New ATSC 3.0 D2M Phones Receive Praise from Sinclair Broadcast Group
Scoop: India and the US Prep for NextGen TV on Cell Phones with Direct-to-Mobile Technology
In an exciting development that may revolutionize the broadcasting landscape, FreeStream Technologies, Lava International, and HMD are unveiling plans for Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) smartphones in India, ahead of large-scale field trials.
D2M, rooted in ATSC 3.0 D2M, utilizes terrestrial TV broadcast airwaves to deliver live TV, videos, audio, text messages, entertainment, sports, educational programs, and emergency alerts directly to phones without requiring Wi-Fi or internet service. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to catapult the large Indian market, with its 1.05 billion cellphone users, into the NextGen TV era.
D2M technology is built upon ATSC 3.0, a modernized digital TV standard that harnesses orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) for high bandwidth efficiency, flexible modulation, and robust error correction, providing top-tier audio and video transmission quality over terrestrial broadcasts[1]. Using this advanced technology, D2M converts over-the-air (OTA) ATSC 3.0 broadcast signals intoHTTP Live Streaming (HLS) feeds, enabling compatibility with a broader range of devices, including affordable smartphones[2][3].
Sinclair President and CEO Chris Ripley expressed his optimism about the technology, stating, "Large-scale adoption of ATSC 3.0 in affordable mobile devices vindicates Sinclair's strategy of leading the US and global deployment of this broadcast standard as 'mobile first' and investing in Indian technology. To meet future 6G goals, we are spearheading the next release of the standard 'Broadcast to Everything' (B2X), which will unleash next-generation broadcast applications for numerous verticals."
Lava International and HMD are spearheading the groundwork for a viable D2M device ecosystem in India, with their commitment to mass production. According to Sumeet Nindrajog, director of FreeStream Technologies, "We are thrilled that Lava and HMD are making the necessary steps to rapidly establish a viable device ecosystem for a nationwide deployment roadmap. Their readiness to supply in scale is a positive sign for the future success of D2M."
Incubated at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK), FreeStream Technologies Pvt. Ltd. focuses on developing, deploying, and managing nationwide network infrastructure for cutting-edge Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcast technology and related platform services.
Stay tuned for more updates as the rollout approaches. This revolutionary technology may usher in an era of affordable NextGen TV, reshaping the cellphone market in both India and the U.S.
- The upcoming Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) smartphones in India, supported by FreeStream Technologies, Lava International, and HMD, could potentially transform the broadcasting landscape.
- D2M leverages ATSC 3.0 D2M, employing ATSC 3.0's advanced technology for high-quality audio and video transmission via terrestrial TV broadcasts.
- The FCC, which oversees broadcasting in the U.S., will scrutinize D2M technology as it aims to promote NextGen TV, marking a shift from traditional broadcasting methods.
- Broadcasters are hopeful about D2M's potential, with Sinclair President and CEO Chris Ripley expressing optimism for its large-scale adoption and future 'Broadcast to Everything' (B2X) release.
- Lava International and HMD are working towards establishing a viable D2M device ecosystem, paving the way for the technology's nationwide deployment in India.
- FreeStream Technologies, based at the Indian Institute of Technology (IITK), is at the forefront of developing the infrastructure for D2M broadcast technology, positioning it to revolutionize the cellphone market.
- The NAB Show, a premier event for the broadcasting and media industry, will likely showcase D2M gadgets and smartphones as the technology nears commercialization, reshaping the market in both India and the U.S.
