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TEC explores ‘Connectivity for All’ Vision through Deliberations on Direct-to-Device (D2D) Technologies

April 08, 2026 4 min read Science & Technology Polity & Governance GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology Infrastructure)
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What Happened

  • 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.

Static Topic Bridges

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.

  • 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.

Connection to this news: 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.

  • 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.

Connection to this news: 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.

  • 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.

Connection to this news: 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.

Key Facts & Data

  • 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)