COAI has expressed serious concerns regarding the manner in which recent technical tests related to Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting have been conducted in India, stating that the process falls short of the transparent, consultative and technology-neutral framework as envisaged by the Government.
D2M broadcasting is a technology with far-reaching implications for spectrum usage, telecom networks, device ecosystems and consumer safety. Recognising its potential impact, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had, during a stakeholder meeting held in September 2025, directed that a comprehensive technical evaluation of D2M be undertaken with clearly defined Terms of Reference (ToR), participation of all relevant stakeholders and inclusion of all parallel technology options.
COAI and its member operators actively participated in stakeholder discussions convened thereafter, submitting detailed technical inputs with the objective of ensuring a holistic, credible and India-specific evaluation of D2M. However, the telecom industry was taken by surprise by the subsequent publication of a technical test report conducted without the participation of telecom service providers, device ecosystem partners and without sharing the ToR used for this technical test with all stakeholders prior to the conduct of the tests.
Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, Director General, COAI stated, “Direct-to-Mobile broadcasting has far-reaching implications for spectrum, networks, devices and consumer safety. Any national-level technical evaluation of such a technology must be transparent, inclusive and technology-neutral, with active participation of all affected stakeholders. COAI firmly believes that policy decisions of this magnitude must be grounded in comprehensive, technical assessments to safeguard network integrity, efficient spectrum use and long-term digital growth”.
Concerns on Transparency and Process
COAI has noted that the approach adopted in conducting the recent D2M tests raises serious concerns regarding transparency, procedural fairness and objectivity. The absence of stakeholder participation — particularly telecom operators, whose networks and spectrum resources are directly impacted, as well as device OEMs — undermines the credibility of conclusions drawn from such an exercise.
Limited Scope and Incomplete Assessment
The industry has further highlighted that the scope of the tests appears narrowly confined to a limited set of parameters, such as interference and device heating, while excluding several critical technical and ecosystem-related aspects. These include device certification requirements, electromagnetic field (EMF) compliance, regulatory and licensing implications, real-world usage scenarios, and the readiness of the device and chipset ecosystem.
Additionally, COAI has pointed out that the test methodology does not fully reflect India-specific spectrum allocations and deployment conditions, thereby limiting the relevance of the findings to actual operational networks in the country.
Absence of Technology Neutrality
A key concern raised by COAI is that the evaluation focused on only one technology standard, without assessing other comparable and globally relevant solutions such as cellular-based broadcast technologies. The industry has consistently emphasised that any national-level assessment of D2M must be technology-neutral, allowing for a fair and objective comparison of all viable options on parameters such as coexistence with IMT/5G networks, scalability, device impact and long-term spectrum efficiency.
COAI cautions that selective evaluation of a single technology risks pre-empting outcomes and may have avoidable and unintended consequences for India’s digital and telecom ecosystem.
Impact on Telecom Networks and Spectrum Planning
The telecom industry has reiterated that D2M broadcasting has direct implications for spectrum bands identified for existing and future IMT/5G use. Any assessment undertaken without the active involvement of telecom service providers and relevant regulators risks overlooking coexistence challenges, interference risks and long-term spectrum planning considerations critical to India’s connectivity roadmap.
COAI’s Suggested Way Forward
COAI has urged the Government to realign the D2M evaluation process with the principles articulated during the September 2025 stakeholder meeting by:
- Re-conducting the technical evaluation with a comprehensive and stakeholder-finalised Terms of Reference.
- Ensuring evaluation of all relevant D2M technology options in a technology-neutral manner.
- Involving telecom operators, device manufacturers, chipset vendors, regulators and accredited laboratories across all stages of the evaluation process.
- Undertaking a structured public consultation under the aegis of DoT/TRAI.
- Developing standards, KPIs and performance benchmarks through an open consultative process led by TEC.
Reaffirming its commitment to supporting innovation in broadcasting and digital services, COAI emphasizes that policy and regulatory decisions of this magnitude must be grounded in transparent, inclusive and technically rigorous processes, ensuring consumer safety, network integrity and efficient use of national spectrum resources.
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