D2M: TV will work even on a Rs. 2000 phone without internet or data pack! Find out how the D2M service will change the game?
Imagine you're traveling on a train or in a remote village with no network coverage, yet you're still watching movies and live matches in uninterrupted HD quality on your phone. This isn't magic; it's about to become a reality in India. This new technology is called D2M, or Direct-to-Mobile. So let's find out what this technology is and how you'll be able to watch videos without the internet.
What is D2M Technology, and why is it special?
D2M technology works exactly like FM radio on your phone. You don't need the internet for radio because the phone receives the signal directly from the tower. Similarly, with D2M, video content will reach your mobile directly from a satellite or broadcast tower. You won't need to spend a single byte of your mobile data for this.
A boon for feature phone users
The biggest advantage of D2M is that it won't be limited to expensive smartphones; this technology will also work on very affordable feature phones. Around 200 million people in India still use keypad or feature phones, for whom this is nothing short of a digital revolution. Now, they too will be able to watch live TV and news without the internet.
Which companies are preparing for this?
Mobile companies like Lava and HMD are working on feature phones with D2M support. Their estimated price could be between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 2,500. These phones will use the SL-3000 chipset, developed by Saankhya Labs, a Tata Group company. Saankhya Labs has already merged with Tejas Networks, the telecommunications company of the Tata Group. The D2M signal will be broadcast on a special 470-608 MHz band. For this, companies will have to provide a special antenna-receiver in the phones. What content will be available initially?
Initially, the D2M platform will showcase content from Prasar Bharati. This means that channels associated with Doordarshan and All India Radio will be the first to be available on this service. There are plans to extend this service to smartphones in the future.
Where have trials been conducted?
D2M trials have already been completed in Delhi and Bengaluru. Further tests will be conducted in approximately 36 cities across the country in the next 6 to 9 months. If successful, it can be implemented throughout India. According to reports, setting up a D2M network across the country could cost around Rs 8,000 crore. However, telecom companies are not very enthusiastic about this technology, as it could impact their data pack business.
What did the IIT Kanpur report say?
In a report released in 2022, IIT Kanpur described D2M as a future necessity for India. According to the report, it will be possible to provide TV, radio, and digital services through a single network. However, existing phones do not have the necessary hardware for this, so a new design and a special antenna-receiver will be required.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
