Untethered Live HD Broadcasting Is Going Global with 5G

Coupling 5G technology with the high-bandwidth spectrum can lead to more camera angles for the viewer from a variety of locations at live events to make them feel like they are in the  middle of the action. Using 5G-enabled wireless cameras eliminates the long, cumbersome cables that connect the HD cameras back to onsite broadcast production equipment. The untethered cameras allow reporters and producers to quickly move to new vantage points to capture and deliver compelling live shots.

To help improve the flexibility and reachability of high-definition video cameras, 5G offers the technology that meets the throughput and low-latency requirements for real-time video broadcasting. Wireless operators, video producers, and sports broadcast networks are exploring these options today.

The first 5G-enabled sporting event occurred at a global winter event in 2018. While broadcasting was not the primary purpose of 5G at this event, the Samsung-powered 5G network equipment and devices demonstrated how speed and low-latency could provide real-time, 360-degree video of athletes as they competed.

Samsung went to the next level by partnering with GSMA to demonstrate the promises of live broadcasting with 5G during Mobile World Congress 2019, the premier industry event in Barcelona. During the event, Samsung’s 5G products provided the connectivity between high definition video cameras and GSMA’s “Mobile World Live TV” production studio that produced the live broadcast programming for the week-long event. Mobile World Live distributed live high-definition streams of interviews, keynotes, and featured events to big screens throughout the venue and hotel rooms in more than 280 hotels in Barcelona. During one segment, Mobile World Live performed a side-by-side comparison of broadcasting a live 5G stream with a live 4G stream, which displayed 5G’s much lower latency and higher resolution imagery.

During the summer of 2019, operators in Korea and the US began demonstrating 5G broadcast capabilities. In June, SKT was first to broadcast by providing golf coverage at four picturesque holes during the SK Telecom Open  in Incheon. The video cameras on the course used SKT’s 5GX modems to stream five hours per day of live coverage over SK Telecom’s 5G network for distribution over JTBC’s dedicated Golf TV channel and OTT-video-service oksuku.

In July, AT&T partnered with ESPN to deliver a courtside viewing experience during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Using AT&T’s 5G network and, six Samsung Galaxy S10 5G smartphones transmitted live courtside game action via the AT&T 5G network to ESPN’s broadcast center. The broadcast was  distributed around the world via the ESPN App, NBA TV Canada, and the NBA League Pass.

In the fall of 2019, Verizon joined the 5G broadcasting game with its NFL partnership announcement.  With their 5G Ultra Wideband network, Verizon currently covers seventeen NFL stadiums and seven other indoor sporting and entertainment venues in the US, In December 2019, Verizon, Sony, and NBC teamed up to demonstrate the capabilities of a 5G-connected video camera for broadcast purposes at an NFL game in Houston over mmWave spectrum. Sony’s specially-equipped video cameras on the field sent live streams via the  Verizon’s 5G mmWave powered network to the on-site NBC production facilities. Sony and Verizon both stated that these 5G-connected wireless cameras provided the high-quality and low-latency video needed in real-time broadcasting.

Verizon also demonstrated immersive real-time experiences for fans at Super Bowl LIV. Fans with 5G-capable devices and the NFL OnePass app enjoyed access to a new multi-camera-angle streaming feature. Using the NFL OnePass app, fans in the stadium streamed live action from any of five different field-level camera angles along the sidelines. They could also rewind and view instant replays from any of these angles. Fans also could use augmented reality to see real-time stats “on the screen” as they viewed the video stream.

5G makes these immersive capabilities possible due to its high-bandwidth and low latency capabilities that are not possible with 4G networks due to bandwidth and latency constraints.

In 2020, we will continue to see the adoption of 5G by the broadcasting industry and watch how producers leverage 5G to provide interactive live-coverage experiences.

The power of broadcasting lies with immediate engagement and interaction with viewers, and the network that broadcasts a live channel should be able to support the seamless transmission of high-quality, large-capacity content to televisions and other electronic devices without experiencing latency. Samsung’s 5G is delivering these capabilities and more.

Samsung is the only company that really understands the true promise of 5G. It takes a lot to make 5G work from chipsets, network equipment, and security; not to mention the devices to connect to the network, like smartphones, smart TVs, and appliances. Samsung continues to take all of that knowledge and create new innovative technology to deliver on the immersive experience and other capabilities powered by 5G.

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