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.

Tejas Networks , a leading telecom equipment manufacturer, reported a net loss of INR 194.00 crores in the first quarter, as revealed in their recent earnings call. The company's performance was significantly impacted by delays in purchase orders and shipment clearances, resulting in a sharp decline in revenue.

Financial Performance

The company's net revenue for Q1 stood at INR 202.00 crores, a substantial decrease from the previous quarter's revenue of INR 1,907.00 crores. This decline was primarily attributed to the postponement of the deployment of 18,000 BSNL 4G network sites and delays in shipment clearances for other customers.

Despite the challenging quarter, Tejas Networks maintained a robust order book of INR 1,241.00 crores at the end of Q1, with 92% coming from India and 8% from international business.

BSNL Order and Future Prospects

On a positive note, Tejas Networks expects to receive a significant order worth approximately INR 1,500.00 crores for BSNL's 4G expansion project, covering over 18,000 sites. This order is anticipated to boost the company's performance in the coming quarters.

Strategic Partnerships and Product Development

The company has made strategic moves to strengthen its market position:

1. Partnered with Rakuten Symphony for developing integrated 5G Open RAN solutions.
2. Collaborated with Intel for Direct-to-Mobile chipsets integration in laptops.
3. Launched a 1.2 terabit per wavelength DWDM solution.
4. Received the first order for a private 5G deployment under BSNL's Captive Non-Public Network initiative.

Financial Position

Tejas Networks reported an increase in trade receivables to INR 4,453.00 crores, while borrowings rose to INR 3,990.00 crores. The management expects significant receivable collections within the current financial year.

PLI Incentives and Awards

The company received Production Linked Incentive (PLI) incentives of INR 122.00 crores for Q3 of the previous fiscal year. Additionally, Tejas Networks was recognized as the Supply Chain Leader of the Year for Technology and Electronics at the SCM Middle East Conclave & Awards in Dubai.

Management Outlook

Arnob Roy, Executive Director and COO of Tejas Networks, expressed optimism about the company's future, citing continuing growth in data consumption and investments in fixed and mobile networking technologies worldwide. The company remains focused on expanding its product portfolio and addressable market while leveraging partnerships to access global customers.

As Tejas Networks navigates through the current challenges, it continues to invest in R&D and expand its global sales footprint, aiming for growth in the coming years.