Indian Telecom Jio Launches Bundled Netflix Subscription with Prepaid Plans

Indian telecommunications company Jio now offers prepaid voice and data plans that include a bundled Netflix subscription.

This is the first time that Netflix will be available on a prepaid plan anywhere in the world, and it expands the streaming service’s reach to over 400 million Jio prepaid customers, Jio said in a Friday (Aug. 18) press release. Previously, Netflix subscriptions were only available on select Jio Postpaid and Jio Fiber plans.

The new partnership provides Jio’s prepaid customers with unrestricted access to Netflix’s library of movies, TV shows and documentaries, according to the release. Jio Platforms Limited is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited and operates a network with 4G LTE and 5G technologies.

Kiran Thomas, the CEO of Jio Platforms Limited, said the launch of Netflix bundles is part of Jio’s commitment to bringing world-class services to customers.

“Our partnership with global partners like Netflix has grown in strength, and together we are creating use cases for the rest of the world to follow,” Thomas said.

Tony Zameczkowski, vice president of APAC partnerships for Netflix, said that over the years, Netflix has launched successful local shows, documentaries and films that have been loved by audiences in India.

“Our collection of must-watch stories is growing, and our new prepaid bundle partnership with Jio will give more customers access to this exciting line-up of Indian content as well as some incredible stories from around the world,” Zameczkowski said.

This move will provide Netflix with a new way to make money at a time when the American market for streaming services may be saturated, Reuters reported Friday.

For Jio, the new offering can enhance its competitiveness in the Indian telecommunications market, according to the report. Its rivals, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, offer prepaid bundled plans that include the Disney+ Hotstar streaming service.

In another recent expansion of Netflix’s services, the company said Monday (Aug. 14) that it is rolling out a limited beta test of games to a small number of members in Canada and the United Kingdom on select devices. The firm has kept the progress of its video gaming efforts close to the vest as it tests what flies and how it can add new subscribers via gaming.