As CES wrapped up last week, I found myself reflecting on the conversations that defined the show. It was inspiring to engage with such a diverse group of innovators — all focused on building technologies that genuinely improve how we live, work, play and stay connected.

In the US, 2026 starts off with Tyche Media, licensee of WCRN, Boston, and Milachi Media, licensee of WWOO, Boston, both applying to the FCC for experimental 5G Broadcast licenses in anticipation of fully licensed 5G Broadcast facilities in 2026. The combined station coverage is 8,386,887 people.

The next phase for the US deployment involves a network rollout of 10, 5G Broadcast enabled television stations covering over 40 million people plus various single 5G Broadcast network affiliates throughout the US.

As the year comes to a close, 5G Broadcast continued its steady transition from experimentation to structured industry planning, with clear signals of long-term commitment across standards bodies, broadcasters, and technology providers.

A major milestone this year was the advancement of coordinated industry planning in Europe. The 5G Broadcast Strategic Task Force (5BSTF) brought together leading broadcast network operators and technology partners to define a clear commercial roadmap targeting initial deployments around 2027. This effort reflects growing consensus on how 5G Broadcast can be introduced sustainably and at scale.

The defining theme of late 2025 is readiness. Across broadcasters, mobile ecosystem players, and regulators, the focus has shifted from exploratory trials to the infrastructure, standards work, and device integration needed to support real-world rollout. Here’s where things stand today:

As the 5G Broadcast ecosystem accelerates, one question stands at the center of every discussion — what will implementation actually look like for the public? The answer is closer than many realize. From home connectivity to emergency communication to immersive viewing, 5G Broadcast is steadily preparing to enter daily life.

Across the world, countless smaller sports and local events have the passion, the players, and the fans — but not the visibility. Without big sponsorships or costly streaming deals, many of these stories never reach a wider audience. 5G Broadcast changes that equation. By streaming live content directly to smartphones, without needing mobile data, Wi-Fi, or expensive streaming platforms, it gives these these games and stories a direct path to the viewer.

A recurring question raised by skeptics of 5G Broadcast—especially among proponents of older standards like ATSC 3.0—is whether Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) will ever allow 5G Broadcast to succeed. The claim that MNOs “control the market” and would block new technologies often overlooks one essential truth: 5G Broadcast is not in competition with mobile networks—it complements them.

Momentum for 5G Broadcast continues to accelerate with significant demonstrations in Europe and new exploration in Asia. Together, these developments showcase both the maturity of the technology and the growing interest in its global adoption.

At the recent IEEE meeting, Brazil’s Minister of Communications announced that the country is actively experimenting with 5G Broadcast. This marks an important step in Latin America’s exploration of next-generation broadcasting, adding Brazil to the growing list of nations preparing to unlock the benefits of one-to-many connectivity for public safety, education, and media delivery.

IBC 2025 is just around the corner, and this year, 5G Broadcast is stepping into the spotlight as the next-generation technology set to transform the broadcast and communications landscape. From redefining content delivery to unlocking new business models, 5G Broadcast is no longer just an idea—it’s becoming a global movement.

Estonia recently conducted a large-scale national test using 5G Broadcast for emergency alert delivery. The exercise demonstrated how broadcast technology can transmit real-time instructions directly to smartphones without relying on the internet or cellular networks.