Telecom operators flag flaws in direct-to-mobile broadcasting tests, seek fresh evaluation

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• Telecom operators request new, transparent D2M broadcasting trials with stakeholders.
• COAI: Past D2M tests missed operator, device maker input, and clear terms.
• Industry calls for inclusive evaluation, public input, and tech-neutral standards

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Private telecom operators have challenged the recent technical tests for Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting and sought fresh trials, saying the earlier ones deviate from the transparent, consultative and technology-neutral framework envisaged by the government.

The trials were conducted without the involvement of operators or device ecosystem partners and the terms of reference were also not shared, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has said.

“Direct-to-Mobile broadcasting has far-reaching implications for spectrum, networks, devices and consumer safety. Any national-level technical evaluation of such a technology must be transparent, inclusive and technology-neutral, with active participation of all affected stakeholders,” COAI director general SP Kochhar said.

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur and technology partners such as Tejas Networks (Saankhya Labs) conducted the trials. Saankhya has developed a D2M chip for handsets.

D2M broadcasting allows smartphones to receive live TV, videos, and other multimedia content directly from terrestrial broadcast towers without an active internet connection or a SIM card. It has significant implications for spectrum usage, telecom networks, devices and consumer safety.

COAI members, which included Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, participated in discussions and submitted detailed inputs to support a credible, India-specific assessment of D2M but were taken by surprise by the release of a technical test report in which they were not involved.

‘Conduct fresh tests’

COAI has urged the government to realign the D2M evaluation process with the principles outlined in the September stakeholder meeting by re-conducting the technical assessment with a comprehensive, stakeholder-finalised Terms of Reference.

The industry body has sought a fresh evaluation that is technology-neutral and includes all relevant D2M options, with participation from telecom operators, device makers, chipset vendors, regulators and accredited laboratories.

COAI has also called for a structured public consultation under the aegis of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), along with the development of standards, key performance indicators and benchmarks through an open consultative process led by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC).

COAI said the absence of telecom operators, whose networks and spectrum resources are directly impacted, as well as device OEMs undermines the credibility of the conclusions drawn.

The scope of testing appeared narrowly confined to a limited set of parameters such as interference and device heating, while excluding several critical aspects.

The test methodology did not adequately reflect India-specific spectrum allocations and deployment conditions, limiting the relevance of the findings for real-world network operations.

The evaluation focused on only one technology standard, without assessing other comparable and globally relevant solutions, including cellular-based broadcast technologies, COAI said.

‘Improper risk assessment’

The selective evaluation of a single technology risks pre-empting outcomes and could have unintended consequences for India’s digital and telecom ecosystem, COAI cautioned.

A national-level assessment of D2M must allow a fair comparison of all viable technologies on parameters such as coexistence with IMT/5G networks, scalability, device impact and long-term spectrum efficiency.

D2M broadcasting allows smartphones to receive live TV, videos, and other multimedia content directly from terrestrial broadcast towers without an active internet connection or a SIM card. It has significant implications for spectrum usage, telecom networks, devices and consumer safety.

The information and broadcasting ministry in September meeting directed that a comprehensive technical evaluation be undertaken with clearly defined ToR, participation of all relevant stakeholders and inclusion of parallel technology options.

Reiterating its support for innovation in broadcasting and digital services, COAI said policy and regulatory decisions of this magnitude must be anchored in transparent, inclusive and technically rigorous processes to protect consumer interests, network integrity and the efficient use of national spectrum resources.

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