New Delhi: Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting may soon move closer to implementation in India, after a key government panel reportedly approved the proposal last week.
According to reports, the Committee of Secretaries (CoS), which had been tasked with examining the viability of the technology, has given its nod while taking into account concerns raised by industry stakeholders, particularly telecom operators.
The proposal has faced resistance from telecom service providers since its early stages. Telcos argue that D2M poses a potential threat to their data-driven revenue models. Unlike conventional streaming, D2M technology enables users to receive multimedia content directly on mobile devices without relying on internet data.
This means high-demand content, including live sports such as cricket matches, could be accessed without consuming mobile data, potentially impacting operators’ earnings from data services.
Meanwhile, public broadcaster Prasar Bharati is spearheading technical trials of the D2M platform in partnership with IIT Kanpur and Saankhya Labs, now a part of Tejas Networks. Pilot projects are currently underway in over 19 cities across the country to test the feasibility and scalability of the technology.
