Remember the iconic Malakpet TV tower? It is getting ready for new innings

The iconic Malakpet TV tower in Hyderabad, once central to Doordarshan’s analogue broadcasts, is being repurposed for digital mobile broadcasting. Trials are underway to deliver TV channels directly to smartphones without internet or subscription, with Doordarshan channels like DD Yadagiri, DD National, and DD Sports expected to lead the rollout.

Hyderabad: Many Hyderabadis might have forgotten the colossal structure at Malakpet that once brought TV channels and entertainment into their homes via antennas fixed over their buildings. But, now, the same structure is set to usher in a new era by once again bringing TV channels directly to smartphones. That too without an internet connection and subscription.

The nearly 50-year-old Malakpet TV tower that played an important role in transmitting Doordarshan (DD) channels during the analogue era is now being repurposed for digital broadcasting.

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Currently, the TV tower and its infrastructure have been put on technology trials for digital mobile broadcasting. If the trials go as planned, Hyderabadis can watch TV channels on their smartphones without internet.

Unlike the present system, where television channels are streamed over the internet, the new system will transmit signals directly to mobile phones, which does not require an internet connection. All that is required is one application, which will be shortly launched, to watch these channels.

The signal from the studio will be uplinked to the satellite, which will be received by the TV tower. The powerful transmitters on the tower transmit the signal to users’ smartphones up to 60 km within the tower surroundings. The channels can be accessed via the app.

Speaking exclusively to ‘Telangana Today‘, Doordarshan Kendra Hyderabad Deputy Director General, NV Ramana said they are now migrating from digital terrestrial transmission to digital mobile broadcasting using the TV tower and the same infrastructure.

“Presently, trials are underway. If everything goes as planned, we may introduce digital mobile broadcasting, offering TV channels that can be watched on smartphones without internet free of cost, in one year,” he said.

The initial focus will be on broadcasting Doordarshan channels such as DD Yadagiri and Saptagiri, DD National, DD News and DD Sports, and other regional channels. Sports content is expected to be one of the major attractions of the new platform as DD holds the rights to telecast sports events in the country.

“Wherever there is a public interest-oriented sport played, the organisers have to share the feed with the DD. Since sports has also been telecast via DD sports, the same will be broadcast to mobiles,” he said.

While the policy on allowing private broadcasters is yet to be finalised, it might be opened for private channels through an auction process in the future.