India’s public goods infrastructure has earned international praise in recent years, an indication of a significant shift in the global technological landscape, one that may soon be led by India.
There’s much evidence that India may be leading the future of technology. For starters, one notable public infrastructure development is its mobile payments interface, which has significantly streamlined the process of transferring money across borders. The compatibility that other nations have established with India’s Unified Payments Interface serves as evidence that India’s payments infrastructure is working. But that’s not all. India is paving the way in an even more consequential area: mobile broadcasting.
An initial examination of the area of mobile broadcasting may make you believe that it isn’t of particular significance. However, diving deeper into the subject, one will come to realize just how significant leadership in this domain actually is. Mobile broadcasting comprises an exceptionally broad scope of critical areas. Numerous technologies rely on mobile broadcasting, technologies such as autonomous systems, communications between vehicles and drones, Internet of Things device integrations, enhanced cellular services, and e-Education.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated his government’s dedication to developing the technological capabilities of India. This commitment was demonstrated clearly during the announcement of the government’s budget on Feb. 1. In anticipation of the upcoming elections in India, the announcement called for plans for a multi-billion dollar technology fund that will be utilized to accelerate long-term research and development.
A major subject of discussion during a technology summit organized by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was direct-to-mobile (D2M) technology. The focal point of this summit was the development of India’s debut semiconductor chip intended for wireless applications, including broadcasting, cellular, and satellite communications. This plan, which is supported by the state broadcaster of the Indian government, has the capacity to revolutionize the manner in which content is consumed on mobile devices within the nation.
D2M technology allows for any content—even live television—to be broadcast without needing an internet connection. This technology not only enables mobile broadcasting accessibility for billions but it also possesses the capability to clear congestion from 5G networks, consequently enhancing the processing speed of devices connected to these networks. In addition, it reduces the expenses associated with data transmission and access while facilitating the implementation of a nationwide emergency alert system. Thirty-seven percent of the world’s population, or 3 billion people, lack internet access. Given this substantial number, it’s abundantly clear just how vital this technology and just how critical leadership in this area can be.
Mobile broadcasting serves a purpose beyond mere content dissemination improvement. On the contrary, it is itself a calculated maneuver in technological geopolitics. Mobile broadcasting possesses tremendous potential. With a population of more than 1 billion people, India has the potential to rapidly rise to the position of global leader in the broadcasting technology space by establishing a new global standard.
A pilot program has been initiated in which 19 cities in India will participate in the testing of D2M technologies. In 2023, preliminary programs began in Bengaluru, Kartavya Path, and Noida.
India is poised to start a paradigm shift in technological supremacy. Not only is it making substantial progress in the domain, but it’s also positioned to completely reshape the global technological paradigm through the utilization of its digital public goods infrastructure and leadership in deep technology advancements. The ramifications of this supremacy are far-reaching. Numerous critical facets of digital existence on a global scale have the capacity to be fundamentally transformed. As the entire world closely observes India’s preparations for this technological surge, it’s poised to witness a revolution in mobile video and beyond.
So where is the United States on this technology? The United States has actually been deploying a similar system for several years now, but unfortunately it’s primarily focused on legacy over-the-air television, a means of video consumption that has been quickly overtaken by streaming. Due to a lack of available spectrum in the United States and stifling regulation from the Federal Communications Commission, there isn’t nearly enough spectrum available to enable these advanced mobile and autonomous solutions. It’s a textbook case of a developing, faster-moving country with no legacy business models or sclerotic regulations leapfrogging the United States.
