India has moved a step closer to implementing Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting, with the Committee of Secretaries granting in-principle clearance for the technology. The decision marks a strategic push to deliver live television and multimedia content directly to mobile devices without internet connectivity, potentially reshaping the country’s media distribution landscape.
The clearance was accompanied by the formation of a high-level committee to address ongoing concerns from telecom operators and other industry stakeholders. “The CoS has effectively given an in-principle clearance to D2M while asking for a structured resolution of inter-ministerial and industry concerns,” a senior industry executive told Storyboard18. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has also appointed Ernst & Young as project management consultant to develop a national roadmap, including business and revenue models.
Prasar Bharati, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and Tejas Networks, has run technology trials across 19 cities. D2M technology, which functions similarly to FM radio, enables content to be broadcast via terrestrial signals without relying on mobile data networks. The government expects rollout preparations to begin by mid-2026, with commercial availability targeted toward the end of that year.
Officials view D2M as a potential tool to bridge India’s digital divide. While India has about 280 million households, nearly 90 million are still without television access. With over 800 million smartphone users and 250 million feature phone users, the technology could significantly expand access to information and entertainment across the country.
However, telecom operators remain cautious. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, has voiced concerns over the lack of transparency in recent technical trials. COAI Director General SP Kochhar emphasized that D2M’s implications for spectrum, networks, and device ecosystems require careful evaluation. Despite pushback, both industry and government sources indicate the technology’s rollout now appears inevitable.
