Lava International Limited has announced its Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) feature phones, developed in collaboration with Tejas and Free Stream Technologies, which follows a similar announcement from HMD, representing a major shift in the feature phone market.
The D2M technology will be presented at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, following the completion of successful field trials.
Alignment with Make in India
Lava stated that the D2M feature phones support India’s Make in India initiative, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Using terrestrial TV broadcast airwaves, these phones will deliver live TV, OTT video, audio, and text messages, including content of public and national importance, without requiring internet or Wi-Fi.
Designed by Lava’s in-house R&D team and Tejas engineers (formerly Saankhya Labs), the D2M phone operates on the MediaTek MT6261 platform and integrates Saankhya’s SL3000 software-defined receiver chip. It will support live TV channels and emergency alerts without internet. The device features:
- 2.8-inch QVGA display
- UHF antenna for TV reception
- GSM for voice calls
- 2200mAh battery for extended use
Lava noted that its platform software integrates with Saankhya Labs’ SDK for seamless TV and tuner operations, ensuring a reliable user experience. The phone aims to provide information and entertainment to underserved communities, particularly in rural and low-income areas.
Lava’s Broader Feature Phone Portfolio
Lava holds a notable share in the feature phone market and supports India’s Viksit Bharat initiative. Its models, like the A1 Josh BOL with caller name announcements and message reading, A5 2025 with UPI payments, Action 4G with YouTube support, and A3 Torch with a powerful LED torch, include software-driven features such as BOL, UPI apps, and cloud services.
Availability
Pricing and availability details for the D2M feature phones have not been revealed yet, with further information expected to be showcased at the WAVES 2025 event, scheduled for May 1–4, 2025, at Jio World Centre, Mumbai.
Speaking about the initiative, Sanjeev Agarwal, Executive Director of Lava International Limited, mentioned,
As an Indian brand in the mobile and electronics sector, we have always collaborated with the Indian government on its developmental projects. With D2M technology, we can now reach users in remote areas without the need for internet access. This is a significant innovation that will improve safety and security for our citizens. I am grateful to our partners for their collaboration on this initiative. After the trials, we will begin large-scale production.
Commenting on the technology, Parag Naik, co-founder of the former Saankhya Labs and Executive Vice President at Tejas Networks, noted,
The phones are equipped with Saankhya Labs’ award-winning SL-3000 chipset, which serves as the key enabler for D2M technology. We have also developed the Core Network platform, which will support the delivery of targeted ads, CDN offload, educational content, emergency alerts, and other services, advancing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a Digitally Empowered India.