» 5G was responsible for helping to deliver seamless coverage of Paris 2024. This allowed for multi- angle 8K streaming and showcased the potential for enhanced viewer engagement «
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.”
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