The upcoming trials for the indigenous Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technology, a collaborative effort between Saankhya Labs and IIT Kanpur, are poised to unfold across 19 cities, as announced by the central government. This cutting-edge innovation is set to empower mobile users, allowing them to seamlessly stream videos on their smartphones even in the absence of an active internet connection.
Back in June of the previous year, IIT-Kanpur joined forces with Prasar Bharti and the Telecommunications Development Society to release an extensive white paper on D2M Broadcasting. This document delved into the intricacies of the technology, providing valuable insights. Moreover, a communication from the Ministry of Communications in August 2023 detailed diverse potential applications of D2M, encompassing content delivery, educational initiatives, and the dissemination of information in times of crisis or emergency.
D2M, or Direct to Mobile, has arisen in response to the growing demand for personalized, on-demand content delivery. This innovative approach allows users to access a diverse array of multimedia content directly on their smartphones and tablets, bypassing traditional broadcasting methods that involve transmitting signals from a centralized station to receivers like televisions and radios.
The functioning of D2M is analogous to FM radio, where signals are sent via a station and received by FM radios on specific frequencies. Similarly, it draws parallels to direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting, where a dish antenna receives broadcast signals directly from satellites and relays them to the set-top box.
D2M technology is designed to leverage the strengths of both technologies, transmitting signals directly to receivers, in this case, mobile phones. The approach utilizes terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure and a designated spectrum to transmit data signals directly to mobile devices.
As highlighted by Apurva Chandra, the Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, the government has earmarked the 470-582MHz spectrum for this emerging technology. Through D2M, users will have the ability to stream multimedia content such as live TV matches directly, without relying on internet connectivity.
The introduction of D2M technology promises significant advantages for both smartphone users and telecom operators. This innovation is poised to alleviate the burden on 5G networks by diverting 25-30% of video traffic, thereby expediting the digital evolution and democratizing content delivery across the nation.
The government notes that a substantial 69% of the content accessed by users on 80 crore smartphones in India is in video format. Beyond catering to those with alternative devices like televisions, D2M technology is expected to extend its reach to nearly 8-9 crore households categorized as “TV Dark,” addressing areas currently underserved in terms of television access.
In light of the country’s 280 million households, approximately 190 million currently possess television sets. The deployment of D2M is anticipated to bring about positive implications for the efficient distribution of content and the optimization of network resources.