SAMSUNG And Qualcomm is among those opposing India’s choice of technology to bring live TV broadcasting smartphonesArguing that the necessary hardware changes would increase the cost of the device by $30 (about Rs 2,500), according to letters reviewed by Reuters.
India is considering a policy to make it mandatory to equip smartphones with hardware to go live TV Signal without the need for cellular network. It proposes the use of the so-called ATSC 3.0 technology popular in North America that allows precise geo-location of TV signals and provides higher picture quality.
However the companies say their existing smartphones in India are not equipped to work with ATSC 3.0, and any attempt to add that compatibility would increase the cost of each device by $30 as more components need to be added. Some fear that their existing manufacturing plans could be harmed.
In a joint letter to India’s communications ministry, Samsung, Qualcommand telecom gear manufacturers Ericsson And Nokia That said, adding direct-to-mobile transmissions may also degrade the battery performance of devices and cellular reception.
“We see no merit in ongoing discussions on its adoption,” the letter, dated Oct. 17 and reviewed by Reuters, said.
The four companies and India’s communications ministry did not respond to requests for comment. According to a source with direct knowledge, the proposal is still under consideration and could be changed, and there is no fixed timeline for implementation.
Digital broadcasting of TV channels on smartphones has seen limited adoption in countries such as South Korea and the United States. Officials say it has not gained momentum due to lack of equipment to support the technology.
The policy protest is the latest from companies operating in India’s smartphone sector. In recent months, he rejected India’s move to make phones compatible with home navigation systems and another proposal to make safety testing mandatory for handsets.
For the Indian government, live TV broadcasting features are a way to reduce congestion on telecommunication networks due to high video consumption.
India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), a lobbying group of smartphone manufacturers that represents Apple And Xiaomi Other companies also privately opposed the move in a letter dated October 16, saying that no major handset maker globally currently supports ATSC 3.0.
According to research firm Counterpoint, Samsung tops India’s smartphone market with 17.2 percent share, while Xiaomi is at the second position with 16.6 percent share. Apple has 6 percent stake.
“Inclusion of any technology that is not proven and globally accepted … will derail the pace of domestic manufacturing,” the ICEA letter, reviewed by Reuters, said.
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