- SimTV provides a wide portfolio of Nepali and international channels over HFC technology, using set‑top boxes and fibre infrastructure.
- The company has faced operational and financial challenges, particularly around importing customer equipment and balancing costs in Nepal’s fast-changing digital ecosystem.
SimTV’s origins and services
Simple Media Network Pvt. Ltd. is a licensed multi‑system operator in Nepal, operating under the well‑known brand SimTV. According to business directories, the company is based in Lalitpur and provides digital television and broadband services via its hybrid fibre‑coaxial (HFC) network. SimTV launched in Nepal in 2015 as a “premium digital cable service provider,” debuting with a strategy to offer free set‑top boxes and fibre installation during its initial rollout. Its set‑top boxes support both standard‑definition and high‑definition channels, and the company aims to deliver both Nepali and international content to its subscribers.
Over time, SimTV has expanded its head‑end infrastructure, according to market reports, serving multiple regions of Nepal via HFC-based networks. During a natural disaster, SimTV also ran a customer‑friendly programme: it offered to replace damaged set‑top boxes for users affected by the 2015 earthquake, calling it “a way of shaking hands with our dear customers” according to Ram Sharma, SimTV’s brand manager.
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Industry challenges and innovation
As a digital TV operator in Nepal, Simple Media Network operates in a highly competitive media environment. Traditional cable providers, internet service providers, and Over‑The‑Top (OTT) platforms are all vying for audience attention. According to a recent credit‑rating report, costs are a particular concern: many of SimTV’s set‑top boxes and equipment are imported in foreign currency, exposing the company to foreign-exchange risk as it pays in rupees.
Another challenge for SimTV is balancing network investment with the evolving viewing habits of Nepali consumers, who are increasingly turning to internet-based streaming platforms. As the broader domestic market digitises, there is pressure to upgrade infrastructure and offer competitive broadband and pay-TV bundles.
On the innovation front, SimTV remains committed to its HFC architecture while working to deliver more content and value. Its initial zero‑installation offer for fibre and set‑top boxes helped it attract subscribers, and its broad channel portfolio continues to appeal to a wide audience. By combining TV services with broadband delivery, the company leverages its network to offer convergence, potentially positioning itself as a hybrid media and connectivity provider in Nepal’s future.
