HMD and Lava to launch phones with broadcast TV support
HMD and Lava will both introduce smartphones that will receive broadcast TV without the need for internet or Wi-Fi. The devices will be showcased during the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, which will take place between May 1 and 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India.

The technology is called Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) and allows the phone to receive a signal and stream multimedia content without needing a cellular or wireless connection. We know the Lava phone will come equipped with an ultra-high-frequency (UHF) antenna that receives terrestrial TV broadcasts.
The Lava and HMD phones are both feature phones that will have a dedicated SL3000 chip by Saankhya Labs. Lava confirmed that their phone was developed in collaboration with Tejas Networks and will be powered by a MediaTek MT6261 chip. It will also have a 2,200 mAh battery and a 2.8” screen, which raises the question of who needs to watch TV on such a small display.
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Reader comments
- Kashmiri
- 2 hours ago
- vGd
I had a Chinese phone that used this tech 15 years ago with a larger display. A functional TV, no cellular connection needed. Worked anytime anywhere. Lava and HMD are going backwards.
- Anonymous
- 3 hours ago
- Iby
All that's old is new again...
- Jackpot
- 3 hours ago
- pv}
With the world we currently live in it would be a better fit to have shortwave radio buit-in...