Govt mulls JV between Prasar Bharti and private players for direct-to-mobile services

With viewership shifting to cell and OTT platforms, the federal government is trying to create a coverage framework for constructing a broadcast stack that can allow the transmission of channels and video content material on to cellphones utilizing terrestrial TV towers. 

In line with sources, one of many choices being thought of to handle and function the proposed community is by forming a three way partnership between Prasar Bharati and personal sector gamers, together with telecom operators, OTT platforms and content material builders. As soon as this stack is ready up, all authorities and public service channels which might be at the moment out there on Doordarshan’s TV channels, for instance, might be out there on cellphones. 

“There’s additionally dialogue on auctioning out channels on this broadcast stack to personal sector gamers so even platforms akin to Netflix can use this route as an alternative of the OTT platform,” mentioned a prime supply. 

Additionally learn: Demand for an affordable ‘utilization charge’ from OTT gamers in the direction of community use is ‘honest’: COAI

Two advantages

The proposed community could have two advantages. First, it’ll release broadband spectrum for mission-critical purposes. Presently, greater than 80 per cent of broadband capability is being utilised by video streaming companies. Secondly, it’ll give a brand new lease of life for Prasar Bharti’s terrestrial community of TV towers which is underutilised with solely Doordarshan channels. 

Sources added that Prasar Bharati has accomplished a proof-of-concept discipline trial in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, and a report compiling the findings of the sector trial and the potential enterprise case for ‘Direct to Cell ‘ (D2M) companies has been submitted. 

The first motive of growing a D2M broadcasting platform is within the “supply of broadcast content material of public and nationwide significance on to cellphones, smartphones and different new era units,” as per paperwork seen by businessline. Due to this fact, the Centre seeks to “guarantee strategic independence to the Indian republic,” for state-owned broadcast. 

Additionally learn: Solely 10% of Indian OTT viewers reside in metros: Ormax Report

Open broadcast stack

Nonetheless, the federal government can also be envisaging creating an open broadcast stack on the strains of the UPI stack which is able to permit for the expansion of content material ecosystems to deploy and distribute native video and OTT content material with out vital investments. A viable D2M ecosystem may also guarantee independence from mobile networks throughout disasters and crises to “cater to emergency wants in public or nationwide pursuits,” as per sources..

“The federal government is probably going leaning in the direction of a public-private partnership to develop this D2M stack. The instructed guiding ideas to develop this know-how embrace an industry-led consortium, the place the Centre plans to ask cross-industry partnerships from telecom networks, academia and startups. Prasar Bharati will, nonetheless, have the general accountability for the entire operation,” sources mentioned.

Spectral frequencies between 526-582 MHz might be probably allotted for the D2M companies. The service is more likely to be made out there in 19 cities initially.