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IIT Bombay and Sinclair Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance technology and standards in wireless broadcast services. The collaboration focuses on enhancing next-generation telecom and broadcast networks.

Sinclair Inc., a major player in local broadcast television and a diversified media company, shared that their research efforts will be centered around improving the ATSC 3.0 (Advanced Television Systems Committee) wireless broadcast standard. This will span mobile, televisi on, and various fixed applications, to deliver benefits not just to India, but globally.

ATSC 3.0’s advanced features are set to revolutionize “Broadcast-to-Everything” (B2X) use cases, enabling dynamic traffic management and seamless integration with 5G networks. Key benefits include efficient spectrum utilization, low-latency datacasting, edge content distribution, and extended battery life for devices like smartphones, feature phones, wearables, and IoT devices.

As a member of the ATSC, IIT Bombay will play a pivotal role in the development and standardization of the B2X release. This technology is expected to significantly reduce network congestion, enhance service quality for popular content, and promote sustainability. It will build upon Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) capabilities and extend broadcast functionality into the emerging IMT-2030 (6G) ecosystem.

Speaking about the potential benefits of the collaboration, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, said, “We are excited to partner with Sinclair Inc. in wireless telecom transformation and promote academic excellence, joint projects, and joint intellectual property development including Make in India initiatives to drive B2X adoption in India. It touches IIT Bombay’s mission to address the needs of society and country at large and develop technologies and products that improve the quality of life for both urban and rural populations.”

Mr. Chris Ripley, President and CEO, Sinclair, Inc., added, “We consider the collaboration work with IIT Bombay to be of the utmost importance in establishing ATSC 3.0-based B2X as the preferred technology for broadcasting and multicasting for diverse applications, not just in India, but ultimately across the globe. Sinclair is proud to have IIT Bombay reinforce our foundational role in advancing next-generation broadcast.”

Speaking about how this partnership adds to Prime Minister Modi’s Viksit Bharat goals, Mr. Shashi Shekhar Vempati, former CEO Prasar Bharati, and member of the ATSC Business Advisory Council, said, “The recent decision by Brazil to adopt the ATSC 3.0 standard for broadcast services, based on extensive testing of multiple systems, paves the way for B2X to further advance the standard’s broadcast resilience for the greater public good. This collaboration furthers the developmental goals of a Viksit Bharat (Developed Bharat) as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

With over 1 billion mobile subscribers and more than 200 million homes with television in India, alongside high mobile data consumption and widespread access to news, sports, and TV channels, the need for improved broadcast solutions is critical.

In the long term, Sinclair Inc. envisions B2X driving advancements in several sectors, including emergency and disaster management, remote education and skill development, agriculture, satellite positioning, vehicular communication, and AI-powered broadcasting and datacasting applications.

As IIT Bombay and Sinclair Inc. forge this groundbreaking partnership, the potential for transforming India’s broadcast and telecom landscapes becomes increasingly clear. With a shared commitment to innovation and societal progress, the partnership stands as a testament to the power of academia and industry working together to shape a more connected, efficient, and sustainable future. Through this synergy, India is poised to leap forward in its journey towards a Viksit Bharat, contributing to the global digital transformation and improving lives across urban and rural communities alike.