The state-owned Doordarshan has started free TV service for smartphone users in 16 cities in India. This might be the media broadcaster's move to grab the attention of the increasing number of smartphone users.

The free broadcasting had started from February 25 and the DD channels – DD News, DD National, DD Bharati, DD Regional/Kisan, and DD Sports – are being relayed on the mobile devices without interruptions like "ghosting" and "snowing."

The cities in question are: Lucknow, Guwahati, Ranchi, Patna, Jalandhar, Cuttack, Indore, Raipur, Bhopal, Bangalore, Aurangabad, and Ahmedabad along with the four metro cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata. Doordarshan's Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) division is doing the needful things to ensure mobile users can receive the free media content without any Internet. However, there is one minor glitch. To directly view the programs, the iDTV or the integrated Digital Television setup, which can only work in select Samsung, Sony, LG, and Panasonic smartphones, is required.

On the other hand, other OTG-enabled smartphone and tablet users have the option of using DVB-T2 dongles, whereas Wi-Fi enabled dongles can be used for moving vehicles. The DD statement mentioned "no charges for watching the DD channels. Also, no Internet is required after installation of the software." This means users simply need to download the software and connect their phones to the dongles to receive the free DD signal. The expenses are thus limited to one-time investment for the dongle, after which no charges will apply in terms of content streaming.

This way "Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) secures greater plurality in platform ownership, ensuring that no single platform owner is so powerful that they can exert undue influence on public opinion or political agendas," as further reflected in the statement.

To avail the free DD content on mobile phones, get your dongles on online shopping sites Ebay, Snapdeal, and Flipkart.