COAI Raises Concerns over Non-Inclusive and Incomplete Technical Evaluation of Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) Broadcasting

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has raised serious concerns over the manner in which recent technical tests relating to Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting have been conducted in the country, stating that the exercise does not align with the transparent, consultative and technology-neutral framework envisaged by the Government.

D2M broadcasting is a technology with far-reaching implications for spectrum utilisation, telecom networks, device ecosystems and consumer safety. Acknowledging its potential impact, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), during a stakeholder meeting held in September 2025, had 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 the stakeholder discussions that followed, submitting detailed technical inputs to ensure 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 that was conducted without the participation of telecom service providers, device ecosystem partners, or the prior sharing of the ToR used for the tests with all stakeholders.

Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, Director General, COAI, said, “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 questions around 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—significantly undermines the credibility of the conclusions drawn from such an exercise.

Limited Scope and Incomplete Assessment

The industry has further highlighted that the scope of the tests appears to be 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.

COAI has also pointed out that the test methodology does not adequately reflect India-specific spectrum allocations and deployment conditions, thereby limiting the relevance of the findings to real 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 maintained that any national-level assessment of D2M must be technology-neutral, enabling a fair and objective comparison of all viable options on parameters including coexistence with IMT/5G networks, scalability, device impact and long-term spectrum efficiency.

COAI cautioned that a selective evaluation of a single technology risks pre-empting outcomes and could lead to 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 carried out without the active involvement of telecom service providers and relevant regulators risks overlooking coexistence challenges, interference risks and long-term spectrum planning considerations that are 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, stakeholder-finalised Terms of Reference.
• Ensuring assessment of all relevant D2M technology options in a technology-neutral manner.
• Involving telecom operators, device manufacturers, chipset vendors, regulators and accredited laboratories at all stages of the evaluation.
• 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 emphasized that policy and regulatory decisions of this scale must be anchored in transparent, inclusive and technically rigorous processes, ensuring consumer safety, network integrity and the efficient use of national spectrum resources.