The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has strongly criticized the recent technical evaluation of Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting technology, commissioned by public broadcaster Prasar Bharati. The industry body, representing major telecom operators, has raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency and the exclusion of key stakeholders like telecom service providers and mobile device manufacturers from the testing process.
What is the D2M Technology Test?
Direct-to-Mobile broadcast is a promising technology that aims to enable the direct transmission of live television channels to mobile phones without requiring an active cellular or internet connection. In a significant move back in 2019, Prasar Bharati signed an agreement with IIT Kanpur to investigate potential technical issues.
The primary goals were to verify concerns about possible interference between D2M broadcasts and existing telecom services, and to check if the technology caused excessive heating in mobile devices. The actual tests were carried out through the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), with authorized partner Aracion Technology, involving Tata Group's Tejas Networks and a prototype D2M smartphone.
The findings from this evaluation, published in November 2025, reportedly refuted the initial concerns about interference and device heating. However, the manner in which these tests were conducted has become the central point of controversy.
Core Concerns Raised by the Telecom Industry
COAI's primary objection is that the entire technical assessment was done without the participation of the very industries it would impact most: telecom operators and mobile device makers. The industry body stated that the process lacked the transparent, consultative, and technology-neutral framework promised by the government.
SP Kochhar, the Director General of COAI, emphasized that D2M broadcasting has profound implications for national spectrum planning, network integrity, device ecosystems, and even consumer safety. He argued that any national-level evaluation of such a transformative technology must be inclusive and grounded in comprehensive technical assessments.
A major point of contention is the test's alleged narrow focus on only one specific D2M technology standard. COAI claims that other viable and globally relevant solutions, including cellular-based broadcast technologies, were not evaluated for comparison. This, they argue, violates the principle of technology neutrality.
Spectrum and Procedural Fairness at Stake
Telecom operators have consistently warned that D2M broadcasting could have direct consequences for the spectrum bands identified for current and future 5G services. They fear that an assessment conducted without their expertise risks overlooking critical coexistence challenges, interference risks, and long-term spectrum planning needs.
COAI revealed that while it actively participated in subsequent stakeholder discussions convened by the government and submitted detailed technical inputs, the industry was blindsided by the publication of the test report. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the tests were not shared with all stakeholders beforehand, further eroding trust in the process.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had earlier, in a September 2025 meeting, directed that a comprehensive technical evaluation of D2M be undertaken with clearly defined ToR and the participation of all relevant stakeholders.
What COAI is Demanding Now
In light of these issues, the telecom industry body has called for a complete re-do of the technical evaluation. Their demands include:
- Re-conducting the tests with a comprehensive Terms of Reference finalized in consultation with all stakeholders.
- Ensuring the evaluation covers all relevant D2M technology options in a genuinely technology-neutral manner.
- Involving telecom operators, device manufacturers, chipset vendors, regulators, and accredited labs at every stage of the process.
- Initiating a structured public consultation through the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
- Developing standards and performance benchmarks through an open, consultative process led by the state-owned Telecommunications Engineering Centre.
The industry's stance is clear: policy decisions of this magnitude, which could reshape India's connectivity landscape, must be based on credible, inclusive, and holistic technical assessments. As of now, a query sent to Prasar Bharati regarding these allegations has not received an immediate reply.
