Business EconomyPosted at: Jan 5 2026 6:50PM


COAI calls for transparent, technology-neutral review of D2M broadcasting

New Delhi, Jan 5 (UNI) The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) on Monday raised concerns over the credibility and inclusiveness of recent technical tests conducted for Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting, saying the exercise lacked transparency and stakeholder participation.
COAI said the tests were carried out without the involvement of telecom service providers and device ecosystem partners, despite earlier directions from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to conduct a comprehensive and consultative evaluation.
The association added that the Terms of Reference for the tests were not shared with stakeholders.
Highlighting the impact of D2M on spectrum planning, telecom networks, and consumer safety, COAI called for a fresh, technology-neutral evaluation involving all relevant stakeholders.
Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, Director General, COAI, stated, "Direct-to-Mobile broadcasting has far-reaching implications for spectrum, networks, devices, and consumer safety.
Any national-level technical evaluation of such a technology must be transparent, inclusive, and technology-neutral, with active participation of all affected stakeholders.
COAI firmly believes that policy decisions of this magnitude must be grounded in comprehensive, technical assessments to safeguard network integrity, efficient spectrum use, and long-term digital growth.
COAI also highlighted concerns over the limited scope of the tests, which it said focused narrowly on parameters such as interference and device heating, while excluding critical aspects, including device certification, electromagnetic field (EMF) compliance, regulatory and licensing implications, real-world usage scenarios, and the readiness of the device and chipset ecosystem.
The association further pointed out that the test methodology did not adequately reflect India-specific spectrum allocations and deployment conditions, thereby limiting the relevance of the findings for operational telecom networks.
Another key concern raised by COAI was the absence of technology neutrality in the evaluation. The association said that only one technology standard was assessed, without examining other globally relevant solutions such as cellular-based broadcast technologies.
COAI cautioned that selective evaluation could lead to unintended consequences for India's digital and telecom ecosystem.
Reiterating that D2M broadcasting has direct implications for spectrum bands earmarked for existing and future IMT/5G services, COAI warned that evaluations conducted without active involvement of telecom operators and regulators risk overlooking coexistence challenges and long-term spectrum planning considerations.
As a way forward, COAI has urged the Government to re-conduct the technical evaluation with stakeholder-finalised Terms of Reference, ensure technology-neutral assessment of all viable options, involve all relevant stakeholders, and undertake a structured public consultation under the aegis of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The association also called for the development of standards and performance benchmarks through an open consultative process led by the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC).
COAI reaffirmed its support for innovation in broadcasting and digital services, while emphasising that policy and regulatory decisions must be based on transparent, inclusive, and technically rigorous processes to ensure consumer safety, network integrity, and efficient use of national spectrum resources.
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Tags: #COAI calls for transparent# technology-neutral review of D2M broadcasting
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