Can you imagine being able to watch live TV, news or other broadcast content even if you don’t have internet or mobile data on your phone? In India, Direct-to-Mobile i.e. D2M technology is working in this direction. However, this facility has not yet been launched for common smartphone users.
Prasar Bharti is preparing for its commercial rollout by September 2026 and it is expected to issue RFP for it in October.
What is D2M technology?
The full name of D2M is Direct-to-Mobile. In this, instead of mobile network or Wi-Fi, video, audio and data are transmitted directly to mobile devices that support D2M through terrestrial broadcast network.
According to the government, D2M does not depend on SIM card or mobile data. Along with entertainment, it can also be used to deliver education, news and emergency alerts.
In India, Prasar Bharati and IIT Kanpur have been working on this technology for a long time. IIT Kanpur has conducted several proof-of-concept and tests of D2M. Its trials were conducted in Delhi and Bengaluru in 2025, while testing and validation of the technology continued in 2026 also.
How will Live TV work without internet?
In D2M, content can be delivered to multiple devices simultaneously via a broadcast signal rather than being sent as a separate Internet stream to each user.
This is why if millions of people are watching a live match or news broadcast at the same time, there will be no need for a separate mobile data stream for each user. This is likely to reduce the pressure of video traffic on mobile networks.
What can be the benefits of D2M?
-Dependence on mobile data can be reduced
Live TV and other broadcast content can be delivered over broadcast networks instead of mobile data. This can help in reducing data load on mobile networks especially during big live events. However, it would not be right to say that this will increase the speed of 4G/5G ‘many fold’ or the problem of call drops will end.
-Help in Emergency Alert and Education
An important use of D2M can be during disaster or emergency. According to government information, through this technology, emergency messages, news and educational content can be delivered to mobile devices.
-Facility to watch content without mobile data
The biggest attraction of D2M is that mobile data connection will not be required to watch broadcast content on compatible devices. This does not mean that all types of online content will be free. Which content will be free and which will be paid, it will depend on the future commercial model.
Will it work on existing smartphones?
This is the biggest condition. Not every current smartphone supports D2M.
To receive D2M, the phone must have the necessary hardware and supported broadcast standards. According to the Roadmap report of IIT Kanpur, D2M support in existing devices may require separate receiver hardware, antenna and other components.
The industry has already worked towards producing D2M-enabled phones in India. In 2025, HMD Global had announced plans to work on D2M phones with IIT Kanpur-affiliated FreeStream Technologies and Tejas Networks.
Will SIM or Internet be required for D2M?
Mobile data connection will not be necessary. The government has also described D2M as a broadcast technology independent of SIM card and mobile data. However, the phone will need to be D2M-compatible.
Will D2M replace Netflix or OTT?
Not completely.
OTT platforms provide on-demand content through the Internet. The biggest advantage of D2M is in broadcast content, where the same content can be delivered to a large number of people simultaneously.
Therefore, instead of calling D2M a direct alternative to OTT, it would be better to see it as a separate content delivery system.
Has D2M started in India?
As of now, it has not been launched as a commercial service for general users across the country. But the project has now moved beyond trial and testing and has reached the stage of preparation for commercial rollout.
Prasar Bharati is preparing to issue RFP for commercial rollout of D2M in October 2026. This means that the process is moving forward, but the final date for when D2M will be available across the country should not be considered fixed yet.
D2M can become a new way of delivering TV and video content in India. Its biggest feature is that mobile data or Wi-Fi will not be required for live broadcast on compatible devices. But right now it is not right to consider it as a feature that works on every phone. For this, it is necessary to complete the process of D2M-compatible hardware, broadcast infrastructure and commercial rollout.
