D2M Signals Found to Be Non Interfering with Mobile Networks: Report

Why It Matters

The findings remove a key technical barrier, paving the way for D2M services that could reshape content monetisation and pressure telecom operators’ traditional data‑usage income.

Key Takeaways

• D2M streams video directly to phones without internet data.
• Tejas Networks proved D2M signals don’t interfere with 2G‑5G.
• Tests used ATSC 3.0 in 470‑582 MHz spectrum band.
• Indian ministries approved rapid D2M rollout.
• Telcos risk revenue loss as data traffic bypasses them.

Pulse Analysis

Direct‑to‑Mobile (D2M) is a nascent delivery model that leverages the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard to push video streams straight to a handset, eliminating the need for a data‑centric internet connection. By decoupling content consumption from data plans, D2M could unlock new pricing structures where users pay a flat fee per channel or per program, while manufacturers retain existing device ecosystems. This shift mirrors the early days of over‑the‑air television, but with the flexibility of modern smartphones and high‑definition codecs, offering a compelling alternative for markets with expensive mobile data.

The technical hurdle that has long haunted D2M proponents—potential interference with existing mobile networks—was addressed in a recent field trial conducted by Tejas Networks. Using the MarkOne D2M handset, engineers broadcasted signals in the 470‑582 MHz band, a spectrum historically allocated to broadcast services, and measured coexistence with 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G carriers. The results showed no measurable degradation in legacy network performance, satisfying the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Government backing now accelerates the path to commercial deployment, with regulators poised to issue spectrum licences and service licences in the coming months.

For Indian telecom operators, the implications are profound. Data‑driven revenue accounts for a sizable share of their earnings, and a D2M rollout could siphon off a portion of that traffic, especially high‑value video streaming. Operators may need to renegotiate wholesale agreements, explore revenue‑sharing models with broadcasters, or invest in complementary services such as edge caching and premium content bundles. Meanwhile, broadcasters and technology firms stand to gain from direct access to consumers, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics of India’s fast‑growing digital entertainment market.