So When Will The Telkom Group Unblock Netflix?

Netflix service illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Rumors about the Telkom Group's plan to unblock the Netflix video streaming service are increasingly being heard. Even rumors say, if this discourse will materialize in the near future.

According to a close source, Telkom's plan to block Netflix will be realized in the near future. It is not known exactly when, but many rumors say Telkom will provide Netflix access in the first week of July 2020.

This means that all Telkom Group internet service users, from IndiHome to Telkomsel, will be able to access and stream Netflix without a VPN (virtual private network). This decision ends Telkom's blocking of Netflix on all their internet services since January 2016.

"We'll just wait. The time will be delivered," said the source in his short message, Thursday, July 2.

The above statement is quite interesting. Because if seen beforehand, regarding the issue of unblocking Netflix, Telkom Group always says 'Netflix service cannot be accessed' or 'still in talks'.

The President Director of Telkomsel, Setyanto Hantoro, previously mentioned the plan to unblock Netflix. At that time Setyanto said that the opening of Netflix access by the Telkom Group would still consider whether Netflix would comply with government regulations.

"If they want to change to comply with regulations, especially regarding content and take down policies, and also want to empower local content producers more, we are ready to open Netflix on Indihome and Telkomsel," he said in a webinar held by Tempo on June 11. 2020.

Apart from the Telkom Group's plans, Netflix itself has recently collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) to present a number of documentary shows and those broadcast by TVRI. This is the first time that Netflix broadcasts on television, since its expansion to Indonesia in 2016 until now.

Even if the Telkom Group still blocks the Netflix service. Several other cellular operators have not restricted access to on-demand video streaming from sites from the United States. Some examples include XL and Smartfen.