BSNL eyes D2M to ease network strain during IPL and live sports

MUMBAI: When millions tune in to the same six, telecom networks often get bowled over. BSNL believes the answer may lie not in adding more data pipes, but in changing how the game reaches your screen. State-run telecom operator BSNL is exploring Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting as a potential solution to network congestion during major live events, with high-traffic sporting spectacles such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) emerging as a key use case.

The initiative forms part of BSNL’s collaboration with IIT Kanpur, which has been actively involved in developing and testing D2M technology in India. Unlike conventional streaming, which sends individual data streams to each user, D2M uses a broadcast model that can transmit the same content simultaneously to millions of compatible devices.

The difference may sound technical, but its impact could be significant.

During major sporting events, millions of viewers often attempt to watch the same live feed at the same time, placing enormous pressure on mobile networks. D2M aims to tackle that challenge by delivering content through a broadcast signal rather than relying entirely on cellular data infrastructure.

In simple terms, instead of millions of separate streams travelling across telecom networks, a single broadcast could reach everyone at once.

For operators, that could translate into more than just smoother streaming. By shifting high-volume video traffic away from traditional mobile networks, telecom companies could free up capacity for other services, helping maintain internet speeds, messaging services and overall network performance during peak viewing periods.

The technology is also attracting attention as operators grapple with growing video consumption and finite spectrum resources. As demand for mobile streaming continues to surge, broadcasters and telecom companies are increasingly exploring alternative content-delivery models that can work alongside existing broadband infrastructure.

Industry stakeholders believe live sports could become one of D2M’s first large-scale proving grounds. Events such as the IPL routinely attract massive digital audiences, making them an ideal test case for evaluating whether broadcast-based delivery can effectively reduce congestion while improving viewing quality.

BSNL has indicated that any commercial deployment will depend on successful proof-of-concept trials and technical validation. While timelines remain uncertain, the operator views D2M as part of a broader effort to create a more diversified communications ecosystem that blends broadcasting and telecommunications technologies.

If the technology lives up to expectations, future cricket fans may not just be watching boundaries on their phones, they could be witnessing a new way of delivering live content altogether.