IIT-K collaborates with Prasar Bharati for Direct2Mobile & 5G Broadband Convergence Conclave

With the view to bringing Telecom and Broadcasting Policy makers together to solidify India’s way forward on the convergence between Broadcast & 5G Broadband; a conclave is been organised by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), with support from Prasar Bharati and TSDSI (Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India) on “Direct-to-Mobile & 5G Broadband – Convergence Roadmap for India” in New Delhi on 1st June 2022.

Taking to Twitter, the director of IIT Kanpur Abhay Karandikar stated, “Conclave’s objective is to comprehensively look at the broadcast broadband convergence scenarios.” He further highlighted that the conference aims to bring together technical, business and regulatory experts who will focus on the convergence from an Indian perspective to understand India’s unique requirements and challenges, and review trends in global standards development.

Prasar Bharati extends support to NextGen Broadcasting Technology
CEO of Prasar Bharati Shashi Shekhar Vempati, along with Dr P. D. Vaghela, Chairman TRAI; Apurva Chandra, Secretary, MIB; A. K. Tiwari, Member, DoT; N G Subramaniam, Chairman, TSDSI, COO Tata Consultancy Services; & Pamela Kumar, DG TDSI will grace the event with their presence.

On this, CEO Prasar Bharati Shashi Shekhar Vempati stated, “First such forum bringing together Telecom and Broadcasting Policy Makers to firm up India’s way forward on the convergence between Broadcasting and 5g.”

In order to spur the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in Media and Broadcasting, Prasar Bharati, in 2021, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur to develop a Next-generation Broadcast solution for digital terrestrial broadcasting with emerging 5G standards. Subsequent to the collaboration agreement, three areas have been identified to be taken up under the aegis of the Center of Excellence – Direct to Mobile Broadcasting and Convergence with emerging 5G standards, Artificial Intelligence and advanced algorithms for audio-visual media.

“While mobile networks in India are overburdened with video traffic, exacerbated by the post-COVID explosive growth of mobile & OTT streaming, broadcast offers an efficient solution by providing a high-quality audio/visual experience by saving scarce & expensive cellular spectrum,” IIT Kanpur Director quoted. News On Air