D2M broadcasting RFP likely in a month

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati is likely to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the commercial rollout of Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting within the next month, a top official from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has confirmed to e4m, as the industry awaits progress on the technology amid repeated extensions in the timeline for issuing the tender.

The proposed RFP is expected to mark a crucial step towards commercialising D2M broadcasting, which has been under evaluation for a long time. While the successful completion of a fresh round of technology validation tests has provided momentum to the initiative, the industry is keenly awaiting the next phase, with the delay in the tender's release raising questions about when the technology could move from trials to commercial deployment.

Also Read: Multi-ministry nod clears D2M broadcasting rollout path after telcos raise test concerns

D2M broadcasting creates robust data pipe for content delivery: Dr. L. Murugan

BSNL, IIT Kanpur eye D2M broadcast to ease congestion during IPL & other live events

EY submits D2M roadmap to Prasar Bharati; DPR forwarded to MIB after revisions

“The industry has been waiting for the RFP for some time now. The latest technology validation was encouraging, but the lack of clarity on the tender timeline has made it difficult for stakeholders to plan investments, partnerships and deployment strategies. The next month will be important in determining how the project moves forward,” an industry executive familiar with the D2M initiative said.

The development comes after equipment developed by Tejas Networks Ltd successfully cleared the latest round of testing, according to documents reviewed by e4m. The tests were conducted in the presence of representatives from the MIB, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Prasar Bharati.

Industry stakeholders view the validation exercise as an important milestone, particularly given the concerns previously raised by private telecom operators over the transparency and robustness of earlier trials. However, the transition from technical validation to a commercial framework remains a key milestone for the project.

“Successful trials are only one part of the process. The industry is looking for clarity on the commercial model, the responsibilities of participating stakeholders and the roadmap for scaling the technology. There is considerable anticipation around D2M, but the RFP needs to provide the framework that allows companies to assess the opportunity and commit resources,” a senior executive from the media and technology industry said.

D2M technology enables video, audio, educational content, news updates and emergency alerts to be transmitted directly to compatible mobile devices using broadcast spectrum, without relying on conventional broadband or cellular networks for content delivery.

Proponents believe the technology could complement existing internet-based streaming services by enabling broadcasters to distribute content to large audiences without placing additional demands on mobile data networks. It could also provide an alternative means of delivering content in regions where internet connectivity is unreliable or data costs remain a barrier to consumption.

The potential applications extend beyond entertainment. D2M supporters have highlighted its utility for educational programming, public information and emergency alerts, particularly during situations in which conventional telecommunications networks face congestion or disruption.

The latest progress follows technical studies commissioned by Prasar Bharati and conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. The studies concluded that D2M broadcasting in the 470–582 MHz spectrum band does not cause harmful interference to cellular networks or result in abnormal heating of smartphones.

These findings, however, have been challenged by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), whose members include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. Telecom operators have sought greater scrutiny of the technology's implications for existing mobile networks and spectrum utilisation, making industry consultation and technical clarity important considerations for the rollout.

Beyond the technical aspects, a report prepared by consultancy EY has outlined a nationwide implementation strategy for D2M, recommending a public-private partnership (PPP) model and a long-term commercial framework to support deployment at scale.

The technology is also being positioned as a possible means of addressing gaps in conventional television access. Government estimates have indicated that, of India's approximately 280 million households, around 190 million have access to television services, leaving nearly 90 million households outside the television ecosystem. 

The country's substantial mobile-device base offers a potential alternative distribution channel, subject to device compatibility and the development of a viable commercial model.

Prasar Bharati, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and Saankhya Labs, now part of Tata Group-owned Tejas Networks, has been conducting D2M trials across more than 19 cities. The pilots are evaluating multiple transmission architectures using high-power and low-power broadcast infrastructure. Earlier proof-of-concept demonstrations in Delhi and Bengaluru had established the feasibility of transmitting multimedia content directly to mobile devices.

The proposed RFP is expected to provide greater clarity on deployment models, commercial partnerships and the operational framework for taking D2M beyond the trial stage. For industry stakeholders, its release will be an important indicator of the government's readiness to move towards a wider rollout.

While the latest validation has renewed expectations around the project, the industry is now looking for a definitive step towards commercialisation. With the MIB official indicating that the RFP is likely within the next month, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the proposed timeline translates into tangible progress.