HMD and Lava to Launch Direct-to-Mobile Phones in Partnership With Tejas Networks and FreeStream

D2M Technology to Bring Live TV and OTT Directly to Phones Without Internet

HMD Global and Lava International announced plans to launch Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) phones in collaboration with FreeStream Technologies, Tejas Networks, and Sinclair, just ahead of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025. The event, set to begin on May 1 at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai, will mark a significant step in deploying next-generation broadcasting technology in India.

What is Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) Technology?

D2M technology enables the delivery of OTT content, live TV, video, audio, and text messages directly to mobile devices without requiring Wi-Fi or internet connectivity. The initiative is closely aligned with India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Design in India’ programs, aiming to boost domestic innovation and manufacturing.

Extensive field testing of D2M technology has already been conducted on live networks by Prasar Bharati, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and Tejas Networks, and larger-scale trials are expected to begin shortly.

Details of Upcoming Devices and Key Partnerships

HMD’s upcoming D2M devices will include low-cost feature phones, smartphones, and tablets, all powered by Tejas Networks. These products will integrate Saankhya Labs’ SL-3000 chipsets and a Core Network platform designed to support targeted advertising, CDN offloading, educational content distribution, emergency alerts, and more.

Sinclair Inc., a leading American telecommunications company, confirmed that the new D2M phones would utilize ATSC 3.0 technology, the latest digital terrestrial television broadcast standard. Sinclair is also developing the next evolution, Broadcast to Everything (B2X) technology, aiming to cater to future 6G broadcasting needs.

Meanwhile, Lava’s R&D team, in collaboration with Tejas Networks, has developed a feature phone powered by a MediaTek MT6261 SoC, integrated with the SL3000 chip. The device will feature a 2.8-inch QVGA display, a UHF antenna for TV reception, GSM voice call support, and a 2,200mAh battery.

A Major Leap for Connectivity in India

This collaboration is expected to redefine mobile content consumption in India by offering uninterrupted broadcast services without dependence on traditional internet infrastructure. The first D2M-enabled devices from HMD and Lava are anticipated to play a pivotal role in digital accessibility, especially in regions with limited internet access.