The government is actively exploring the possibility of bringing live TV channels directly to mobile phones, without the need for a data connection. This revolutionary concept, known as Direct-to-Mobile (D2M), aims to provide mobile users with the convenience of watching TV on their devices, just like traditional cable or DTH services.
To implement this technology, the government is engaging in discussions with various stakeholders, including telecom operators. However, some telecom companies may express concerns about potential impacts on their data revenue, according to sources cited in an ET report.
In an effort to address these concerns and foster collaboration, a crucial meeting has been scheduled for next week. The gathering will be attended by officials from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), IIT Kanpur, as well as representatives from the telecom and broadcast industries.
The government believes that convergence between broadcast and broadband content delivery is essential, particularly with the impending launch of 5G technology. As India has around 210-220 million households with access to TV, and nearly 800 million smartphone users (expected to reach 1 billion by 2026 as per Deloitte’s 2022 Global TMT report), the potential of D2M to revolutionize content consumption is enormous.
Moreover, the report highlights that over 80% of internet traffic comprises video content, making mobile devices an ideal platform for delivering broadcast TV content to a vast and growing audience.
If successfully implemented, D2M technology could bridge the gap between TV and mobile viewership, ushering in a new era of entertainment accessibility for millions of smartphone users across the country.
