State of Play: 5G Broadcast Enters Its Readiness Phase
FROM THE EDITOR
November 29, 2025
As we move through November, the industry enters a quieter news cycle — but not a stagnant one. While major announcements tend to cluster around big conventions and regulatory meetings earlier in the year, this moment offers something just as valuable: a clear look at where 5G Broadcast stands today, how far we’ve come, and what the next milestones are as global deployments move steadily closer.
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:
Standards work is nearly complete for the first mass deployment phase.
With Release 19 locking in features like Bands 112/113 and time-frequency interleaving, the technical foundation for robust mobile reception — including high-speed vehicular use — is solid.
Broadcast network operators in Europe continue preparing sites and planning large-scale transitions. Many are now working through coverage modeling, cost-efficiency analysis, tower upgrades, and device-compatibility planning.
Device ecosystem timelines remain stable, with Qualcomm-based 5G Broadcast–enabled phones expected to begin commercial availability starting in 2027/28.
Collectively, these steps paint a picture of an industry not experimenting anymore, but building. As we close the last major quarter of the year, one thing is clearer than ever: 5G Broadcast is no longer a theoretical future. It is a technology whose ecosystem, standards, and business models are now maturing in parallel
(Editor, 5G Broadcast Collective)
ARTICLES
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At the NAB NY Show in early October 2025, DigiCAP and Castanet 5G (C5G) showcased something the broadcast industry has been theorizing about for years: seamless integration of 5G Broadcast into ATSC 3.0 infrastructure. In a private demonstration, we at DigiCAP helped C5G insert 5G Broadcast frames directly into the gaps generated by an ATSC 3.0 modulator.
White paper: 5G Broadcast should form a cornerstone in the modernisation of Digital Terrestrial Television
Enabling compatible smartphones to receive linear television programmes without Wi-fi, 5G Broadcast enables pluralistic, regulated and secure service provision while reducing energy consumption, said the group. It is also expected to widen reach across younger demographics by adapting to their consumption patterns. Research undertaken for TDF by Kantar highlighted strong interest in France for watching live TV on mobile devices, particularly among the 15-49 age group.
DTT adoption climbs in Germany driven by mobile viewing
Digital terrestrial television (DTT) is becoming increasingly popular in Germany, with usage rising sharply thanks to renewed growth in mobile viewing. According to a new study from Kantar commissioned by DTT platform operator Media Broadcast, 18% of German households now watch television using the country’s DVB-T2 network. This marks a 21% increase compared with the previous survey in 2023.
Finland to end standard definition broadcasts
Finland’s HD transition is entering a final phase with standard definition commercial TV channels ending broadcasts via terrestrial and cable on 30 June, 2025. Finland to end standard definition broadcasts.
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