Doordarshan launches internet-free mobile TV service
05 Apr 2016
State-controlled broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) has launched a free TV service for mobile phones in India.
Doordarshan's Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) arm is currently offering mobile TV services in 16 Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati, Patna, Ranchi, Cuttack, Lucknow, Jalandhar, Raipur, Indore, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
The two key aspects of DD's mobile TV service are that the media content is free and it does not require internet. Devices with iDTV (integrated Digital Television) setup can directly relay the programmes. But only select LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony smartphones come equipped with this modem in India.
Others can also enjoy mobile TV service by buying Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial (DVB-T2) dongles, which can be mounted on OTG (On-The-Go) enabled smartphones and tablets. Users just need to install the required application on the phone and the device will be ready to relay the content.
DD Mobile TV services can also be streamed on television sets with built-in DVB-T2 tuner at home and also on moving vehicles via Wi-Fi dongles.
As of now, DD National, DD News, DD Bharati, DD Sports, DD Regional/DD Kisan are being relayed on mobile TV service.