India’s D2M broadcasting project advances as DPR reaches I&B Ministry

India’s Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting initiative has entered a key policy stage after consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY) submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to Prasar Bharati, which has approved the document and forwarded it to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) for review, sources said.

EY, appointed as project management consultant, was tasked with preparing a nationwide rollout strategy, including a public-private partnership (PPP) framework and a sustainable revenue model for the technology.

The DPR, revised multiple times following consultations with ministries and industry stakeholders, is expected to serve as the government’s roadmap for future D2M deployment, including expanded pilot projects and eventual commercial launch.

D2M technology enables the delivery of video, educational content, news and emergency alerts directly to mobile devices without requiring internet connectivity, and is seen by policymakers as a tool to improve digital inclusion and reduce pressure on telecom networks.

The development comes as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Communications Technology has urged the government to expedite policy decisions related to D2M. The MIB has informed Parliament that Prasar Bharati was directed to prepare a comprehensive implementation roadmap incorporating stakeholder feedback.

Prasar Bharati, in partnership with IIT Kanpur and Saankhya Labs (now part of Tejas Networks), is currently conducting D2M trials in more than 19 cities. Earlier proof-of-concept demonstrations in Delhi and Bengaluru successfully showcased direct multimedia delivery to mobile devices.

The project recently received a major boost after the Committee of Secretaries approved allocation of the 470–582 MHz spectrum band for D2M services and endorsed a PPP-based deployment model. The committee has asked Prasar Bharati to begin the first phase of implementation within six months while addressing stakeholder concerns through a dedicated panel.

While broadcasters have largely backed the initiative, telecom operators continue to oppose the spectrum allocation. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has argued that dedicating the band to D2M could affect mobile broadband expansion and video-related revenues.

Beyond smartphones, recent demonstrations by Intel and Tejas Networks have shown D2M capabilities on laptops, enabling content delivery without Wi-Fi or internet access.

With the DPR now under government review, industry stakeholders are awaiting decisions on spectrum allocation, tendering processes and timelines for commercial deployment.
BCS Bureau