GatesAir supports ATSC 3.0 trial in India

GatesAir has completed a three-year direct-to-mobile (D2M) field trial in Delhi in partnership with public broadcaster Prasar Bharati and Tejas Networks, demonstrating the use of ATSC 3.0 technology for terrestrial multimedia delivery to mobile and consumer devices. The project combined GatesAir’s Maxiva XTE ATSC 3.0 exciter with Tejas Networks’ Broadcast Radio Head platform within a hybrid transmission architecture operating in single frequency network (SFN) mode. According to the companies, the deployment is believed to be the first hybrid HPHT/LPLT D2M network of its kind globally.

The trial was designed to evaluate the delivery of live video, audio, educational content and emergency alerts directly to devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions and feature phones without relying on internet or mobile network connectivity. The infrastructure combined high-power high-tower transmission systems with low-power low-tower broadcast radio heads to improve both outdoor and indoor reception coverage across Delhi.

“The success of the Delhi D2M field trial clearly demonstrates how ATSC 3.0 broadcasting can extend far beyond traditional television delivery,” commented Jacky Yee, head of APAC sales at GatesAir. “By combining the reliability and efficiency of over-the-air broadcasting with direct mobile reception, the project has validated a scalable approach for delivering multimedia content, educational services and emergency communications to millions of users.”

According to the manufacturer, the project also demonstrated that existing DVB-T2 infrastructure could be upgraded to ATSC 3.0 using a replacement exciter strategy rather than requiring a full transmission system overhaul. The trial formed part of wider digital inclusion initiatives supported by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and Tejas Networks.

“The ongoing D2M field trial in Delhi demonstrates the tremendous potential of D2M services for digital inclusion and next-generation content delivery,” added Arnob Roy, managing director and CEO of Tejas Networks.