Your Guide to Digital TV Options
Most of us feast on high quality media these days. Streaming Youtube in HD, or watching movie prints in DVD and Blu Ray has been the standard since long. There is an allure to watching our latest shows and movies in high definition. The sports industry is catching up too. With dedicated sports channels broadcasting in HD, digital TV has been a highly sought after installation in every household. What was once a luxurious service, DTH (Direct to Home) services have spread wide across the cities with the conversion of old analog to modern LCD and LED televisions that excel in true HD resolution. What was until recently a desirable option much superior to cable TV will soon turn into the default standard, with the new government rule banning all analog TV signals. If you are shrouded in confusion, we are here to help you choose the right digital TV service for you home.
Dish home
One of the first companies to introduce satellite TV to Nepal, Dish Home has always stayed on top of its game by offering an array of quality services. Today, there is hardly anyone who doesn’t know about Dish Home or hasn’t seen their iconic antennas. Offering state of the art services with lucrative packages comprising HD and SD channels, their services are perfect for inaccessible parts of the city where finding a tether is difficult. Its satellite communication gives a significant edge over its competitors when it comes to geographic coverage but the same technology can falter in the face of natural obstructions like weather, line of sight issues, physical obstruction by another building, or geographical terrain. With services dedicated for television and features to address multiple televisions, Dish Home is one of the strongest standalone television options currently available.
Deals: Starting with basic HD package of Rs 417 per month, every additional package such as Sports, Family will cost you around Rs. 500 each. Currently, they have 35 HD and 120 SD channels to offer.
Equipment and Installation: The equipment cost is Rs 2,999 with installation charge as extra.
Sim TV
For most orthodox cable TV users who do not require fiber services like NetTV, do not need dedicated internet connections, and would like to keep things cable and still go digital, Simple Media Network could be an easy and cost effective solution. Existing Space Time Cable users along with few other cable partners can upgrade without any new cable hassles by adding a set top box. They are also planning to roll out their own internet services. Also, its up to 3 set top boxes policy is fairly sufficient for most households and addresses most of the household demands in terms of channel selection.
Deals: Premier package star at Rs.350, their ultra package costs Rs.500, and the Pro package costs up to Rs. 900 per month. All this for a single set top box, adding other set top boxes cost extra. While the Premier package doesn’t sport any HD channels, the Ultra package offers a few of HDs, but the Pro Package offers the maximum number. You can handpick HD channels or chose channel packs by paying extra for everything else. The set top box is free with a starting charge of Rs 500 for registration.
Broadlink
Expanding the nature of the its services, Broadlink, known for its wireless internet services in the past has recently added digital television under its repertoire. Now offering, BoradWifi, BroadFiber, BroadTel and BroadTV, the renowned multi system provider offers over 100 channels with 40+ HD channels viewing options.
Deals: Extending the highest Quality of Service, with state of the art features like Video on Demand, viewing past episodes even ones that haven’t been recorded, checking the following day’s schedule broadlink boasts one of the most advanced systems available in the market right now. With the guarantee of zero provider or network ads, based on quality, it is one of the most unintrusive network. Also, FTTH offers better clarity in addition to fiber internet option from the same line.
MeroTV
A relatively new player in the game, coming into the frame from 2017 onwards, MeroTV is also a combo offer of Internet Service and Digital TV. Promising high speed internet coupled with television channel packs that are available for both HD and SD options, MeroTV operated by Divine Stream Network Pvt. Ltd might be a new name for many but with its ties linked to popular cale networks like the Kathmandu Cable Network, Jawalakhel Cable Network and even baidam Cable Network in Pokhara, we could expect an emerging success in the mix. Due to its premature nature of service, little can be said with certainty about the quality and scalability but what we can say with certainty is its value for price.
Deals: SD packages start as low as Rs 350 per television with a Sano HD package for 550 and thei Pura HD package available for only 700 per month. In addition, In addition, subs of 6 months assure a month’s service free and an annual service gives you 3 additional months of free service.
Net TV
This service comes from the developers of the smartphone app that lets you enjoy your latest shows on your phone anywhere you are through a WiFi connection, mobile data or exclusive Ncell TV packs. You can now be looking at NetTV to power your home televisions with the same digital TV provider. With 30+ HD and 80+ SD channels to choose from, this particular provider is extremely lucrative for internet centric users running Worldlink or Vianet in their homes. In collaboration with these ISPs, a TV plus Internet solution in offered with extra tariff for their digital TV solution.
Deals: Starting at Rs 450 a month, for two month’s price you get a month free and for 9 months’ price you get 3 months free. Set top charges range from Rs 2,000, Rs.1500 and Rs. 1,000 for the aforementioned periods respectively.
Clear TV
Clear TV is another viable digital TV option that has been operating in collaboration with popular ISP Subisu. Offering standalone digital TV solutions as well as combo services for internet and TV, they have quite a few packages to offer. Bearing in mind the recent events that have led to the mandatory switching of TV provider in the valley for most analog users, they have also come up with a Loyalty Offer. Existing clients can upgrade to a complete 5/2 Mbps (Night/ day) internet along with clear TV for just Rs.1,499.
Deals: Basic package is Rs 500, premium is Rs.700 and additional movies and sports package cost Rs. 175 – Rs.200 extra. Super Combo offer is Rs. 8,999 for three months, TV plus internet, and all equipment and installation charges covered. The cost of a two-month TV package with installation and equipment is Rs. 2,999.
Vianet
Vianet: 3 months services at Rs 2000 and a year’s services at Rs 5,050. No additional charges on set top box. All other costs are included.
Note: As of Baisakh 15, 2074 (April 28, 2017), the government has authorized TV service provide to block all analog TV signals in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Birgunj etc. Hence, it’s advised that you switch to a digital service on time for continued
television services.
