The Indian government has launched a new initiative urging private telecom companies to incorporate domestically manufactured equipment into their networks. This move aims to promote the use of home-grown telecom infrastructure, potentially boosting the country's telecommunications industry and reducing dependence on foreign technology.

Domestic Focus

In a significant push towards self-reliance in the telecom sector, the Indian government is encouraging private telecom operators to prioritize domestically produced equipment. This initiative aligns with the country's broader goals of fostering local innovation and manufacturing capabilities in critical technology sectors.

Tejas Networks: A Key Player

Tejas Networks , an Indian telecommunications equipment manufacturer, has been highlighted in this context as a domestic equipment provider. The company specializes in optical, broadband, and data networking products.

Implications for the Telecom Industry

This move could have far-reaching implications for both domestic manufacturers and telecom operators:

1. Boost for Local Manufacturers: Companies like Tejas Networks may see increased demand for their products, potentially leading to growth in the domestic telecom equipment manufacturing sector.

2. Challenges for Telecom Operators: Private telecom companies may need to reassess their supply chains and equipment sourcing strategies to align with the government's push for domestic equipment.

3. Technology and Quality Considerations: As the industry shifts towards domestic equipment, ensuring that the locally manufactured products meet international standards and technological requirements will be crucial.

4. Economic Impact: Increased use of domestically manufactured equipment could contribute to job creation and economic growth in the Indian technology sector.

The government's initiative represents a significant step towards creating a more self-reliant telecom ecosystem in India. As this policy unfolds, it will be important to monitor its impact on the industry landscape, particularly for companies that are positioned at the intersection of government policy and market demand.

In a groundbreaking development for India's telecommunications sector, KhushTech Korea has introduced the world's first Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) feature phone under the FreeStream brand. This innovative device, powered by Tejas Networks ' SL-3000 D2M demodulator chip, marks a significant milestone in mobile technology and content delivery.

Revolutionary Technology

The FreeStream D2M feature phone operates in the 470-608 MHz broadcast bands, utilizing terrestrial TV broadcast airwaves to deliver multimedia content directly to phones without the need for Wi-Fi or internet service. This technology leverages the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard, which has been under testing by Prasar Bharati in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and Tejas Networks.

Key Features and Applications

• Direct Content Delivery: The phone can receive live TV, video, audio, data, and text messages of public and national importance directly through broadcast signals.
• Rural Education Focus: Positioned as a low-cost solution for educational content delivery in rural areas.
• Emergency Communications: Capable of delivering emergency alerts without relying on traditional internet infrastructure.
• Cost-Effective: Designed to be an affordable option for millions of users in India and globally.

Strategic Partnerships and Development

The development of this groundbreaking device is the result of collaboration between several key players:

• KhushTech Korea: Led by CEO Eric Shin, the company has successfully developed the world's first D2M Feature Phone.
• Tejas Networks: Provided the crucial SL-3000 D2M demodulator chip and developed infrastructure hardware and software for D2M deployment.
• FreeStream Technologies: An IIT Kanpur incubated company focusing on D2M technology and platform services.
• Sinclair Inc.: Collaborating on the next release of the ATSC 3.0 standard, dubbed "Broadcast to Everything" (B2X).

Future Prospects and 'Make in India' Initiative

During a demonstration to Andhra Pradesh's IT Minister, KhushTech's CEO Eric Shin announced plans to establish a manufacturing facility in the state. This move aligns with India's 'Make in India' initiative and demonstrates KhushTech's commitment to the Indian market.

Parag Naik, Executive Vice President of Tejas Networks, highlighted the company's efforts in optimizing the demodulator, operating system, and middleware to function within the constraints of a feature phone environment.

Certification and Commercialization

The FreeStream D2M feature phone has achieved a significant milestone by becoming India's first BIS Certified D2M Feature Phone. This certification paves the way for its commercial launch in the Indian market.

As this technology continues to evolve, it holds the potential to revolutionize content delivery, particularly in areas with limited internet connectivity, and contribute significantly to India's digital transformation efforts.