Direct-to-Mobile Phones to Strengthen ‘Make in India’ Initiative

In a notable move set to reshape India’s digital consumption landscape, Free Stream Technologies, Lava International, and Human Mobile Devices (HMD) Global have jointly announced plans to launch Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) phones. This announcement, made just ahead of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai, signals a fresh chapter in accessible digital media for the Indian public.

What Is Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) Technology?

Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) is an emerging broadcasting technology that allows live TV, video, audio, and text messages to be delivered straight to mobile phones through terrestrial television broadcast airwaves. What sets it apart is that it requires no Wi-Fi or internet connection. This breakthrough means that users can enjoy a variety of multimedia services—including entertainment, sports, educational content, and emergency alerts—without relying on mobile data or broadband.

Supporting a Developed India Vision

The introduction of D2M technology aligns closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India). By enabling uninterrupted access to information and entertainment across urban and rural regions alike, D2M phones hold the potential to bridge the digital divide. This also lends strong support to the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Design in India’ initiatives, especially as the new devices are expected to be powered by Tejas Networks’ Security Level (SL)-3000 D2M chipsets.

Collaboration Driving Domestic Innovation

The strategic partnership among Free Stream Technologies, Lava, and HMD Global is aimed at establishing a scalable ecosystem for D2M-enabled devices in India. Mr. Sumeet Nindrajog, Director of Free Stream Technologies, stated that the role of Lava and HMD is crucial in making these devices affordable and accessible to a wide consumer base. This collaborative approach also highlights the maturity of India’s hardware manufacturing and design capabilities.

Tejas Networks’ Role and Added Capabilities

Tejas Networks, a key Indian telecom equipment manufacturer, is playing a central role by offering the core network infrastructure that powers this new technology. This platform is designed not only to broadcast standard content but also to enable targeted advertisements, educational content, and real-time emergency alerts. This makes the platform both commercially viable and socially beneficial.

Backed by Academic and Government-Led Trials

The deployment of D2M technology is built upon successful proof-of-concept trials led by IIT Kanpur and Prasar Bharati. These trials confirmed the feasibility of D2M broadcasts across varied environments in India and demonstrated the readiness of the infrastructure for national deployment. This adds a layer of confidence to the initiative, suggesting that the country is now ready for a wider rollout.

Conclusion

The initiative also stands as a testament to growing collaboration between India and the United States in the field of digital infrastructure and emerging technologies. It showcases how 2 large democracies can jointly contribute to the global technological ecosystem through shared innovation and mutual interest.

Read More: Apple Begins Exporting Made-in-India AirPods: A Shift in Global Supply Chain

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