Telkom has Netflix plans: source

Telkom is in discussions with Netflix to offer the video streaming service in South Africa, a source with knowledge of the talks has told MyBroadband.

It’s no secret that Telkom has been planning a content play, with rumours of its intentions starting around the same time that information on its MSAN/VDSL project emerged.

The company later confirmed its plans to roll-out very-high-bitrate digital subscriber line (VDSL) services by deploying multi-service access nodes (MSANs), along with “media-rich content”.

Steven White

In September last year (2012), Telkom’s Steven White said that they had been actively engaging possible content partners for a streaming video service.

At the time, White indicated that there is a possibility that Telkom’s content service will be exclusive to Telkom Internet DSL subscribers.

“It is natural to think that an ISP that goes to this extreme to deliver a service would want some sort of exclusivity,” White said.

The model was not yet confirmed, however, and White said that it is also possible that Telkom’s wholesale division might offer the service to all Internet service providers, including Telkom Internet.

When asked last year whether Telkom’s video on-demand plans were a 2012 or 2013 project, White said that he can only say “it won’t be a 2014 project”.

Telkom Do Movies

Since the discussion with White in 2012, Telkom Internet has unveiled its Do Movies promotion which offers subscribers unmetered access to DStv CatchUp online, DStv BoxOffice online, Apple iTunes, and Samsung Video Hub.

Asked for an update on its video on-demand and online content plans, and whether Netflix would be added to its Do Movies promotion, Telkom provided the following statement:

“Telkom continuously seeks to improve the broadband experience of its customers and any new developments will be announced when it is appropriate to do so.”

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