(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India is making waves at the IBC 2025 conference in Amsterdam, showcasing its homegrown innovation in broadcasting technology. The event, running from September 12 to 15, draws global leaders in media, entertainment, and tech to discuss the future of broadcast media. Right now, the spotlight is on delivering broadcast signals straight to mobile phones and other devices, and India’s Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) tech is leading the charge.
Indian engineers have developed an indigenous semiconductor chip for D2M broadcasting that’s already market-ready. It works seamlessly with a variety of devices, from smartphones to feature phones. This breakthrough has caught the attention of international markets, including Brazil, where officials are eyeing ATSC 3.0 standards over 5G Broadcast for next-gen TV services. Experts say this opens doors for exciting interactive apps in both India and Brazil.
Adrian Murtaza, Chief Development Manager at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, praised the Indian D2M chips. “The strong ecosystem of chipsets from India makes advanced broadcasting possible on everyday mobile devices,” he noted in a recent press release. This positions India ahead in the global race for D2M broadcasting solutions.
On the flip side, 5G Broadcast from tech giant Qualcomm faces a big delay. During a panel discussion at the IEEE Future Media Townhall, titled “5G Broadcast: Ready for Launch,” Qualcomm’s Aytac Biber revealed that their 5G Broadcast feature won’t hit devices until early 2028. It won’t come as a standalone chip, and existing gadgets won’t get an upgrade—only new releases will support it. At first, it’ll target premium smartphones and fixed wireless devices, with mid-range and budget phones waiting even longer.
This timeline has huge implications for India, where D2M has already undergone proof-of-concept tests and field trials using local chips. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Communications Technology recently pushed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to fast-track D2M policies. In a July 24 report to the Lok Sabha, the committee highlighted an MoU between Prasar Bharati and IIT Kanpur for advancing D2M and other broadcast tech.
Arvind Vohra, an independent expert and former head of Gionee, sees D2M as a golden opportunity to boost India’s semiconductor ecosystem. With over 200 million feature phone users in the country—many from underserved communities—D2M could deliver affordable access to broadcasts right away. “It’s a low-hanging fruit to fulfill PM Narendra Modi’s vision for indigenous semiconductors,” Vohra said. Device makers like Lava, HMD Nokia, and Khushtech Korea are on board, with commitments to integrate D2M.
Progress is already happening. Global chip leader Intel has shown D2M integration in its AI PC laptops, and Khushtech Korea just got BIS certification for a D2M-enabled feature phone. Vohra argues that 5G Broadcast isn’t practical for India due to the three-year wait, no standalone chips, and its initial focus on high-end devices. D2M, however, is designed to be inclusive, supporting everything from feature phones and tablets to laptops, dongles, set-top boxes, and home gateways.
By embracing D2M now, India can meet its Viksit Bharat goals, ensuring the semiconductor revolution benefits everyone—from rural users to urban tech enthusiasts—and taps into global demand in places like Brazil and the USA. As the IBC 2025 wraps up, India’s D2M story proves that homegrown innovation is ready to broadcast success worldwide.
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