HMD and Lava to Unveil Phones With Built-in Broadcast TV Support at WAVES 2025

Mumbai, April 30, 2025 — Indian smartphone brand Lava and global manufacturer HMD are set to debut feature phones capable of receiving broadcast TV signals without an internet or Wi-Fi connection. The innovative devices will be showcased at the upcoming World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, scheduled to be held from May 1 to 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre

, Mumbai.

Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) Technology Makes a Breakthrough

At the heart of this innovation lies Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technology, which allows mobile devices to receive and stream live multimedia content — such as television channels — via terrestrial broadcast signals, eliminating the need for cellular networks or Wi-Fi. This technology could play a significant role in enhancing digital accessibility

in remote and underserved regions.

Lava confirmed that its upcoming device will use an ultra-high-frequency (UHF) antenna capable of receiving over-the-air terrestrial TV broadcasts — much like traditional TV sets, but integrated into a mobile form factor.

SL3000 Chip and Local Collaborations Power the Launch

Both the Lava and HMD phones will be feature phones

, not smartphones, and will incorporate the SL3000 chip, developed by Saankhya Labs, a pioneer in broadcast technology.

Lava has also collaborated with Tejas Networks, a Tata Group company, in the development of its TV-enabled handset. The device will run on the MediaTek MT6261 chipset, a popular platform for affordable, low-power feature phones. It will also sport a 2.8-inch display

and a 2,200 mAh battery, offering basic multimedia functionality for budget-conscious consumers.

Potential Use Cases and Challenges

While the concept of watching live television on a 2.8-inch display may raise practical questions, the real promise of D2M technology lies in its utility during emergencies, remote learning, rural entertainment, and disaster alerts

, especially in areas with limited or no internet coverage.

The launch represents a milestone in India’s push toward indigenous digital broadcasting solutions, aligned with the government’s broader Digital India initiative.

Industry Significance

WAVES 2025 is expected to offer deeper insights into the future of broadcast-media convergence, and the demonstration of these phones will likely generate interest from public broadcasters, telecom operators, and regulators exploring ways to extend TV coverage without data usage

.

If successful, this rollout could pave the way for mainstream D2M integration in future smartphones, unlocking new business models for content distribution.