Can you watch TV on your phone without a SIM card or mobile data? Find out what India's D2M technology is and how it works..

Can you imagine watching live TV, news, or other broadcast content on your phone without an internet connection or mobile data? Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technology in India is working towards making this a reality. However, this feature has not yet been rolled out to general smartphone users.

Prasar Bharati is preparing for a commercial rollout by September 2026, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected to be issued in October.

What is D2M technology?

D2M stands for Direct-to-Mobile. Instead of relying on mobile networks or Wi-Fi, it delivers video, audio, and data directly to D2M-compatible mobile devices via terrestrial broadcast networks.

According to the government, D2M does not depend on SIM cards or mobile data. It can be used to deliver entertainment as well as educational content, news, and emergency alerts.

Prasar Bharati and IIT Kanpur have been working on this technology in India for a long time. IIT Kanpur has conducted several proofs-of-concept and tests for D2M. Trials were held in Delhi and Bengaluru in 2025, and testing and validation of the technology continued into 2026.

How does live TV work without the internet?
With D2M, instead of sending content to each user via a separate internet stream, the signal is broadcast to multiple devices simultaneously.
This means that if millions of people are watching a live match or news broadcast at the same time, there is no need for a separate mobile data stream for each user. This has the potential to reduce the load of video traffic on mobile networks.

What are the potential benefits of D2M?
- Reduced dependence on mobile data.
Live TV and other broadcast content can be delivered via broadcast networks instead of mobile data. This could help reduce the data load on mobile networks, especially during major live events. However, it would be premature to claim that this will increase 4G/5G speeds "manifold" or completely eliminate call drop issues.

-Assistance with Emergency Alerts and Education
A key application of D2M lies in disaster or emergency situations. According to government information, this technology can be used to deliver emergency messages, news, and educational content to mobile devices.

-Ability to View Content Without Mobile Data
The biggest advantage of D2M is that a mobile data connection will not be required to view broadcast content on compatible devices. This does not mean that all online content will become free; which content is free versus paid will depend on future commercial models.

Will it work on existing smartphones?
This is the biggest caveat. Not every existing smartphone supports D2M.
To receive D2M signals, a phone must possess the necessary hardware and support the relevant broadcast standards. According to a roadmap report by IIT Kanpur, existing devices might require additional receiver hardware, antennas, and other components to support D2M.

The industry has previously worked towards developing D2M-enabled phones in India. In 2025, HMD Global announced plans to collaborate on D2M phones with FreeStream Technologies and Tejas Networks, both associated with IIT Kanpur.

Will a SIM card or internet be required for D2M?
A mobile data connection will not be necessary. The government has described D2M as a broadcast technology that operates independently of SIM cards and mobile data. However, the phone must be D2M-compatible.

Will D2M replace Netflix or OTT platforms?
Not entirely.
OTT platforms provide on-demand content via the internet. The biggest advantage of D2M lies in broadcast content, where the same content can be delivered simultaneously to a vast number of people.

Therefore, rather than viewing D2M merely as a direct alternative to OTT, it is more accurate to regard it as a distinct content delivery system.

Has D2M launched in India yet?
It has not yet been launched as a commercial service for general users across the country. However, the project has moved beyond the trial and testing phase and is now in the stage of preparing for a commercial rollout.

Prasar Bharati is preparing to issue an RFP (Request for Proposal) for the commercial rollout of D2M in October 2026. This indicates progress in the process, though a definitive date for nationwide D2M availability has not yet been set.

D2M could emerge as a new method for delivering TV and video content in India. Its standout feature is that live broadcasts on compatible devices will not require mobile data or Wi-Fi. However, it would be incorrect to assume that this feature will work on every phone right away; it requires D2M-compatible hardware, broadcast infrastructure, and the completion of the commercial rollout process.