On Monday, HMD Global announced its plans to launch Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) phones in partnership with FreeStream Technologies and other D2M collaborators. This announcement comes ahead of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, which is scheduled to start on May 1. Additionally, Lava International, an Indian original equipment manufacturer, is preparing to roll out D2M feature phones within the Indian market. The company has hinted at some of the key features of its latest handset. Field trials for the D2M technology are set to commence in India shortly.
HMD and Lava Join Forces with FreeStream, Sinclair, and Tejas Networks
According to a press release from HMD, the launch of D2M phones in India will occur during WAVES 2025 at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai, in collaboration with FreeStream Technologies, Tejas Networks, and Sinclair.
Lava disclosed that its feature phone, developed by its in-house research and development team and Tejas Networks, will utilize the MediaTek MT6261 system-on-chip and an integrated SL3000 chip from Saankhya. The device will feature a 2.8-inch QVGA display, GSM capability for voice communications, a UHF antenna for television reception, and a 2,200mAh battery.
D2M is described as a next-generation broadcasting technology that provides over-the-top content, live television, audio, video, and text messaging directly to mobile devices, without the need for Wi-Fi or internet access. This collaboration aims to align with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Design in India’ initiatives, with extensive field trials slated to begin soon.
In addition, HMD indicated that the forthcoming devices will encompass low-cost feature phones, smartphones, and tablets, all powered by Tejas Networks. The technology has reportedly undergone extensive testing in live networks, in conjunction with Prasar Bharati and IIT Kanpur.
Tejas Networks Executive Vice President Parag Naik noted that the new HMD D2M phones will incorporate the Saankhya Labs SL-3000 chipset, and will feature a core network platform designed for targeted advertising, content delivery network offload, educational materials, emergency alerts, and more.
Sinclair Inc., an American telecommunications company, mentioned that the new phones will include ATSC 3.0 technology, recognized as the upcoming standard for digital terrestrial television broadcasting. The firm is reportedly developing the next iteration of this technology, referred to as Broadcast to Everything (B2X), with an emphasis on requirements for future 6G networks.
