Context: The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) has identified significant challenges in implementing direct-to-mobile (D2M) technology, which allows streaming TV content directly to mobile phones without an internet connection.

• The proposal for D2M has faced opposition from technology companies like Qualcomm, Samsung, Ericsson, Nokia, and telecom operators.

Key Concern

• Hasty Implementation Worries: Stakeholders expressed concerns about the government’s rushed approach to implementing a technology still in its early stages.

• Telcos’ Revenue Concerns: Telecom operators are apprehensive about potential revenue losses from their data business if mobiles pick up signals from D2M technology.

About Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) Technology

• D2M is a broadcasting technology designed to transmit multimedia content directly to consumers' smartphones without the need for an active internet connection.

• Traditionally, it has been employed for issuing emergency alerts and assisting in disaster management.

• However, its versatility extends beyond these conventional applications.

• D2M allows governments to broadcast citizen-centric information, and telecom operators can collaborate with content providers to deliver multimedia content, including live news, without putting excessive strain on network bandwidth.

• This approach benefits consumers by reducing their reliance on internet data consumption for staying informed and entertained.

How does D2M technology work?

• D2M technology functions in a manner similar to listening to FM radio on a smartphone, where a receiver taps into radio frequencies.

• Another comparison is direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting, in which a dish antenna receives broadcast signals directly from satellites and transmits them to a receiver, known as a set-top box.

Why it is not ready for rollout?

• Currently, mobile devices lack support for D2M technology as it requires the ATSC 3.0 standard.

• ATSC 3.0 represents the latest version of the Advanced Television Systems Committee standards, designed to define how television signals from different networks, including terrestrial, satellite, and cable networks, are broadcasted and interpreted by devices.

• To make devices compatible, a separate baseband processing unit, antenna, low-noise amplifiers, baseband filters, and a receiver are needed, increasing smartphone costs and potentially disrupting LTE and 5G network designs.

• The current network infrastructure is not equipped to transmit signals for D2M.

• It requires a dense network of terrestrial towers to receive signals from satellites and transmit them to devices, necessitating smaller device antennas.

Alternative to D2M

• An alternative to D2M is 5G Broadcast technology, currently undergoing testing.

• It utilizes high towers with powerful transmitters to distribute media content via continuous, linear data streams.

• This approach eliminates the need for a new processing unit, potentially reducing device costs.

• 5G Broadcast is compatible with both 5G and 4G, operates within the existing network setup, and eliminates the need for a separate processing unit.

• It utilizes high towers with powerful transmitters for efficient content distribution.

Road Ahead

• Critical Factors: The success of D2M in India will depend on the development of a device ecosystem and the ability to broadcast to a vast number of open-market mobile devices.

• Navigating Implementation Challenges: Addressing the identified challenges and considering stakeholder concerns will be crucial in determining the feasibility and success of D2M technology in India.