Hold the line! 5G broadcast is here

5G broadcast, officially known as LTE-based 5G terrestrial broadcast, is a transmission technology that delivers TV, radio and other media directly to mobile devices within a 60km radius of high-power, high-tower (HPHT) transmitters. Unlike traditional mobile services, devices receiving 5G broadcast don’t need a SIM card, internet connection or Wi-Fi. Instead, content is transmitted using the same radio cell infrastructure that powers digital terrestrial television. The standard was developed by 3GPP. 

5G technology has paved a transformational footpath in the broadcast and livestreaming arenas, offering keenly sought-after benefits such as ultra-low latency, high-speed data transmission and seamless connectivity. With the tantalising promise of enabling real-time and high-quality content delivery to large audiences across various platforms and devices, for broadcasters this means a reduction in the technical limitations that previously impacted broadcasting and livestreaming. 

Additionally, one of the most crucial benefits is its ability to support distributed productions, reducing the need for extensive on-site equipment and personnel while maintaining high-quality output. 

However, as a football fan, I know I am not alone when it comes to the number of matches I have watched live, only to hear my neighbours celebrating a goal moments before witnessing it myself. Or, perhaps most tragically, finding out England lost the Uefa Euro 2024 final to Spain from my friend via text as his stream was seconds ahead of mine.

While 5G broadcast offers incredible potential, its adoption is certainly not without obstacles. On top of the age-old latency issue, coverage remains patchy in many regions, and the infrastructure needed for high-power transmission towers comes at a quite significant cost. Device compatibility is also a sticking point, as not all smartphones and tablets currently support the technology. Add to this the regulatory complexities and the need for close cooperation between broadcasters and mobile operators, and it is clear that widespread rollout will take time.

We are here to spotlight examples of 5G streaming successes, which demonstrate a progressive path for the cost-cutting technology’s future. Whether it is live sports, music gigs or current affairs, 5G broadcast is making content more immediate, immersive and accessible than ever. 

Tried and tested

One of the key roles cellular broadcast has played since its integration into the live space is its bolstering of media delivery – by shifting from one-to-one unicast streaming to a more efficient one-to-many broadcast model. 

“This enables broadcasters to deliver high-quality content such as live sports, concerts or public events directly to millions of mobile devices simultaneously, without relying on traditional mobile networks,” begins Mohamed Aziz Taga, head of product, business development and strategy at Rohde & Schwarz GmbH. 

The broadcast-based architecture provides exceptional scalability, since adding more viewers does not increase data load on cellular networks, making it ideal for high-profile events. “Content quality remains consistently high, with minimal buffering even under high demand, as all receivers access the same broadcast signal,” adds Taga. “5G broadcast delivers significant spectral and energy efficiency gains compared to unicast methods, with Rohde & Schwarz transmitters reducing energy use by up to 50%. [It] also supports public safety applications, delivering alerts, text, images and live video to mobile devices even without SIM cards or subscriptions, proving valuable in emergencies. Use cases include venue casting, V2X [vehicle-to-everything] casting and OTA updates, live commerce, e-learning, multi-angle sports feeds and premium interactive services at venues.” 

The improved quality of cellular broadcast is a product of rigorous testing scenarios. Rohde & Schwarz offers the R&S Tx9 platform for lab and large-scale trials, plus the new Tx1 platform, including the R&S TH1, for early commercial deployments. “These support full live 3GPP-compliant deployments and deliver 5G broadcast signals using the one-to-many model instead of traditional unicast mobile networks,” says Taga. “The Broadcast Service and Control Center (BSCC 2.0) manages multicast sessions and integrates with virtual cloud deployments. This system has been implemented within several projects worldwide. Additionally, live casting and venue casting technologies enable low-latency broadcasting inside venues with interactive experiences and multi-angle content delivered directly to attendees’ devices.” 

Another company leading the way is Sony. One of its first forays into 5G broadcasting was in 2019 for the Berlin Marathon. Sony, Deutsche Telekom and Infront Productions’ aim was to undertake a stress test of 5G mobile network technology in a live production environment. Sony deployed encoding technology to enable its 5G-connected cameras to stream footage over the public mobile network. 

“We were able to test some of our technology around 5G in a very prototype form,” says Peter Sykes, strategic technology development manager at Sony Europe. “They got pictures on air during the race, and things have developed from that time. There’s a good selection of tools for 5G that Sony have in the market. There are national telecommunication providers rolling out 5G networks, as well as companies that provide private networks. There are a few good examples of the use of those networks – such as King Charles III’s coronation in 2023 – that Sony were involved with.” 

Sony also recently participated in a number of trials and deployments of 5G. It worked alongside RTL Deutschland and Deutsche Telekom during Euro 2024 to deliver live TV from the fan zone in Cologne. “There was Sony camera technology, our encoder and then our audible data transmitter, PDT-FP1, which was used to transfer data onto the network,” explains Sykes.  

Sony provided FX6 cameras, the CBK-RPU7 remote production unit and the PDT-FP1 data transmitter, which are all crucial for 5G-enabled live broadcasts. RTL’s Nevion VideoIPath SDN control software system was used to manage the delivery of pictures and sound received via the 5G network into RTL’s SMPTE ST 2110-based IP production infrastructure. Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom also installed a private 5G stand-alone network for RTL Deutschland, which became the first media company in Germany to supply its production studios with 5G via its own Ericsson 5G SA network. 

“The reason that our media customers are interested in our 5G technology is because it offers them new advantages,” says Sykes. “For example, it’s wireless and they might be looking to remove cabling. They might be wanting to migrate from radio frequency technology, for example, where you have multiple feeds to a camera and you need a licence for each one. To replace that with a single licence for a 5G connection could be quite attractive.” 

Sony’s most recent use case was its work for the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, which took place in Portsmouth, UK in July. “BT were offering network slices to a number of areas, one of which was the merchandise store, the point-of-sale terminals,” says Sykes. “They offered capacity on the slices for those. We were able to connect a camera through our encoder, our PDT-FP1, and that was decoded. Ultimately, this was quite an advanced example of the use of not just the network but also the slicing capability. This is brought through a 5G stand-alone configuration – it’s 5G technology all the way through, the network is not relying on any legacy 4G capability.”

Strike a pose

Another vendor powerhouse making use of 5G technology to enhance live video delivery for broadcasters is Zixi. Its Media Gateway Platform supports multipath bonding for a wide range of applications beyond traditional backpack solutions. “These include enterprise networking and SD-WAN capabilities that facilitate connectivity between production facilities, remote offices and off-grid locations,” says Emeka Okoli, senior vice president, business development at Zixi. “The platform integrates advanced multipath bonding with a robust, industry-validated dynamic error correction control mechanism along with SMPTE 2022-7-compliant hitless merge on the edge, ensuring maximum availability and resilience for REMI broadcasts, mission-critical communications and tactical drone operations and satellite distribution augmentation. By enabling bonding and load balancing across 5G, LEO connections such as OneWeb and Starlink, and GEO satellites, with both wired and wireless circuits for seamless or sequential failover, the Zixi Platform delivers optimised total cost of ownership and flexible deployment options for diverse 5G and bonding scenarios.”

Zixi has worked across the board on a number of events, displaying its commitment to implementing 5G. Its most recent project was the Paris Fashion Week at the prestigious Dior Summer 2026 show, alongside OBE.TV (Open Broadcast Systems) and AWS. Octal, a service provider, managed the VIP Onboard streaming. “For the Dior fashion show in central Paris, we deployed a multi-vehicle streaming solution featuring three cars, each equipped with dual cameras for dynamic coverage throughout the event,” says Xavier Deschuyteneer, owner at Octal. “Our connectivity strategy combined four 5G PoE modems with Starlink satellite connectivity, utilising OBE‘s 5G flyaway kit to ensure consistent performance in the dense urban environment. Each vehicle housed two encoders handling SDI to IP conversion, with dedicated bonding management through Zixi, creating a robust redundancy framework.”

This architecture enabled seamless failover capabilities and load distribution across multiple network paths. “The entire workflow was orchestrated through AWS Media Connect, allowing real-time monitoring and management of all streams from a centralised cloud dashboard,” Deschuyteneer continues. “The modular design provided exceptional scalability – additional vehicles or cameras could be integrated on demand without reconfiguring the entire system. By separating encoding, bonding and connectivity functions across discrete components, we achieved greater operational flexibility and could optimise each element independently. This approach also facilitated the use of broadcast-grade equipment and professional monitoring tools, guaranteeing the premium-quality standards expected for luxury fashion broadcasting while maintaining the agility needed for live event production in challenging urban locations.”

Fan-first solutions

On top of the aforementioned benefits, 5G seeks to redefine fan engagement. Through real-time streaming, giving fans access to instant replays and multiple camera angles, there are now endless customisable viewing options – all with minimal delay. Likewise, augmented and virtual reality are now being integrated more cohesively, allowing viewers to engage with live statistics, player tracking capabilities and immersive environments from their own devices.

Within stadiums, too, enhanced connectivity improves the experience by enabling real-time content access and interactive features through dedicated apps. The technology also supports dynamic camera set-ups, including drones and body cams that have been implemented in numerous sports across the globe. Broadcasters and organisations such as the NFL, BT Sport and NBC are already leveraging 5G to elevate both production efficiency and viewer experience, signalling a major shift in how live sports content is created and consumed.

Back in 2018, Vodafone put the first 5G transmission mast into operation at its test site in Aldenhoven near Aachen, Germany. Following this, in the 2019/20 Bundesliga season in Germany, the Deutsche Fußball Liga and Vodafone entered a two-year partnership with the aim of making the new 5G mobile communications standard accessible to stadium visitors. To demonstrate the potential of the technology, the partners also developed an augmented reality app. And VfL Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen Arena was the first stadium in Germany to be equipped with a 5G mobile antenna from Vodafone. The 5G technology increased the available network capacity in the stadium by more than 60%. 

Where is 5G being used?

While the Premier League in England is still slightly behind in cellular broadcast, it has begun to be implemented in stadiums, with Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge the first. The stadium now provides 5G coverage to Three customers, which means fans will be able to access a seamless and connected experience on a home matchday. 

A perhaps unlikely source in the English Football League that’s also utilising 5G technology is Millwall FC. This year, the club is launching Millwall Mobile, which will be powered by the UK’s fastest 5G network – Three – with 99.9% UK coverage. This unique partnership will allow fans to support Millwall directly with their mobile plans, as a portion of the subscription fees goes back to the club.  

In the US, T-Mobile has been deploying and expanding its industry-leading 5G coverage across the country at Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums. So far, the company has rolled out private 5G networks at 28 MLB ballparks, with plans to be in every US ballpark before the end of 2025. T-Mobile‘s 5G network is crucial for the Automated Ball-Strike System, which uses high-speed cameras to track pitches and determine balls and strikes. The system transmits pitch data instantly via 5G-connected devices, enabling umpires, coaches and players to receive real-time feedback and challenge calls. T-Mobile‘s 5G network enhances the overall fan experience with faster and more reliable connectivity within stadiums. The technology also enables new camera angles and perspectives for broadcast coverage. 

Back in 2021, three billion people tuned in for the Tokyo Olympics, before an estimated five billion for Paris 2024. 5G was responsible for helping to deliver seamless coverage of the event. It allowed for multi-angle 8K streaming during Paris 2024, showcasing the potential for enhanced viewer engagement. No doubt 5G will play a crucial role when it comes to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles too. It remains to be seen how much of a role it will play at next year’s Fifa World Cup. The tournament will be played across three countries for the first time and it is vital for early planning to ensure seamless broadcasting and immersive entertainment for fans.

On a global scale 

5G deployment varies significantly from country to country and from region to region. China is one of the global leaders in the technology and has invested significantly in 5G infrastructure. The first country to commercially deploy 5G nationwide on 3 April 2019, however, was South Korea. With a robust technology ecosystem, South Korean broadcasters and content creators are leveraging 5G to deliver immersive experiences, 4K and 8K streaming services, as well as enhanced virtual reality and interactive television. These applications require the blazing speeds and low latency offered by 5G networks, providing substantial market growth opportunities for LTE and 5G broadcast solutions.

In Australia, telecom and pay-TV services revenue is expected to increase at a modest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.8%, from $19.1 billion in 2024 to $19.9 billion in 2029, supported by mobile data and fixed broadband segments. Expanding 5G coverage and fibre network upgrades are set to bolster connectivity and support the market’s digital evolution over the forecast period, says analyst Global Data.

Kantipudi Pradeepthi, telecom analyst at Global Data, explains that 4G services accounted for a majority share of overall mobile subscriptions in Australia in 2024. “5G subscriptions, on the other hand, are set to increase at a rapid pace and surpass 4G subscriptions, driven by the ongoing efforts of operators like Optus, TPG Telecom and Telstra,” Pradeepthi says. “For instance, Telstra aims to expand its 5G coverage to 95% of the country by the end of 2025. 

“As Australia’s telecom landscape continues to evolve, operators must prioritise investments in high-speed connectivity and service innovation to stay competitive. Strategic focus on 5G rollout, fibre expansion and digital service offerings will be crucial in driving long-term revenue growth and meeting rising consumer expectations within an increasingly digital-first environment.”

Commercial rollout is planned from 2027 across Europe, and Taga explains that the 5G Broadcast Strategic Task Force, led by selected broadcast network operators and broadcasters including Rohde & Schwarz, is targeting population coverage in Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Czechia and Belgium, with services expected to begin from the second half of 2027 onwards. 

New business models will emerge around immersive real-time content, personalised experiences, targeted advertising, hybrid OTA/OTT models and public safety alerts as monetisable services for broadcasters and mobile operators. “Broadcast receive mode without SIM cards is expected to see wider adoption, driven by field trials showing reliable video on standard devices,” concludes Taga. 

“The industry is moving toward hybrid and cloud-native architectures that virtualise the BSCC on cloud computing services, enabling scalable, low-latency deployment and easier integration with OTT environments and operator infrastructures. Public safety evolution will focus on enhanced critical alerting and emergency communications via broadcast, led by national public service broadcasters and authorities, especially in disaster situations.”

This feature was first published in the Autumn 2025 issue of FEED.