Khushtech Korea has achieved a major milestone by obtaining BIS certification for its ‘Made-in-India’ direct-to-mobile (D2M) feature phone. The company also announced plans to begin large-scale manufacturing in India from October 2025. This approval marks a step forward in bringing advanced mobile broadcasting technology to a wider audience through affordable feature phones. The D2M device will use India’s terrestrial TV broadcast spectrum to provide internet connectivity without relying solely on traditional mobile networks.
The Khushtech D2M Feature Phone is powered by Saankhya Labs’ SL-3000 D2M demodulator chip, designed to operate in the 470–608 MHz broadcast bands. The company plans to invest an additional $80 million over the next five years, raising its total investment in India to $100 million. The company’s primary focus will be on rural and lower-income markets, where feature phone usage remains high and internet access is limited.
With over 300 million feature phones in India, Khushtech expects D2M-enabled models to eventually replace more than half of the existing market volume. To reach consumers, the company is exploring both online e-commerce platforms and offline retail networks in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, as well as rural areas, through partnerships with distributors and retailers. It is also considering collaborations with telecom operators for bundled service offers.
Additionally, the new D2M phones will support UPI payments, enabling secure and convenient digital transactions similar to those on smartphones.
