Technology Desk: A big change can be seen regarding mobile connectivity in India. Tata Group-backed satellite communication company Nelco is preparing to launch Direct-to-Device i.e. D2D satellite connectivity service. The company aims to start trials by the end of 2027 and launch commercial service in early 2028.
Along with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are also being seen as the initial markets of this service. The specialty of D2D technology is that the mobile phone supported in it can connect directly to the satellite. In such a situation, it can help in providing connectivity even in those places where it is difficult to install mobile towers.
Nelco made big investment for D2D
To strengthen its hold in the D2D business, Nelco has purchased a minority stake in Lunar Holdco Inc for $ 20 million i.e. about Rs 191 crore. Lunar Holdco provides satellite mobile connectivity solutions under the Elveo Mobile brand.
According to PTI report, Nelco Managing Director and CEO PJ Nath has said that this investment of the company is not limited to just reselling the services of any other company. Nelco intends to play a strategic role in the rapidly growing D2D ecosystem. The company estimates that D2D technology may become a major part of satellite communication in the coming 7 to 10 years.
Trial in late 2027, service in 2028
Nelco wants to start the trial of D2D service in India by the end of 2027. After this, there is a plan to start commercial service in early 2028.
However, its entire timeline will depend on the regulatory framework created in India. That is, the license, spectrum and necessary approvals from the government will decide when the service will actually start. Apart from India, the company also wants to include Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in its initial markets.
Will partner with mobile companies instead of common customers
Nelco does not plan to sell D2D services directly to general customers. The company wants to partner with mobile network operators. Its business model will be mainly B2B and B2G. That means the company will focus more on providing connectivity solutions to other companies and government institutions.
According to Nelco, it is not easy for mobile companies to provide network by installing towers everywhere. Especially in remote, hilly, forest and marine areas, there is high cost and technical difficulty in providing mobile network. In such areas, satellite networks can act as an additional connectivity layer on top of existing mobile networks.
What exactly is Direct-to-Device?
Direct-to-Device i.e. D2D is a technology in which a compatible smartphone or other device can connect directly to the satellite. Currently, mobile phones generally connect to a nearby tower. The phone gets the mobile network through the tower and then the user calls, messages or uses the Internet.
If there is no mobile tower in an area, then the supported phone can directly contact the satellite through D2D technology. This can help in providing connectivity in remote areas.
Will a separate SIM or satellite dish be required for this?
A major advantage of D2D is that it does not require a separate satellite dish or a large dongle. But this does not mean that every existing smartphone will automatically connect to the satellite.
The phone must have technology to support the respective D2D service. Along with this, the satellite operator and mobile network company will also have to support that connection. That means just the satellite passing over you is not enough.
Will every phone be able to connect directly to satellite?
No. The phone will need to be compatible for D2D connectivity. Apart from this, it is also necessary to have technical support with the phone and mobile operator for the satellite service being used. Therefore, even after D2D service becomes available in future, this facility will not be available simultaneously on all smartphones.
Phone will not connect if Starlink satellite is above
A common misconception regarding D2D may be that if a company's satellite is present in the sky then any smartphone will connect to it. For satellite connectivity, there must be necessary technical arrangements between the phone, satellite network and the telecom operator. The phone will not automatically connect to the satellite just by passing over it.
D2D is not just for the Internet
D2D technology will not be used only to provide internet to smartphones. It can also be used in IoT devices, sensors and trackers. For example, a sensor located in a remote area can send data via satellite without a mobile network.
It can be used in many areas:
smart farming
forest monitoring
luggage tracking
connected vehicle
maritime services
IoT devices in remote areas
Connectivity in times of disaster
Use will also increase in smart farming
D2D technology can also be useful for farmers. Sensors installed in fields can record soil moisture, temperature and other information.
Where mobile network is not available, satellite connection can help in sending data from these sensors. This could make it easier to implement smart agriculture systems in remote farms.
Nelco's D2D plan is different from its partnership with OneWeb
Nelco is already working with Eutelsat OneWeb. The company's business with OneWeb is mainly based on LEO i.e. Low Earth Orbit satellite connectivity and reseller model. The investment in Lunar Holdco for D2D is a separate initiative. The company wants to strengthen its strategic presence in the D2D ecosystem through this investment.
License and spectrum are the biggest challenges
To start D2D service, along with technology, government approval will also be necessary. License and spectrum are among the biggest challenges in this sector. TRAI has sought suggestions from concerned parties regarding the use of Mobile Satellite Service i.e. MSS spectrum and IMT i.e. mobile spectrum for D2D service.
If IMT spectrum is used, satellite companies may have to partner with mobile operators. Nelco says that it is making preparations even before the regulatory approval, so that the service can be expanded rapidly once the rules are approved.
Additional layer will be made for mobile network
Nelco's D2D plan does not aim to completely replace the existing mobile network. Rather, by combining satellite connectivity with mobile networks, the reach of the network is to be increased in such areas where it is difficult or expensive to install towers. If this model is successful, then in future mobile networks and satellite networks can together provide more extensive connectivity to users.