#e4mExclusive:  Multi-ministry nod clears D2M broadcasting rollout path after telcos raise test concerns

India’s push to develop a nationwide Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting ecosystem crossed a crucial milestone, with multi-ministry-backed laboratory and field trials validating both the technical viability and regulatory compatibility of the technology. 

Documents accessed by e4m state that the equipment developed by Tejas Networks Limited has successfully cleared these tests, marking a significant step toward potential commercial rollout.

This development is important because it follows months of concerns raised by private telecom operators regarding the transparency and robustness of earlier trials. With representatives from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and public broadcaster Prasar Bharati participating in the validation process, the latest round of testing is being seen as a decisive endorsement of the technology’s readiness.

Earlier studies commissioned by Prasar Bharati and conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur had concluded that D2M broadcasting in the 470–582 MHz band does not cause harmful interference to cellular networks nor does it lead to abnormal heating in smartphones. However, these findings were contested by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents major telecom operators including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.

COAI had argued that the earlier tests lacked transparency and deviated from the consultative and technology-neutral framework prescribed by the government. It had sought fresh trials and wider stakeholder consultations before any policy decisions could be taken. The latest lab and field validations, conducted in the presence of multiple government agencies, appear to directly address these concerns.

D2M technology enables the broadcast of IP-based content—including audio and video—directly to compatible devices such as smartphones, feature phones, tablets, laptops, and television sets without requiring an active internet or cellular data connection. Similar in concept to FM radio reception, it leverages the underutilised UHF broadcast spectrum in the 470–582 MHz band to deliver live television and multimedia content.

From a policy standpoint, the technology is seen as a potential solution to alleviate congestion on India’s fast-growing mobile data networks, while also extending access to free-to-air broadcast content to millions of users, particularly in areas with limited internet connectivity or among feature phone users.

The laboratory tests focused on transmitter spectral compliance and coexistence with existing telecom networks. According to the latest findings (documents accessed by e4m), D2M signals did not cause any measurable interference with legacy and current cellular technologies, including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G services. The tests also demonstrated the robustness of the emerging device ecosystem, which includes a range of compatible receivers such as dongles, smartphones, and home gateways.

The field trials, conducted in New Delhi, evaluated real-world performance and user experience. One of the key findings was that standard telephony services—including voice calls and SMS—retained priority over D2M content playback. Devices automatically paused broadcast streams during incoming calls, ensuring that core communication services were not compromised.

The field demonstrations also validated the effectiveness of Single Frequency Network (SFN) transmission for D2M. Compared to traditional Multi Frequency Network (MFN) setups, SFN allows multiple transmitters to operate on the same frequency, improving signal strength and ensuring deeper indoor coverage. This architecture is particularly suited to urban environments and supports a consistent user experience regardless of the number of concurrent users.

What lends additional weight to these findings is the breadth of institutional participation. The tests were conducted in the presence of officials from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of DoT, the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), the Department of Science and Technology (DST), MeitY, MIB, Prasar Bharati, and Tejas Networks. This cross-ministerial involvement underscores the complex regulatory landscape governing D2M, where spectrum allocation, device standards, broadcasting policy, and scientific validation intersect.

Industry experts note that such coordinated validation is critical for emerging technologies that cut across traditional sectoral boundaries. “D2M sits at the intersection of telecom and broadcasting, which makes regulatory alignment essential. Multi-ministry sign-off significantly de-risks the next phase of deployment,” said a media technology analyst familiar with the trials.

With both transmitter infrastructure and receiver devices now having passed regulatory-grade testing, attention is expected to shift to the next set of challenges. These include finalising device certification norms, scaling up low-power low-tower (LPLT) transmitter networks beyond pilot regions, and building a compelling content ecosystem to drive user adoption.

The MarkOne D2M handset and dongle solution developed by Tejas Networks, operating on the ATSC 3.0 standard within the 470–582 MHz band, is now backed by documented evidence of compliance and functionality. This could provide a reference architecture for future deployments.

Going forward, Prasar Bharati is expected to play a central role as the broadcast backbone, while the DoT will be key in shaping spectrum policy. MeitY’s involvement will be crucial for device standardisation and ecosystem development.

If successfully implemented at scale, D2M could fundamentally reshape India’s content distribution landscape by enabling direct broadcast access on mobile devices without reliance on data networks. With the latest round of tests clearing a major hurdle, India’s ambition of delivering free broadcast television to every mobile phone appears closer to reality than before.