TEC explores ‘Connectivity for All’ Vision through Deliberations on Direct-to-Device (D2D) Technologies
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), organized a technical workshop titled "The D2D Frontier: Technology, Global Precedence and Indian Context" at TEC headquarters, New Delhi.
The event brought together global experts, industry stakeholders (including AST Space Mobile and Vodafone Idea Limited), policymakers, and regulators to deliberate on Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite communication technologies.
Rudra Narayan Palai, Member (Technology), DoT, inaugurated the workshop and emphasized the government's vision of "Connectivity for All" through next-generation satellite-based solutions.
Key sessions covered: global trends in D2D and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), international deployment models, regulatory and spectrum considerations, and India-specific deployment challenges.
The workshop highlighted D2D's potential to work with existing 4G and 5G smartphones — unlike traditional satellite phones which require bulky specialised handsets.
The technology is positioned to complement terrestrial networks rather than replace them, creating a hybrid connectivity ecosystem particularly suited for disaster response, remote areas, and India's unconnected rural hinterlands.
Direct-to-Device (D2D) Satellite Technology — How It Works
D2D satellite communication is a paradigm shift: instead of relying on ground-based cell towers, satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) communicate directly with standard smartphones, eliminating the need for specialised hardware.
Key Details
- Traditional satellite phones (VSAT, Iridium-type) require large antennas and specialised handsets because geostationary (GEO) satellites orbit at ~36,000 km altitude — too far for standard smartphone radios.
- D2D leverages Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites at altitudes of 500–2,000 km, dramatically reducing signal path length and enabling communication with standard 4G/5G handsets.
- The 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) Release 17 (2022) introduced the New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks (NR-NTN) standard — the technical foundation enabling D2D with 5G-compatible devices.
- Companies pioneering commercial D2D: AST SpaceMobile, SpaceX (Starlink direct-to-cell), Apple (Emergency SOS via satellite), T-Mobile/SpaceX partnership.
- Services enabled: voice calls, SMS, messaging, emergency SOS, limited data — in areas with zero terrestrial coverage.
- NTN includes satellites at LEO, MEO (Medium Earth Orbit), and GEO, as well as High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) such as stratospheric drones and balloons.
TEC's workshop signals India's intent to develop a regulatory and standards framework for D2D before the technology arrives at scale. The participation of AST SpaceMobile — a leading commercial D2D provider — indicates active industry engagement with Indian policy processes.
India's Digital Divide and Connectivity Gaps
Despite impressive strides in telecom penetration, significant connectivity gaps persist in India — particularly in remote, tribal, hilly, and island territories where terrestrial infrastructure is economically unviable.
Key Details
- India has over 1.2 billion mobile subscribers (as of 2026), but meaningful internet access (broadband) remains concentrated in urban areas.
- The government's BharatNet programme aims to connect 2.5 lakh gram panchayats via optical fibre, but last-mile connectivity within villages and in difficult terrain remains a challenge.
- Approximately 55,000+ villages in India are still without reliable mobile coverage, primarily in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
- Satellite-based broadband (through VSAT and newer LEO constellations like Starlink, OneWeb/Eutelsat) has been licensed in India but requires specialised equipment and high subscription costs.
- D2D with existing smartphones would eliminate the equipment barrier entirely — making satellite connectivity accessible at the device level without any additional hardware investment.
TEC's exploration of D2D is directly aligned with India's "Connectivity for All" mission — using satellite technology to reach the approximately 55,000 uncovered villages and serve disaster-hit areas where terrestrial networks are temporarily non-functional.
India's Telecom Regulatory Framework — DoT and TEC
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) are the principal bodies shaping India's technical standards and policy for the telecom sector.
Key Details
- TEC (under DoT) is responsible for formulating technical standards, interface specifications, and generic requirements for telecom products and services in India.
- TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) handles tariff regulation, spectrum recommendations, and consumer protection — distinct from DoT's standard-setting role.
- India's National Telecom Policy 2018 and the updated National Broadband Mission set targets for universal high-speed connectivity.
- The Telecom Act, 2023 replaced the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the TRAI Act, 1997 amendments — introducing a modernized framework for satellite communications, spectrum authorization, and right-of-way.
- Spectrum for D2D/NTN services in India involves multiple bands (L-band, S-band, Ka-band) and requires coordination between DoT, ISRO, and TRAI.
The TEC workshop is a precursor to formal standard-setting and spectrum allocation decisions for D2D in India. By convening global experts and industry now, DoT is building the technical and regulatory foundation needed before licensing D2D services — a critical step in future-proofing India's telecom policy.
- Organizer: TEC (Telecommunication Engineering Centre), under DoT
- Workshop title: "The D2D Frontier: Technology, Global Precedence and Indian Context"
- Inaugurated by: Rudra Narayan Palai, Member (Technology), DoT
- Key industry participants: AST SpaceMobile, Vodafone Idea Limited
- Technology standard: 3GPP Release 17 (NR-NTN) enables D2D with existing 4G/5G smartphones
- LEO satellite altitude: 500–2,000 km (vs. GEO at ~36,000 km)
- D2D services: voice, SMS, messaging, emergency SOS, limited data
- India connectivity gap: ~55,000+ villages without reliable mobile coverage
- Policy framework: Telecom Act, 2023; National Broadband Mission; DoT "Connectivity for All" vision
- NTN components: LEO satellites, MEO satellites, GEO satellites, HAPS (stratospheric drones/balloons)