Direct-to-Mobile: The 5G Broadcast Frontier
FROM THE EDITOR
Hello 5G Broadcast Enthusiasts,
This week, I'm putting the spotlight on one of the most exciting and impactful use cases for 5G Broadcast: Direct-to-Mobile (D2M).
At its core, D2M means delivering broadcast content—video, audio, data—directly to smartphones and connected devices without requiring a SIM card, mobile data, Wi-Fi, or even Bluetooth. It's exactly what it sounds like: true broadcast content, delivered straight to your phone.
Why does this matter? Because it completely transforms the public’s access to information. Think about:
Free, over-the-air TV streamed straight to your phone—no data charges, no buffering, no login required.
Emergency alerts and public safety messages that reach everyone at once, even if networks are down.
Educational content accessible in remote areas without reliable internet coverage.
Live events, breaking news, and sports broadcast simultaneously to millions—no network congestion.
And all of this happens without consuming cellular bandwidth or cellular data. This is the true one-to-many model, and it's what 5G Broadcast is built for.
5G Broadcast has the potential to redefine media access and digital inclusion. It democratizes content delivery by reaching people wherever they are—urban or rural, connected or not. It reduces strain on cellular networks, helps mobile operators lower costs, and opens up a world of public benefit services that were once limited by infrastructure or affordability. It’s not a far-off concept—it’s happening now. Governments, broadcasters, and telecoms around the world are beginning to test and deploy D2M pilots. As support builds, the real-world benefits for the general public will only grow.
We often talk about the future of broadcasting. This is it—broadcast that goes where people already are: on their devices, in their hands, in real time. Stay tuned as we continue to explore the incredible tech of 5G Broadcast and its transformative applications.
Mehul Agarwal
(Editor, 5G Broadcast Collective)
ARTICLES
FCC Seeks Comments on LPTV Adoption of 5G Broadcasting
WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission’s Media Bureau is seeking public comment on a Petition for Rulemaking from HC2 Broadcasting Holdings asking it to allow low-power television (LPTV) stations to use the 5G Broadcast transmission standard as an alternative to the currently authorized ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0.
Rohde & Schwarz To Showcase 5G Broadcast Technologies
Rohde & Schwarz will showcase its latest energy-efficient transmitters and 5G Broadcast technologies, designed to support network operators and content providers in driving operational resilience, sustainability, and new business models.
Rohde & Schwarz will return to CABSAT in 2025 to showcase its latest broadcast distribution solutions. The focus will be on supporting network operators and content providers with technologies that unlock new business models while driving operational resilience and sustainability.
D2M: The broadcast revolution coming straight to your smartphone
Imagine watching live cricket, breaking news, or getting disaster alerts - all on your smartphone - without spending a single MB of mobile data. sounds futuruistic? It's closer than you think.
Direct-to-Mobile(D2M) is a hybrid communication technology that allows broadcast-grade content like live TV, news, and emergency alerts to be transmitted directly to smartphones - without replying on the internet.
EVENTS
IBC Amsterdam 2025
Sep 12 - Sep 15
We'll be back at IBC Amsterdam this year. Mark your calendars and do stop by XGen Network's booth 5.A31 to meet us
