Telcos push for D2M policy relook to ensure level-playing field

Telecom operators have sought a reassessment of the government’s draft policy around establishing direct-to-mobile (D2M) networks to ensure a level-playing field, and have warned of the possibility of regulatory arbitrage if such a policy is implemented hurriedly.

The government is exploring a proposal for D2M networks that will enable beaming of TV channels on mobiles without a cellular data connection. Telcos have been opposing any hasty decision as the technology is still immature.

“It’s crucial to ensure that any D2M service implementation aligns with national legal and technical standards and does not result in regulatory arbitrage in providing the content services on mobile handsets,” the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea , said in a statement Monday.


The telco industry body has called for a re-evaluation of aspects around level-playing field, spectrum allocation, network integration and regulatory /cost arbitrage. It added that the spectrum envisaged should be allocated to service providers to provide D2M broadcasts as per market requirements.

The government has earmarked the 526-582 MHz band in the sub-GHz spectrum for D2M networks, which is currently being used by Prasar Bharati.

“Building a dedicated D2M network by earmarking spectrum specifically for the broadcasting infrastructure providing competing/complimentary services would lead to breach of level
playing field,” COAI said.

The industry body has also sought clarification on the applicability of the D2M standards for currently available mobile phones, as none support the proposed standard.

The currently debated proposal is based on a proof-of-concept (PoC) undertaken by IIT-Kanpur to establish a roadmap for D2M. The institute had partnered with Saankhya Labs for all the hardware requirements including chipset, radio etc. IIT-Kanpur also released a white paper on the subject along with its recommendations.

To be sure, the government is yet to take a call on the issue as there is little clarity.

ET had reported in its August 5 edition that a proposal for D2M networks was being explored as the government felt there should be convergence for delivering content through broadcast and broadband, particularly with the launch of 5G services. The Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC), the DoT’s technical wing, is evaluating the adoption of ATSC 3.0 standard into national standards, which will allow broadcasting of TV channels and content on mobile phones, similar to broadcasting on TV.

As per its submission to TEC, the telcos had earlier highlighted that ATSC 3.0 had not gained much adoption globally. Besides, 3GPP, which globally develops standards for mobile telecommunications, has already included broadcast features in its release 17 for 5G broadcast.

Telcos also believe that all video content in broadcasting is already available on mobile, so TV content on mobile won’t be a big consumer demand driver.

Smartphone makers too have said that since a mobile device is designed for the global market based on 3GPP standards, it will be impossible to have space in the device itself to introduce new telecom generations of services like 5G, 6G, Satellite, etc. if manufacturers need to support legacy technologies indefinitely.