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DishHome
DishHome
from Wikipedia

DishHome is a DTH and internet service provider in Nepal. Operated by Dish Media Network Ltd, it was formed in 2010 after a merger between two DTH providers, namely Home TV and Dish Nepal.[2] In the year of 2011 Sandmartin International Holding (SMT) became one of the key shareholders of Dish Media Network Pvt. Ltd., and provided expertise in developing new technologies and digital innovations in the satellite broadcasting.

Key Information

By 2016, DishHome had crossed the 750,000 subscriber mark.[3][4] Dish Home has achieved a customer base of over a million by 2019.[5] As of April 2019, DishHome has a total of 200+ television channels, including 150+ SD channels and 50+ HD channels.[6] In 2021, Dishhome started its own fiber internet under name DishHome Internet which has currently emerged as a major ISP in Nepal with more than 2 lakh subscribers.[7][8]

DTH Technology

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DishHome uses MPEG-4 with DVB S2 digital compression technology, transmitting HD Channels and SD Channels in Ku-Band on Amos-4 at 65.0°E.[9] DishHome relies on CAS from Verimatrix and Latens. Their STBs are provisioned by SandMartin and Arion.[10]

References

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from Grokipedia
Dish Media Network Limited, operating as DishHome, is Nepal's first and leading direct-to-home (DTH) service provider, established in 2009 to deliver digital high-definition (HD) TV and related digital services nationwide. As a pioneer in the sector, the company initially focused on DTH television with over 200 channels, including more than 50 in HD, serving over 2 million households across its various platforms as of 2024. Expanding beyond traditional , DishHome has diversified into high-speed fibernet services, IPTV, over-the-top (OTT) platforms, and operations since obtaining regulatory approval for distribution in 2020, positioning it as one of Nepal's fastest-growing firms with affordable packages tailored to diverse consumer needs.

History

Founding and Early Development

Predecessor entities leading to Dish Media Network Private Limited (DMN), the operating company behind DishHome, were established around as Nepal's first direct-to-home (DTH) television service provider. This founding marked the introduction of -based broadcasting in a country where traditional cable infrastructure was limited, particularly in remote and mountainous regions. DMN's inception addressed the need for reliable television access across Nepal's challenging geography, leveraging technology to bypass the difficulties of terrestrial cabling in diverse terrains. Initial operations commenced shortly after establishment, with the launch of satellite TV services utilizing Ku-band transmission to deliver a range of standard-definition and high-definition channels directly to subscribers' homes. The service focused on providing content to both urban centers and rural areas underserved by cable networks, enabling widespread access to entertainment, news, and educational programming. By employing MPEG-4 and digital compression technologies, DMN pioneered efficient signal delivery that allowed for affordable subscription packages, making viable for a broader population. Early development faced challenges inherent to 's topography, including signal coverage over high altitudes and scattered populations, which satellite broadcasting effectively mitigated through its broad footprint. Regulatory approval from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) supported this rollout, positioning DMN as the pioneering DTH operator in the market. Initial subscriber adoption was rapid, reflecting demand for alternative viewing options and contributing to the service's quick establishment as a key player in Nepal's media landscape by the end of the decade.

Merger and Growth Milestones

In 2010, Satellite Channel Pvt. Ltd. (operating as Home TV) and Dish Media Network Pvt. Ltd. (operating as Dish Nepal), two early direct-to-home (DTH) providers in , merged to form Dish Media Network Limited (DMN), the operating entity behind DishHome. This consolidation combined their technological and operational resources, enabling a more efficient nationwide rollout of DTH services and positioning the company as Nepal's leading provider. The merger marked a pivotal step in stabilizing and expanding the nascent DTH market amid growing demand for . Following the merger, DMN raised capital through institutional investments to bolster , including capacity and distribution networks, which supported rapid service expansion across urban and rural areas. By the early , the company had significantly grown its offerings, achieving widespread and establishing a robust dealer network connecting over two million households. This post-merger phase laid the groundwork for sustained growth, culminating in further mergers such as the 2021 integration of Prabhu TV, which unified additional DTH and services under the DishHome brand to enhance operational efficiency and customer reach. Key milestones in the ensuing years included the introduction of advanced features and diversification into . In , amid surging demand for reliable connectivity during the , DishHome launched its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet service under the brand DishHome Fibernet, initially in and expanding thereafter to meet and digital needs. This move diversified revenue streams beyond and addressed infrastructure gaps in Nepal's sector. In 2024, DMN issued right shares at a 1:8 to raise funds for further expansion, including network enhancements and service upgrades. As of November 2025, DMN continues to pursue strategic developments, including preparations for an (IPO) of 13,584,955 shares to the general public, pending approval from the Securities Board of (SEBON), to fuel long-term growth initiatives. Complementing this, the company has partnered with to upgrade its all-optical FTTH network, enabling higher-speed internet delivery and supporting 's digital transformation goals. These efforts underscore DishHome's evolution from a DTH-focused provider to a comprehensive player.

Ownership and Organization

Corporate Structure and Ownership

Dish Media Network Limited (DMN), the operating entity behind , is a registered in and headquartered in with 1,001-5,000 employees. The company's ownership stems from the 2010 merger of Dish Nepal and TV, which consolidated promoters from those original entities, with Sandmartin International Holdings Limited emerging as the major holding approximately 27% of shares as of mid-2024. Other key stakeholders include groups such as and IME, contributing to a structure focused on private holdings without public shares to date. In 2024, DMN issued right shares in a 1:8 to existing shareholders to bolster capital ahead of public listing. DMN generates revenue primarily through subscription services for its direct-to-home television and offerings. The company is preparing for an (IPO) in 2025 as of November 2025, planning to issue 13,584,955 shares at a of 100 each, raising approximately 1.36 billion for listing on the (NEPSE). Governance at DMN adheres to regulations from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) and the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), with its board comprising industry experts steering digital expansion initiatives.

Leadership and Operations

Dish Media Network Limited, operating as DishHome, is led by Chief Executive Officer Tara Manandhar, who assumed the role in April 2024 after over two decades of experience in banking and leadership positions, including at Mashreq Bank. Sudeep Acharya, who served as CEO from 2015 and emphasized transparency in operations and growth strategies, now holds the position of Director, continuing to influence the company's direction. Key executives include Chief Information Officer Manoj KC, responsible for technology oversight and digital transformation initiatives, and Chief Financial Officer Mahendra KC, who manages financial strategy, including preparations for the company's initial public offering (IPO). The CFO's role has been pivotal in advancing IPO plans, with the company seeking regulatory approval for issuing shares worth approximately NPR 1.35 billion as of 2023, supporting expanded operations. DishHome's operational model relies primarily on subscription-based revenue from its direct-to-home (DTH) television and services, which accounted for the majority of income amid a stable subscriber base. is provided through a toll-free (1660-01-22000), dedicated help desks, and a network exceeding 5,000 dealers across for installations and service inquiries. The for essential equipment includes set-top boxes (STBs) sourced from SandMartin International and Wi-Fi routers from , ensuring reliable hardware for service delivery. The company's business strategy centers on bundled offerings combining DTH television and fiber , allowing customers a single payment for integrated entertainment and connectivity to simplify billing and enhance value. efforts are channeled through its extensive dealer network to reach diverse regions, while is prioritized via high-definition (HD) content quality and fair usage policy (FUP)-free unlimited plans, contributing to low churn rates in the DTH segment. DishHome employs 1,001-5,000 staff members, including certified engineers trained for installations and in remote areas, with ongoing programs to build expertise in fiber optic and technologies. These professionals support the rollout of services to more than 300,000 retail customers, focusing on reliable network expansion.

Services

Direct-to-Home Television

DishHome's Direct-to-Home (DTH) television service delivers satellite-based broadcasting to households across , offering over 200 channels in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) formats. The service encompasses a diverse selection of Nepali, Indian, and international content, including , , , and movies, transmitted via Ku-band signals on the Amos-4 satellite using HEVC and MPEG-4 compression technology for clear, uncompressed HD viewing. Customers receive signals through set-top boxes (STBs) provided by SandMartin International, integrated with systems from Verimatrix and Conax to ensure secure decoding and content protection. The service features tiered packages tailored to varying viewer preferences and budgets. The Basic Plus package includes 39 HD and 58 SD channels for approximately 420 per month (based on a 6-month subscription of 2,522), while the Super HD package provides premium access to enhanced HD content at 500 per month. Higher-tier options like Lifestyle HD offer 49 HD and 61 SD channels, supporting up to four televisions per connection. All packages require a base selection of Nepali channels, with add-ons available for specialized genres such as sports and movies; installation fees range from 442 to 500, and STBs cost around 2,654. Add-on a la carte channels, including non-Nepali options like Sony TV and , can be subscribed individually atop the base package. Key features enhance , including interactive capabilities and unlimited personal video recording (PVR) through DVR-enabled STBs, allowing viewers to record and playback programs without storage limits. The service supports true HD transmission without compression artifacts, and advanced options like the 4K Streamer provide ultra-high-definition viewing with integration, built-in, Audio, and gaming support. Connections can accommodate up to three or more televisions per subscription, depending on the package. For added convenience, DTH can be bundled with broadband internet services in combo plans. Subscribers benefit from perks such as access to news and local Nepali channels in the base package, along with promotional offers for new installations, including discounted setup fees or bundled incentives.

Broadband Internet

DishHome introduced its internet service, branded as DishHome Fibernet, in 2020 as a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) offering to provide high-speed connectivity across . The service emphasizes unlimited data usage without fair usage policy (FUP) restrictions, enabling seamless streaming, gaming, and . It operates on symmetric upload and download speeds, with low latency suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications. The service features tiered plans tailored for residential users, with options up to 300 Mbps for standard subscriptions. Key packages include a 100 Mbps plan priced at NPR 13,540 for 24 months, a 200 Mbps plan at NPR 18,319 for 24 months, and a 300 Mbps plan at NPR 21,584 for 24 months; higher-tier options like 1 Gbps are available on shorter terms. Each plan includes a dual-band router at no rental fee, along with free installation for qualifying subscriptions. Customers can manage services via the myDishHome app, which handles billing, speed tests, and account adjustments. Integration with DishHome's direct-to-home (DTH) television service offers combo discounts, such as NPR 2,000 savings on bundled packages, enhancing value for households seeking unified entertainment and connectivity. The service has grown to serve over 350,000 customers, supported by 99% uptime for reliable performance.
Plan SpeedPrice (24 Months, NPR)Key Inclusions
100 Mbps13,540Wi-Fi 6 router (no rental), unlimited data, symmetric speeds
200 Mbps18,319 router (no rental), unlimited data, symmetric speeds
300 Mbps21,584 router (no rental), unlimited data, symmetric speeds

Additional Offerings

DishHome expanded into IPTV via DishHome iTV, launched in 2022 following the 2021 acquisition and merger of Prabhu TV and Prabhu Net, providing streaming access to more than 200 channels over IP networks. This app-based service supports smart TVs and mobile devices, enabling on-the-go viewing and integration with internet subscriptions for seamless access to live and recorded content. For over-the-top (OTT) services, DishHome operates the DishHome GO app, which offers on-demand video content, live TV streaming, and exclusive channels, available on mobile, smart TVs, and streaming devices with compatibility for both Android and platforms. In November 2025, DishHome GO secured exclusive worldwide OTT streaming rights for the Premier League (excluding ). Complementing this, DishHome manages data center operations through its enterprise division and subsidiary Datalaya, providing secure , hosting, and reliable data services to businesses across Nepal, with facilities established in partnership with technology providers like and . Additionally, the company supports terrestrial digital broadcasting via technology under Prabhu TV, distributing digital signals to viewers without requiring dishes. These additional offerings are often bundled with DTH and services for discounted combined packages, enhancing , and include tailored solutions such as customized channel lineups and partnerships with chains like Siddhartha Hospitality for premium guest entertainment in niche markets. Some channels in these services overlap with DTH offerings to ensure content consistency across platforms.

Technology

Satellite Broadcasting

DishHome employs a Ku-band satellite transmission system utilizing the Amos-4 satellite positioned at 65° East for direct-to-home (DTH) television distribution across . This architecture leverages the satellite's high-power Ku-band transponders to broadcast signals nationwide, enabling reliable reception with standard parabolic antennas. The system adheres to the standard, which optimizes spectral efficiency through advanced modulation and coding schemes, allowing for higher data throughput compared to earlier DVB-S protocols. Signal compression in DishHome's satellite broadcasting relies on for high-definition content and MPEG-4 for standard-definition channels, facilitating efficient of multiple streams. This combination supports the delivery of over 200 channels without significant quality degradation, as the codecs reduce bandwidth requirements while preserving video fidelity for both HD and SD formats. The DVB-S2 framework further enhances compression by incorporating adaptive coding and modulation, ensuring robust performance even under varying signal conditions. Subscriber equipment consists of set-top boxes (STBs) provisioned by SandMartin International, integrated with systems (CAS) from Verimatrix and Conax to manage and content protection. These STBs decrypt encrypted streams using smart cards or embedded modules, preventing unauthorized access while supporting features like channel zapping and electronic program guides. Uplink operations occur from earth stations in the , including facilities at Bhaisepati in Lalitpur and additional teleports in Dukuchhap and Charikot, where content is aggregated, encoded, and transmitted to the satellite. In Nepal's diverse , this satellite-based approach provides near-100% national coverage, surmounting mountainous and remote terrains that hinder terrestrial deployment. The low power consumption of receiving equipment—typically requiring only a small dish and —facilitates straightforward installations in rural households with limited access, promoting equitable reach.

Fiber Optic Infrastructure

DishHome's fiber optic infrastructure is centered on a premium all-optical fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network, developed in partnership with to deliver high-speed broadband services across . The network employs 's advanced optical access solutions, including (Gigabit ) technology, which enables efficient bandwidth sharing and scalable connectivity from central offices to end-users. This design supports passive optical distribution, minimizing active components for reliability and cost-effectiveness in diverse terrains. The system utilizes Huawei's optical network terminals (ONTs) to provide download speeds of up to 300 Mbps for residential and enterprise users, with dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) capabilities for enhanced device connectivity and reduced interference. These ONTs integrate seamlessly with the architecture, supporting protocols that allow split ratios suitable for high-density urban deployments while maintaining over distances typical for Nepalese infrastructure. This setup ensures low operational costs and energy efficiency, aligning with the demands of modern applications like streaming and . Deployment of the FTTH network began in 2020, initially targeting major urban centers such as and , with significant expansion completed by 2021 to reach remote rural areas. By 2024, the infrastructure serves over 300,000 retail customers and 500 enterprise clients, covering key population hubs and progressively extending to underserved regions to bridge Nepal's . Recent enhancements, including the introduction of 1 Gbps plans via upgraded routers and mesh extenders, support these broadband internet offerings for high-demand households.

Market Presence

Subscriber Base and Coverage

DishHome's direct-to-home (DTH) subscriber base stood at 450,000 as of the end of 2024 (FY24), marking a year-over-year decline of approximately 26% amid shifting consumer preferences toward streaming and alternatives. In parallel, the company's fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services have experienced strong expansion, with subscriber numbers reaching 343,825 by mid-2025 and reflecting an annual growth rate of around 19% in FY24. This growth in the internet segment has contributed to DishHome's overall of approximately 11% in Nepal's fixed sector as of mid-2024. The DTH service achieves complete nationwide coverage, reaching all regions of via satellite transmission, which enables reliable access even in remote and mountainous areas. FTTH coverage extends to all seven provinces and more than 50 districts, primarily in urban and semi-urban centers. This infrastructure supports annual post-2020 growth rates of 15-20% in FTTH subscribers, driven by increasing demand for high-speed connectivity.

Competitive Position

DishHome maintains a dominant position in Nepal's direct-to-home (DTH) market, with approximately 450,000 subscribers as of mid-2024, significantly ahead of competitors like WorldLink and smaller cable providers. In the segment, it holds about 11% market share with around 280,000 subscribers as of the same period, positioning it as the leading private provider behind state-owned and WorldLink, which together control over 50% of the 3.24 million fixed users. This dual-market presence underscores DishHome's role as a key private player in Nepal's telecom landscape, where it serves roughly 730,000 total subscribers across services as of mid-2024. Key strengths include its status as Nepal's pioneering DTH provider since , enabling early market capture and the introduction of integrated DTH and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) bundles that appeal to rural and semi-urban households seeking affordable convergence. The company emphasizes cost-effective packages, with HD content available at entry-level prices starting from 500 monthly, alongside partnerships with that deliver superior fiber speeds up to 1 Gbps for residential users. These factors have fueled its growth as the second-largest ISP overall, despite the DTH segment's recent 26% year-over-year subscriber decline amid shifting viewer preferences. Challenges persist from entrenched urban cable operators, which retain loyalty through localized content and lower infrastructure costs in cities like , eroding DishHome's penetration in high-density areas. Additionally, regulatory barriers in spectrum allocation hinder expansion into mobile services, favoring state-backed rivals like with established / licenses, while intense price wars in squeeze margins. To counter these, DishHome has plans for an (IPO) of over 13.5 million shares valued at 1.36 billion, following its 2023 application to regulators, aimed at raising capital for network upgrades and competing against better-funded incumbents. Looking ahead, DishHome is diversifying via its OTT platform "DishHome Go," launched in 2024 with 100 premium live channels to mitigate threats from global streaming services like . In November 2025, DishHome Go secured exclusive worldwide OTT streaming rights (excluding ) for the Nepal Premier League Season 2, while exploring 5G integrations to bolster offerings.

References

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