Telcos raise concerns over direct-to-mobile tech test

EVEN AS THE government is working on Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting, telcos have raised concerns about the manner in which the technical tests for the technology are being conducted, cautioning that gaps in testing and stakeholder participation could impact spectrum usage and network planning.

- OJASVI GUPTA

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing telecom operators like Bharti Airtel, Jio and Vodafone Idea, said on Monday the technical evaluation of D2M broadcasting is incomplete. Recent trials, it has argued, were conducted without the participation of telcos and key device ecosystem players, despite the technology having direct implications for existing and future mobile networks.