Lava and HMD’s D2M Phones Are Coming: Stream Live TV Without Internet, Here’s How It Works

Streaming live TV, videos, and receiving critical alerts without using the internet might soon become a common experience in India. HMD and Lava International are gearing up to launch India's first Direct-to-Mobile (D2M)-enabled phones at the upcoming World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, which kicks off on May 1 at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai.

Both companies have announced collaborations with a set of key technology partners - FreeStream Technologies, Tejas Networks, and Sinclair Inc. - aiming to drive D2M technology into everyday devices across India.

What Is D2M Technology?

Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) is a next-generation broadcasting system designed to deliver live TV, OTT content, audio, and emergency messages directly to mobile phones, without requiring Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Instead of using telecom networks like 4G or 5G, D2M uses terrestrial TV broadcast signals in the 470-582 MHz spectrum to transmit content. It works similarly to how FM radio reaches your phone - but upgraded for video, live streams, and alerts.

The potential impact is significant:

• Reduces network congestion by offloading video traffic from mobile data channels.

• Extends content access to rural and underserved areas where internet penetration is low.

• Supports emergency communication through direct alerts without depending on the internet.

According to India's Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra, D2M could shift 25% to 30% of video traffic off mobile networks, making 5G services more efficient.

Early field trials conducted in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru have been described as "reasonably successful," and large-scale field testing is expected to begin soon.

If you're curious about the full workings of D2M, we've explained it in detail in a separate post.

What Lava and HMD Are Bringing to the Table

Both Lava and HMD are taking slightly different approaches to D2M, but they're united by the same goal: bringing affordable broadcast-connected devices to a wider audience.

Lava's D2M Feature Phone

Lava's upcoming feature phone has been developed by its in-house R&D team in collaboration with Tejas Networks (formerly Saankhya Labs). The phone will include:

• Display: 2.8-inch QVGA screen

• Processor: MediaTek MT6261 SoC

• Receiver: Integrated SL3000 chip by Saankhya Labs

• Connectivity: GSM network for calls

• Battery: 2,200mAh

• Antenna: Dedicated UHF antenna for TV broadcast reception

• Charging: Micro-USB port

Lava's device is positioned primarily for users who prioritize affordability and offline access to information and entertainment, aligning with India's Make in India and Design in India initiatives.

HMD's D2M Plans

HMD - known for reviving Nokia-branded phones - is preparing to launch a range of D2M-enabled devices, including feature phones, smartphones, and tablets.

The company will use Saankhya Labs' SL-3000 chipset across its D2M lineup, with added functionality enabled by a Core Network platform for targeted advertisements, CDN offloading, educational content delivery, and real-time emergency alerts

Interestingly, HMD's collaboration with Sinclair Inc. could eventually bring ATSC 3.0-based capabilities to Indian devices.

Sinclair, an American telecommunications player, is also working on future B2X (Broadcast to Everything) technology, aimed at addressing 6G-era needs - although that's still a few years away.

How Affordable Will D2M Devices Be?

Integrating D2M functionality does add to manufacturing costs.

Initially, the D2M chipset can raise device prices by around ₹2,500 per unit (via). However, industry leaders, including Saankhya Labs' CEO Parag Naik, predict that mass production could bring that cost down to just ₹120-₹200 per device.

This price drop will be crucial if D2M technology is to scale beyond niche devices and into more mainstream markets, including affordable smartphones.

Currently, there's no government mandate requiring smartphones to support D2M - adoption will be consumer-driven based on perceived benefits like offline streaming and improved access to free content.

What's Next?

The real test for D2M will begin after large-scale field trials in India start later this year.

If successful, the technology could fundamentally change how millions of Indians - particularly those in rural and remote areas - access entertainment, education, and vital information.