European Market Players Join For 5G Broadcast Smartphones

Receiver profile for Europe released for review
The European 5G Broadcast handset taskforce, gathering EBU and BNE members, meets a major milestone for the introduction of smartphones with 5G Broadcast terrestrial radio and television reception functionality in Europe.

In an aim to drive the introduction of smartphones with 5G Broadcast reception in Europe, members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Broadcast Networks Europe (BNE), with the support of Qualcomm Technologies, have formed a working group to establish a common receiver profile for 5G Broadcast.

5G Broadcast Radio And Tv Summer Tests In France

Terrestrial radio and television reaching out on smartphones

France is among 20 countries where 5G Broadcast terrestrial digital radio and television (DTT) is being tested. During the Olympics and throughout this summer, TDF allows users to test smartphones equipped with a chip specially configured for this test. In the areas covered by the experiment (Paris, Nantes and Bordeaux), they can watch the France 2, France 24 and Arte public television channels on these phones, while on the move, but also listen to public radio France Bleu and France Info.

France is emerging as a significant test bed for 5G Broadcast, with hundreds of mobile phones available in hands of experts and consumers. Karim El Naggar, general manager of audiovisual and networks at the TDF group: We plan to make DTT accessible on mobile within three years, and thus meet the needs of younger people in terms of content consumption. We are delighted to collaborate with various publishers, including France Télévisions, for this live test which underlines our commitment to maintaining DTT and spreading its service offering to a wider audience.

DRM Becoming the Major Digital Radio Platform in Asia

(picture: Redtech.pro)

China reaffirms need for digital audio in all domestic cars

After securing the huge Indian broadcasting market the digital terrestrial radio system DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) now is strongly positioning itself  in the Chinese domestic market. This will leave DAB  -the other European system - further far behind on the global market.  

According to RedTech.pro the Chinese National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly met specifically on the provision of audio and video in cars. NRTA and MIIT promoted the inclusion of digital receivers with DRM (and the domestic system CDR) in all domestically produced and imported vehicles to be sold on the domestic market. Last year in their joint letter the Chinese authorities also expressed the intention to accelerate the construction of digital radio broadcasting coverage networks with digital AM broadcasting (DRM) transmission systems at local medium wave transmission stations. 

DAB Radio Without Any Government Support in Sweden

Politicians reject demands for DAB expansion for public broadcaster.  FM will remain as the major platform for radio.

The Public Service Committee, with representatives from all eight parties in the parliament, has now submitted its final report to the Minister of Culture. On many issues there was disagreement between the government side and the opposition, however, not regarding the question of a DAB expansion for public broadcaster Sveriges Radio (SR). All parties remained cold-hearted to break a 30-year stalemate regarding the DAB system as an alternative to terrestrial FM radio. Now, this might be the beginning of an end for DAB in Sweden. The public service channels have more than a 65 percent share of the radio audience. 

First Terrestrial 5G Broadcast Opens to General Public in Boston

5G Broadcast experimental  FCC licences in the US

XGen Network ( XGN), a network operator for US 5G Broadcasting TV stations, has announced the launch of the first solution for the general public to receive an over-the-air 5G Broadcast signal on an SDR (software defined radio) with downloadable software. The SDR software will enable, to begin with ham radio operators, the ability to receive WWOO’s Boston over-the-air 5G Broadcast signal. 

5G Broadcast - Ready For Global Launch 2024

The Universal Radio and Television Mobility Platform 

 The LTE-based 5G Terrestrial Broadcast System or ”5G Broadcast” might soon disrupt and replace terrestrial digital broadcasting models as DVB-T2 and DAB writes the Public Service Council (Sweden) in a report.

In 2024 there are 7 billion smartphones in the world. Global 5G mobile subscriptions are projected to reach 1.6 billion by the end of 2023. The smartphone is a versatile communication tool. More than previously anticipated it is now becoming the most important platform for radio and television listening and viewing. Video and audio streaming (including radio and television channels) is now taking approximately 75% of the global Internet capacity.

Media content is increasingly being delivered on Internet via fixed line and mobile IP networks. Audiences on the move will consume OTT (Over-the-top) broadband media. OTT as a platform for radio and television already is outpacing DTT (DVB-T2) and DAB-radio via smartphones and Connected Cars via fixed and mobile broadband as well WiFi access.