India’s ambitious pursuit of Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting technology, designed to deliver live television content to smartphones without relying on cellular data, has plunged into controversy, drawing sharp criticism from the country’s prominent telecom industry body. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has voiced profound concerns regarding the methodology and transparency of recent technical evaluations commissioned by public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, arguing that the process has sidelined critical stakeholders and risks undermining the nation’s digital infrastructure. This burgeoning dispute highlights the complex interplay between technological innovation, public service mandates, and the imperative for regulatory foresight in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The essence of Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technology lies in its ability to circumvent traditional cellular networks for content delivery. Imagine watching live sports, news, or entertainment channels on your smartphone even in areas with no cellular coverage, or without consuming your precious data allowance. This is the promise of D2M. Technically, it involves broadcasting content over terrestrial networks, similar to how traditional television signals are transmitted via UHF or VHF bands, directly to mobile devices equipped with compatible tuner chips. Proponents argue that D2M could revolutionize content consumption, particularly in a country like India with its vast geographical spread and diverse socio-economic strata. It holds the potential to bridge the digital divide, offer cost-effective entertainment and information, and serve as a crucial communication tool during disaster relief operations when cellular networks are often compromised. Globally, similar technologies like ATSC 3.0 in the United States and DVB-T2 Lite in Europe are exploring terrestrial broadcast delivery to mobile and portable devices, underscoring a broader trend towards hybrid content delivery models.
Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, has been a key proponent of D2M, viewing it as an extension of its mandate to reach every citizen. In 2019, it partnered with IIT Kanpur to conduct technical verification of potential concerns surrounding the technology. The primary objectives were to assess the interference risks D2M broadcast signals might pose to existing telecom services and to evaluate the potential for mobile device heating due to continuous D2M operation. The IIT Kanpur study, facilitated through the Telecom Engineering Centre and involving entities like Tata group firm Tejas Networks, reportedly culminated in a report that refuted these specific concerns. However, the exact details of this report and the full methodology employed have become a focal point of the current controversy.
COAI’s objections are multi-faceted and deeply rooted in the principles of fair competition, transparent regulation, and sound technological integration. The industry body contends that the recent D2M technical tests were conducted in a manner that "falls short of the transparent, consultative and technology-neutral framework as envisaged by the government." A core grievance is the conspicuous absence of active participation from vital stakeholders, including telecom service providers (TSPs), mobile device manufacturers (OEMs), and chipset vendors. These entities, COAI argues, possess indispensable expertise regarding network infrastructure, spectrum management, device compatibility, and consumer experience – all directly impacted by D2M integration. The lack of their involvement, the association asserts, significantly undermines the credibility and objectivity of the conclusions drawn from such an exercise.
A critical point of contention revolves around spectrum allocation. Telecom players have emphatically stated that D2M broadcasting has direct implications for spectrum bands already identified and earmarked for existing and future 5G services. India is in the midst of an aggressive 5G rollout, with significant investments made by operators. Any new technology that potentially encroaches upon or interferes with these vital airwaves could lead to severe coexistence challenges, operational disruptions, and necessitate costly network reconfigurations. The industry emphasizes that any assessment undertaken without their active involvement risks overlooking these critical long-term spectrum planning considerations, which are foundational to India’s connectivity roadmap and its aspirations as a digital economy.
Furthermore, COAI has highlighted a perceived lack of transparency regarding the terms of reference (ToR) for the technical tests. The industry body claims that the ToR was not shared with all stakeholders prior to the conduct of the tests, leaving them in the dark about the scope, parameters, and evaluation criteria. This opaqueness, combined with the exclusion of key players, has led to accusations of procedural unfairness and a lack of objectivity. Another major concern is the alleged narrow focus of the evaluation, which reportedly concentrated on only one D2M technology standard. COAI has consistently advocated for a technology-neutral assessment, one that allows for a comprehensive and objective comparison of all viable options, including cellular-based broadcast technologies like evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (eMBMS), against parameters such as coexistence with IMT/5G networks, scalability, device impact, and long-term spectrum efficiency. Limiting the evaluation to a single standard, they argue, stifles innovation and prevents the identification of the most optimal solution for India’s unique market conditions.
The economic and strategic implications of D2M technology are substantial for all stakeholders. For telecom operators, the prospect of content delivery bypassing their networks could impact data revenues, which form a significant portion of their income. Moreover, potential spectrum conflicts could lead to costly refarming or re-licensing of frequencies, disrupting their investment cycles for 5G and beyond. For consumers, D2M offers the tantalizing prospect of free, ubiquitous content, but if not implemented carefully, it could also lead to issues like increased device costs (due to integrated tuner chips), potential battery drain, or even fragmented content ecosystems if multiple standards emerge without clear interoperability. Device manufacturers face the challenge of integrating new hardware, which could influence product design and pricing. From a governmental and regulatory perspective, the challenge lies in balancing the public service broadcasting mandate with the growth and stability of the telecom sector. Optimal spectrum utilization, fostering innovation, ensuring fair competition, and protecting consumer interests are paramount. A misstep in this critical phase could jeopardize India’s "Digital India" vision by creating regulatory uncertainty and discouraging investment.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) itself had, during a stakeholder meeting in September 2023, directed that a comprehensive technical evaluation of D2M be undertaken. Crucially, this directive specified the need for clearly defined Terms of Reference (ToR), active participation of all relevant stakeholders, and the inclusion of all parallel technology options. COAI contends that the recently conducted tests deviate significantly from these stated objectives, prompting their urgent call for a re-evaluation.
To move forward, COAI has outlined a clear path, advocating for a re-conducting of the technical evaluation. This renewed process, they insist, must be guided by a comprehensive and stakeholder-finalized terms of reference. It must ensure the evaluation of all relevant D2M technology options in a truly technology-neutral manner. Furthermore, it demands the active involvement of all key players: telecom operators, device manufacturers, chipset vendors, regulators, and accredited laboratories across every stage of the evaluation process. The industry body also recommends undertaking a structured public consultation through the Department of Telecom (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), fostering an open dialogue to gather diverse perspectives. Finally, it calls for the development of standards and performance benchmarks through an open consultative process led by the state-owned Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC), ensuring that any adopted solution is robust, interoperable, and future-proof.
The unfolding debate over Direct-to-Mobile technology in India represents a critical juncture for the nation’s digital future. While the promise of delivering free, ubiquitous content to millions of smartphone users is undeniably appealing and aligns with public service broadcasting goals, the integration of such a disruptive technology demands a meticulous, transparent, and collaborative approach. The telecom industry’s concerns are not merely commercial but extend to fundamental issues of spectrum efficiency, network integrity, and consumer safety. A truly successful implementation of D2M will require overcoming these challenges through inclusive stakeholder engagement, comprehensive technical assessments, and a regulatory framework that fosters innovation without undermining the stability and growth of India’s vital digital ecosystem. The stakes are high, and the outcome will significantly shape how information and entertainment reach the next billion users in India.
