Beyond the Lab: 5G Broadcast Builds Experience
FROM THE EDITOR
July 31, 2026
The most practical argument for 5G Broadcast is resilient public alerting—where traditional cellular networks risk congestion during peak emergencies.
In Estonia, state broadcast infrastructure operator Levira has partnered with Big Blue Marble to deploy the Nakolos platform for "Pocket Siren". Rather than a theoretical exercise, the project is a field test evaluating direct tower-to-device emergency notifications under live conditions—testing real-world system behavior.
Hardware Workflows: Shared Transport Streams at SET Expo
Ahead of SET Expo 2026 in São Paulo, Rohde & Schwarz announced plans to showcase an integrated next-generation ecosystem showing how broadcasters can streamline upstream operations across multiple standards.
By leveraging a shared Studio to Transmitter Link Transport Protocol (STLTP) feed provided by Speedcast, the planned demonstration simultaneously feeds both Brazil’s DTV+ (MIMO setup) and a complete 5G Broadcast transmission chain in parallel. The 5G Broadcast signal delivers live streams directly to commercial mobile devices, such as the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra—validating that station operators can co-locate new delivery standards within a unified workflow without duplicating upstream encoding and transport infrastructure.
Infrastructure Alignment for 3GPP Release 19
On the network strategy front, Castanet’s "Broadcast Internet" initiative, led by Vern Fotheringham, is targeting long-term positioning for low-power TV (LPTV) operators through a hybrid ATSC 3.0 and 5G Broadcast architecture.
By aligning deployment plans with 3GPP Release 19 specifications, Castanet’s approach allows LPTV operators to multiplex 5G Broadcast signals alongside ATSC 3.0 within shared 6 MHz spectrum. This strategy tries to balance immediate compliance with current FCC regulations while seamlessly connecting operators to the global 3GPP ecosystem. Ultimately, the initiative builds out the underlying topology for data delivery and linear streams —laying the ground network as Release 19-compliant receivers continue to evolve.
What’s the 5G Broadcast application you’re watching most closely right now—public safety, live sports, or something else entirely? Hit reply and let us know!
(Editor, 5G Broadcast Collective)
ARTICLES
Levira picks Nakolos platform from Big Blue Marble for 5G broadcast public warning tests
Estonian company Levira has chosen the Nakolos platform from Big Blue Marble (BBM) for the Pocket Siren project in Estonia. The Nakolos platform formed a key part of a large-scale public warning initiative designed to evaluate how 5G Broadcast performs across a variety of real-world scenarios. Nakolos delivers the 5G Broadcast core, service management, mobile applications, SDKs and the integration expertise.
Rohde & Schwarz To Showcase Unified DTV+ And 5G Broadcast Ecosystem
Rohde & Schwarz will unveil its latest next‑generation broadcast innovations at SET Expo 2026, underlining its role as a key technology partner for Brazil's DTV+ rollout. On stand 52 in São Paulo from 17 to 20 August 2026, the company will demonstrate an integrated ecosystem spanning both DTV+ and 5G Broadcast, with live, end‑to‑end transmissions designed to show how emerging standards can boost operational efficiency and support sustainable, future‑proof investment in transmitter networks.
Building the Broadcast Internet: Why Castanet Chose Hybrid ATSC 3.0 + 5G Broadcast
Our approach time-multiplexes ATSC 3.0 and 5G Broadcast onto the same RF channel—typically a 6 MHz Low-Power TV (LPTV) allocation. The result is a single overlay network that carries both traditional and local content and high-capacity, direct-to-device delivery of live streams, video-on-demand, and AI-generated media. It is fully compliant with existing FCC rules, aligned with 3GPP standards, and designed for the moment 5G Broadcast becomes a native capability in mainstream handsets.
LTE and 5G Broadcast Market Outlook 2026-2034: Industry Size, Trends & Growth
IMARC Group, a leading global market research and management consulting firm, has published its latest market intelligence report on the LTE and 5G broadcast market. The global LTE and 5G broadcast market size was valued at USD 927.0 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1,890.6 Million by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.08% during the forecast period 2026-2034. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to witness a robust growth trajectory, driven by surging mobile video traffic, expanding live sports streaming, the rise of connected vehicles, and growing smart-city emergency alert systems across major economies worldwide.
EVENTS
