The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), organised a technical workshop in New Delhi to examine Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite communication technologies and their global precedents and deployment models. The event brought together global experts, industry stakeholders and policymakers to deliberate technological advancements and regulatory considerations for the D2D and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) ecosystems. Participation included representatives of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and officers from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing, TEC and DoT.

The workshop was inaugurated by Rudra Narayan Palai, Member (Technology) at the Department of Telecommunications, who underlined the role of next generation connectivity solutions in advancing the government vision of Connectivity for All and delivering seamless digital access to remote and underserved areas. Technical sessions featured presentations by industry participants including AST Space Mobile and Vodafone Idea Limited, who outlined recent developments in satellite to handset connectivity and evolving international regulatory approaches. Discussion addressed operational considerations for integrating D2D services with existing terrestrial infrastructure and potential deployment pathways in India.

Experts reviewed technological enablers and international precedents that inform spectrum, interoperability and handset certification requirements for D2D and NTN services, emphasising system resilience and scalability. Deliberations considered use cases such as extending coverage in geographically challenging regions and enhancing disaster preparedness through direct satellite links to standard mobile devices. Stakeholders assessed the regulatory and policy measures that would support responsible adoption while protecting consumer interests and maintaining network integrity.

The Department of Telecommunications reiterated its commitment to fostering innovation, enabling forward looking policy frameworks and strengthening collaboration with industry and regulators to advance cutting edge communication technologies. Officials signalled intent to continue consultations to refine technical standards and licensing approaches that balance rapid deployment with operational safeguards. The workshop was positioned as a step towards operationalising D2D technologies to complement terrestrial networks and accelerate progress towards universal digital coverage.