Electronics manufacturer KhushTech Korea, in collaboration with Tejas Network, has developed a direct-to-mobile (D2M) feature phone that enables users to access live TV channels, OTT content, audio broadcasts, and text-based information, all without any internet or Wi-Fi connection. The phone uses India’s terrestrial TV broadcast airwaves (470-608 MHz) to deliver these services and includes Saankhya Labs’ SL-3000 D2M demodulator chip.
The phone is expected to receive BIS certification by the end of July 2025, though the company is still awaiting final approval from the Indian government for D2M technology. KhushTech is also planning to set up a D2M mobile phone manufacturing unit in India with an initial investment of $20 million, followed by an additional $80 million over the next five years.
Further, KhushTech is targeting India’s rural and low-income segments, where feature phone use is still prevalent and internet penetration remains low. With 300 million feature phone users in India, the company expects D2M-enabled devices to eventually replace more than half of this base. The phones will also support UPI payments, offering a smartphone-like experience in digital transactions.
Furthermore, sales will begin via online marketplaces and offline retail networks across Tier II and Tier III cities, with potential bundled partnerships with telecom operators. KhushTech has also expressed interest in creating a cluster of Korean high-tech small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Andhra Pradesh as part of its long-term plans.
