I&B Ministry
Prasar Bharati chooses Tektronix monitors for digital switch
MUMBAI: Prasar Bharati is vigorously pursuing its mission of making the transition from analogue to digital. Tektronix which claims to be the market leader in video test, measurement and monitoring has announced that Prasar Bharati has purchased Tektronix’ innovative handheld waveform monitors for studio and field use during the digital transition.
Prasar Bharati will use Tektronix WFM91D Handheld Waveform Monitors in a mixed analogue and digital environment for studio maintenance and field production work. Because the WFM91D is a dual standard monitor, it eliminates the need for the broadcaster to purchase separate analogue and digital monitoring instruments. As part of the WFM91D’s flexibility, the instrument will auto detect whether the incoming signal is composite analog video or standard definition digital video and configure itself accordingly.
As Prasar Bharati moves Doordarshan from analogue to digital it is looking to keep maintenance issues as simple as possible. The flexibility of the Tektronix WFM91D in its portability and its ability to move seamlessly between analog and digital sources allows Prasar Bharati to cost-effectively serve over 362 million viewers with the highest quality signals.
The Tektronix WFM91D Handheld Waveform Monitor is a handheld, multifunction monitor ideally suited to the monitoring needs of field production, equipment installation or any situation where portability and battery operation is required for analysis of analogue composite video and standard definition digital systems. The high-resolution, 4 in./102 mm color LCD display provides a clear picture of the incoming video signal.
Alternately, the waveform, vector or audio displays may be shown full-screen or overlaid in monochrome on top of the color picture display. In addition to the integrated LCD display, a composite video output enables routing to an external display.
I&B Ministry
Digital radio, D2M tech set to reshape broadcasting and public messaging
Govt pushes next-gen delivery while TRAI tightens grip on spam ecosystem
NEW DELHI: India’s broadcasting and telecom landscape is undergoing a quiet but significant upgrade, with digital radio and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technologies emerging as powerful tools for mass communication, while regulators step up efforts to tackle spam calls.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, digital radio and D2M are poised to transform how content reaches audiences by making more efficient use of spectrum. In simple terms, multiple channels can now be delivered over a single frequency, opening the door to a wider range of free-to-air content.
D2M technology takes this a step further by enabling video, audio and data to be broadcast directly to mobile handsets without relying on SIM cards or mobile data. The result is a resilient and cost-effective data pipe that can deliver everything from entertainment and education to critical emergency alerts, even in low-connectivity scenarios.
At the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is tightening its grip on unsolicited commercial communication, better known as spam calls. The regulator has deployed a distributed ledger technology platform to bring transparency and accountability into the system.
Through this blockchain-based setup, consumers can register their preferences on receiving promotional messages, while businesses and telemarketers must also sign up and operate within defined rules. The platform also includes a complaint mechanism that allows users to report spam, with complaints shared across telecom operators for coordinated action.
The government’s broader push is being supported by infrastructure upgrades under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme. Implemented through Prasar Bharati, the initiative focuses on modernising networks such as Akashvani and Doordarshan, including digitisation and adoption of next-generation broadcast equipment.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan said these steps are part of a larger effort to promote emerging technologies and strengthen the country’s broadcasting backbone. The response came to a query raised by member of Parliament Rao Rajendra Singh.
Together, these developments point to a dual-track strategy: expanding access to reliable, low-cost content while cleaning up the communication ecosystem. As digital pipes get smarter and spam filters sharper, India’s airwaves may soon feel a lot less noisy and far more useful.
