Mobile video streaming is one of the most popular and convenient ways of consuming multimedia content on smartphones and tablets. However, many users face issues such as poor network quality, buffering, low resolution, and limited data usage when watching videos online. These issues can be frustrating and affect the user experience.
To address these challenges, the central government of India is developing a home-grown technology called Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) that will enable mobile users to watch videos without an internet connection. D2M is a broadcasting technology that transmits signals from a source to a receiver via terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure and an assigned spectrum. The receiver can be any mobile device that supports D2M technology.
D2M works like an FM radio, where a station broadcasts audio signals on certain frequencies and a receiver picks them up. Similarly, D2M will broadcast video signals on the 470-582MHz band in India, which is reserved for this technology by the government. The video signals will be encoded in a standard format that can be decoded by any compatible device.
The benefits of D2M are manifold. First, it will provide high-quality video streaming without relying on internet connectivity or data plans. Users can watch live TV channels, movies, shows, news, sports, and other content anytime and anywhere without worrying about network issues or data charges. Second, it will reduce the congestion on 5G networks and improve their performance by shifting video traffic to D2M. This will also enable new applications such as immersive virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences that require high bandwidth and low latency. Third, it will enhance the security and privacy of users by preventing unauthorized access or interception of their video content.
The trials of D2M technology are currently underway in 19 cities across India to test its feasibility and effectiveness1. The government aims to launch D2M at a larger scale in the near future with more features such as hybrid broadcast (HBB), real-time (RTV), on-demand (ODV), interactive services (IS), etc1. HBB will allow users to switch between live TV channels and recorded programs; RTV will enable users to watch live events in real time; ODV will offer users personalized recommendations based on their preferences; IS will allow users to interact with each other or with the content creators through chat or voice.
D2M is expected to revolutionize the mobile video streaming industry in India by providing a seamless, reliable, secure, and affordable service for millions of users. It will also create new opportunities for content creators and distributors who can reach out to their target audience directly through D2M platforms. D2M is not just another technology but a game-changer for mobile video streaming.
