all companies in an article regarding the best ISPs in Nepal.
512 Kbps is the minimum for SD video streaming according to Netflix. Higher quality streaming needs higher bandwidth. In general, 2 Mbps is a good spot for 1080p playback. There is also a UHD option in the Premium plan that require even higher speeds. Users can use the service on their smartphones, tablet, and computers. Smartphones take less data while TV can take a lot of data for streaming. These days new smart TV also support Netflix. Roku has an inbuilt app and even a dedicated button on their remote for Netflix.
Current Status and Opinion
Netflix launched in Nepal just now and many users are already testing the service. People with good internet, TV, and budget are ready to pay for the service. So they can see good growth in Asia. Now the company should focus on adding more local content to their service to attract users.
This streaming service is helping people to enjoy content on their own time and is also providing money to the industry to create more content. Moreover, this type of service can help reduce piracy in huge magnitude if they reduce the price and make it available at the local service providers’ rate. People would absolutely love to see great-quality movies, and shows at home for cheap. Instead of paying for pirated DVDs, people would pay for original content which goes to the creator.
A lot of people used to use VPNs, proxies, and other tools to unblock Netflix in their countries. Now, this may come to a stop. There is a small chance of VPN use because some shows are geo-restricted. As for the price, many people still prefer to share accounts. The company knows this actually. In Asian countries where the price of cable is $2 to $4 a month, people will have a hard time shifting to the service. Things take time and we will see changes in the future.
If the company adds more local content and makes the service affordable and faster, the viewership will surely shift from cable to online. OTT service like Netflix also definitely creates huge challenges for cable, and satellite dish companies. There are a lot of benefits and challenges in the campaign but we are excited and so let’s how it goes.
