HMD, working alongside Free Stream Technologies (incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur) and other D2M partners, has announced plans to introduce Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) phones in India. The official announcement will be made at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, scheduled to take place at Jio World Centre, Mumbai.
What is Direct-to-Mobile Technology?
Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) is a next-generation broadcasting technology designed to deliver OTT content, live television, video, audio, and text messages straight to mobile phones without depending on Wi-Fi or internet services. HMD noted that D2M aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision and supports national initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Design in India’.
Key Features and Development
- D2M technology is set to power affordable feature phones, smartphones, and tablets, supported by Tejas Networks.
- Over several years, Prasar Bharati, in partnership with IIT Kanpur and Tejas Networks, has tested this technology under live network conditions to ensure its readiness.
Benefits for Consumers
Once introduced, D2M-enabled devices are expected to provide users with direct access to:
- Entertainment
- Sports broadcasts
- Educational content
- Emergency notifications
These services will be transmitted through terrestrial TV broadcast airwaves, without needing an active internet connection.
HMD’s Role in the Launch
HMD believes it is among the early manufacturers prepared to offer Direct-to-Mobile capability to consumers in India, following continuous development efforts and successful trials.
Ravi Kunwar, VP and CEO of HMD India and APAC, said:
At HMD, we have always focused on leading the innovation curve while delivering a superior consumer experience. With this approach at the heart of our mission, we are thrilled to be part of the Direct-to-Mobile journey. This groundbreaking and first-of-its-kind platform globally will enable consumers to access a wide range of multimedia content.
Sumeet Nindrajog, Director of FreeStream Technologies, noted:
D2M is a transformative technology that changes how content and data reach end users. The commitment from companies like HMD to help build a strong device ecosystem is vital to our nationwide deployment plans. Their ability to supply devices at scale shows strong confidence in the future success of D2M.
Parag Naik, co-founder of the former Saankhya Labs and Executive Vice President at Tejas Networks, stated:
The phones are powered by Saankhya Labs’ award-winning SL-3000 chipset, which serves as the key enabler for D2M. We have also developed the Core Network platform that will support delivery of targeted ads, CDN offloading, educational content, emergency alerts, and other applications — advancing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a digitally empowered India. Our collaboration with HMD has been truly remarkable, and we have great expectations from it.
Chris Ripley, President and CEO of Sinclair, Inc., shared:
The large-scale adoption of ATSC 3.0 in affordable mobile devices affirms Sinclair’s early leadership in promoting this broadcast standard as ‘mobile-first’ and our investment in technology built in India. As we work toward future 6G goals, we are driving the next phase — ‘Broadcast to Everything’ (B2X) — which will unlock next-generation broadcast applications across multiple sectors. We are proud to have partners like HMD supporting this initiative.