5G Broadcast + MNOs = A Force Multiplier
FROM THE EDITOR
January 17, 2026
5G Broadcast + MNOs = A Force Multiplier
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.
For many people I met, 5G Broadcast was new. Coming from the traditional TV broadcast world, it wasn’t initially on their radar. But once the concept clicked, the value became immediately clear. We moved quickly from “What is it?” to “How can we use it?” — exploring practical applications not just for reliable data delivery, but also for creating entirely new business models and service opportunities.
What stood out most at CES was how naturally the conversation shifted toward collaboration. Broadcasters, mobile operators, chipset vendors, and application developers all see the same future: a hybrid world where broadcast and cellular technologies work together — each doing what they do best.
5G Broadcast brings scale, efficiency, and resilience.
MNOs bring interactivity, uplink, personalization, and mobility.
Together, they create something far more powerful than either could alone.
Recent events, like the Verizon network outage, are an important reminder: no system — no matter how advanced — is immune to disruption. The real question is not 'if' outages happen, but 'when'. What matters most is how prepared we are when they do.
This is exactly where 5G Broadcast fits into the broader connectivity ecosystem. 5G Broadcast doesn’t compete with mobile networks — it strengthens them.
In moments of crisis or congestion, 5G Broadcast can:
Deliver critical alerts and updates instantly to everyone, even when cellular networks are strained or unavailable.
Offload massive amounts of data from cellular systems, allowing MNOs to restore core services faster.
Support secure communications for first responders and defense services with encrypted broadcast delivery.
Distribute live audio, video, and data simultaneously to millions — without consuming mobile bandwidth.
5G Broadcast acts as a resilient downlink layer — working with MNOs to ensure continuity, safety, and scale.
The future of connectivity isn’t about one technology winning — it’s about technologies working in harmony. If you’d like to explore what this collaboration could look like in your world — whether for public safety, media, enterprise, or new consumer services — I’d love to continue the conversation.
(Editor, 5G Broadcast Collective)
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