GatesAir Completes ATSC 3.0 Mobile Broadcasting Trial In India

GatesAir has announced the successful completion of a three-year Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) field trial in Delhi, carried out in partnership with Prasar Bharati and Tejas Networks.

The trial tested next-generation terrestrial broadcasting technology designed to deliver multimedia content directly to mobile and consumer devices using the ATSC 3.0 standard, without relying on internet connectivity.

The project combined GatesAir's Maxiva XTE ATSC 3.0 exciter with Tejas Networks' Broadcast Radio Head platform. The deployment used a hybrid transmission architecture integrating High Power High Tower (HPHT) systems with Low Power Low Tower (LPLT) Broadcast Radio Heads operating in Single Frequency Network mode.

According to the companies involved, the Delhi deployment is believed to be the world’s first hybrid HPHT/LPLT D2M network, providing outdoor and deep indoor coverage for devices including televisions, smartphones, tablets, laptops, set-top boxes and feature phones.

The D2M technology is designed to support the delivery of live video, audio, educational programming and emergency alerts while easing pressure on cellular and broadband networks. GatesAir said the trial also demonstrated that existing DVB-T2 infrastructure could be upgraded to ATSC 3.0 using a cost-effective exciter replacement approach.

"The success of the Delhi D2M field trial clearly demonstrates how ATSC 3.0 broadcasting can extend far beyond traditional television delivery," said Jacky Yee. "By combining the reliability and efficiency of over-the-air broadcasting with direct mobile reception, the project has validated a scalable approach for delivering multimedia content, educational services and emergency communications to millions of users — including populations in areas with limited internet connectivity. We are proud to collaborate with Prasar Bharati and Tejas Networks on this groundbreaking initiative."

The trial formed part of wider digital inclusion initiatives led by the Indian government through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and Tejas Networks.

GatesAir is set to discuss the project and related D2M deployment opportunities at BroadcastAsia 2026, taking place from May 20 to 22 in Singapore.

www.gatesair.com