5G Mobile Broadband and 5G Broadcast should be combined
The European Broadcasting Union has published a comprehensive report which emphasizes that, technically, 5G may be able to meet the distribution requirements of both public service and commercial media providers if a combination of 5G Mobile Broadband and 5G Broadcast is used.
Media organizations have evolved their distribution to include IP-based services with linear as well as nonlinear and catch-up content. Portable and mobile devices such as smartphone and tablets play an increasing role for the consumption of media content and services in the home, as well as on the move. This report elaborates on the potential of 5G to facilitate the distribution of the whole range of public service media services to portable and mobile devices.
The report addresses 5G network deployment opportunities for the distribution of media services. Even though the media industry successfully engaged in the standardization of 5G, in particular 5G Broadcast, this does not guarantee that all standardized features will inevitably be implemented in 5G networks and devices. The scope and timing of market deployment of a particular feature are largely driven by the existing or expected market demand.
This report elaborates on those issues which need to be resolved to bring the new technology to the market. These are related to technology, network infrastructure, regulation including spectrum and business arrangements between different stakeholders. Possible actions to support the use of 5G technology in the media industry and to verify the market demand for specific features are identified.
In the report you will find among several issues 5G deployment opportunities for the distribution of media content and services, first for 5G Broadcast, then for 5G Mobile Broadband in a broader sense. The report includes an analysis looking to which extent 5G may be able to fulfill the requirements in the distribution of different types of audio-visual media services.
The sub-700 MHz (470 – 694 MHz) band would be a candidate band for the introduction of 5G Broadcast, as it is allocated to the broadcast service.
The main conclusions emphasize the fact that, technically, 5G may be able to meet the distribution requirements of both public service and commercial media providers if a combination of 5G Mobile Broadband and 5G Broadcast is used. To achieve this in practice, collaboration between stakeholders across the media value chain is required.
The report is a result of collaboration between stakeholders in the media sector, including public and commercial broadcasters, broadcast and telecom network operators, equipment manufacturers, and technology providers.
Download the EBU tech report 054
Also read
