The advent of 5G technology has opened up a wide array of opportunities across the globe. Among these, one particularly promising area is the enhancement of broadcast and multicast capabilities within the entire wireless ecosystem. This innovation not only boosts spectral and energy efficiency but also reduces costs, making 5G a powerful enabler of new technological and business opportunities. In this context, 5G Broadcast has emerged as a game changer for media delivery, offering unprecedented efficiency and reliability on a large scale.
As mobile data usage continues to surge, especially during events that attract large crowds, networks often struggle to handle the demand for video streaming and other data transmissions required by numerous users. Thus, 5G Broadcast promises to mitigate these challenges by maintaining consistent service quality for broadcast video and other data content that needs to be delivered simultaneously to a large number of users. It facilitates the distribution of linear media content through large radio cells, ensuring that all mobile devices within the coverage area of a transmitter can receive broadcasted programmes without overburdening the network. As a result, the quality of the programmes remains intact, regardless of the number of devices connected within a cell.
The GSA released a report titled “5G Broadcast” in July 2024, which explores the evolving 5G broadcast ecosystem. Since 2019, GSA has tracked at least 23 trials or pilots across 12 countries or territories, showcasing the growing interest in 5G Broadcast. The report also outlined several potential use cases, further demonstrating the transformative impact of this technology on the future of media delivery.
A look at the key highlights of the GSA report…
5G Broadcast is a global terrestrial broadcast standard that was finalised in 2020 as part of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 16 specifications. Over the years, 3GPP has supported broadcast and multicast technologies with varying levels of success. Initially, multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) architecture and protocols were developed to enable broadcast and multicast capabilities for older networks. However, MBMS struggled to gain widespread adoption, mainly due to the limited media consumption on mobile devices at that time.
As the demand for more advanced broadcast and multicast capabilities grew with the advent of 5G, 3GPP introduced significant enhancements in Release 17. These enhancements, built on new radio (NR) technology, were designed to better support broadcast and multicast services within the 5G system. This upgraded architecture, known as the multicast and broadcast service, became a key component of 5G Broadcast.
With 5G’s evolving broadcast and multicast requirements, a new architectural approach was necessary, particularly because 5G’s NR characteristics differ significantly from those of its predecessor, long-term evolution.
Potential use cases
Beyond the technological advantages, 5G Broadcast introduces a host of innovative use cases that significantly benefit consumers across various sectors, including:
Free-to-air media
Traditionally, when many viewers watch content simultaneously over unicast cellular networks, it can place a substantial strain on the network, leading to reduced quality of service and increased delivery costs for operators. 5G Broadcast revolutionises this by allowing live content to be transmitted to multiple viewers without the need for individual data streams for each user, as is the case with unicast. By dynamically offloading excess traffic from unicast, 5G Broadcast ensures consistent quality of service and minimises downtime.
Public safety notifications
In times of public emergencies, the reliability of communication networks is crucial. However, cellular network infrastructure is vulnerable to damage during natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. 5G Broadcast offers a more resilient solution, providing vital information to users even in challenging circumstances. The use of high-tower broadcasting sites, which are more physically robust, further enhances the potential for delivering emergency information in areas prone to natural disasters. This capability ensures that survivors receive essential instructions during critical moments.
Sporting events and venues
Large gatherings at sporting events often pose challenges for mobile operators due to the high number of attendees sharing limited network resources and bandwidth. This congestion not only affects the experience of attendees but can also disrupt the venue’s operations. 5G Broadcast addresses this issue by preventing cellular networks from being overwhelmed by large crowds, enabling seamless video content delivery at events without compromising the network’s performance.
Vehicle casting
As the automotive industry increasingly integrates data-driven technologies into vehicles, manufacturers require secure and reliable communication systems to connect cars with various devices. 5G Broadcast supports real-time traffic updates and vehicle-to-everything communication, ensuring safe and efficient data transmission for software updates, media, entertainment and more.
E-sports
The e-sports industry thrives on shared, live-streamed experiences, and with gaming consoles now offering broadcast sessions, 5G Broadcast has the potential to enhance these experiences for both viewers and gamers. By providing a more stable and high-quality connection, 5G Broadcast can elevate e-sports events to new levels of engagement and enjoyment.
E-learning
In the realm of education, 5G Broadcast offers the potential to reliably deliver virtual classrooms to students, even in the most remote areas. This capability ensures that educational opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of geographic location.
Online commerce
For e-commerce, 5G Broadcast can significantly enhance the online shopping experience, making it more efficient and enjoyable for both consumers and businesses.
Video on demand
In the streaming era, users expect high-quality services with minimal buffering and rendering issues. 5G Broadcast can improve video-on-demand services by offloading up to 35 per cent of traffic from mobile networks, enhancing the experience for both 5G Broadcast users and non-users alike.
Trials and deployments globally
5G Broadcast is still in its early stages globally, with investments remaining limited and largely focused on planning, testing and trial phases under temporary special licenses.
Since 2019, GSA has tracked at least 23 trials or pilots across 12 countries or territories, showcasing the growing interest in this technology despite its nascent status. There are some notable examples of 5G Broadcast investments from different regions around the world.
The United States has been making strides towards 5G Broadcast trials. In July 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a special authorisation for WWOO-LD, a low-power TV station in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, to transmit programming and data over 5G. This authorisation is part of the FCC’s broader strategy to evaluate the viability of a 5G broadcast infrastructure. The network aims to provide data and emergency alerts to first responders while also transmitting traditional video content.
Spain has also ventured into 5G Broadcast. In July 2021, Television de Galicia, a Spanish public television channel, became the first in the country to carry out a live broadcast using 5G technology. The connectivity for this broadcast was provided by Telefonica, with Nokia supplying the necessary equipment for the 5G radio infrastructure. This event marked a significant milestone in Spain’s exploration of 5G Broadcast capabilities. Meanwhile, Germany has been at the forefront of 5G Broadcast experimentation. In October 2019, the 5G Today research project was launched, making Germany the first country to transmit linear TV using 5G Broadcast. The trial, conducted at two transmitter sites in Bavaria, aimed to study the efficient distribution of TV channels for future mobile 5G device reception. Consequently, in May 2024, the German media authority Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt initiated a tender for a pilot project focused on distributing TV channels using 5G Broadcast in the city of Halle.
Bottomline
According to GSA, 5G Broadcast has the potential to provide a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional mobile video streaming. However, its business viability remains uncertain, requiring further trials to assess its potential. While 5G Broadcast can be offered without a SIM card and even provided for free, not all content is suited for free delivery. If it is offered at no cost, a significant challenge arises in determining how providers can recoup their deployment expenses. Additionally, delivering 5G Broadcast effectively during large, congested events and clearly communicating its benefits to users presents further hurdles. As a result, the true potential of 5G Broadcasting and the opportunities it may bring in the coming years remain to be seen.
