Empowering Every Story: The Promise of 5G Broadcast for Live Streaming
FROM THE EDITOR
Empowering Every Story: The Promise of 5G Broadcast for Live Streaming
It was incredible to be part of NAB New York this year. Among the many conversations and innovations on display, one theme stood out — how 5G Broadcast is redefining live streaming by bringing content directly to where our attention already is: our smartphones.
Across the world, countless smaller sports, cultural events, and local stories thrive on passion but often struggle with visibility. Without major sponsorships or costly streaming deals, many never reach audiences beyond their immediate circles. 5G Broadcast changes that equation. By delivering live, high-quality content directly to smartphones — without relying on data, Wi-Fi, or individual streams — it gives these creators and communities a new, scalable voice.
This is more than convenience; it’s transformation. When fans can tune in easily, viewership grows, and with it, opportunities for engagement, sponsorship, and growth. 5G Broadcast brings live storytelling to the screens we already use most, empowering content to reach people seamlessly and instantly — not through another app, but through a universal standard.
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) held its October open meeting, discussing the future of broadcast standards in the U.S. While the Commission opted against mandating a full conversion to ATSC 3.0, it is moving toward relaxing simulcast rules for broadcasters who wish to experiment with new technologies. This reinforces what many in the industry already see — that flexibility and innovation are key to future broadcast success.
At the same time, industry analysis continues to highlight that 5G Broadcast is significantly better suited for smartphones than legacy standards like ATSC 3.0. Built on the global 3GPP cellular framework, 5G Broadcast can be received natively on billions of 5G devices — without receiving additional tuner/chipset. With 3GPP Release 18 and 19 introducing Bands n112 and n113 for UHF broadcast use, the foundation for large-scale deployment is now firmly in place.
As FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr aptly said during the meeting, “Local broadcasters have unique insights into what works best in their communities.” 5G Broadcast embodies that philosophy — a technology designed not to replace, but to empower broadcasters, enabling them to deliver content efficiently, equitably, and directly to the devices we carry every day.
(Editor, 5G Broadcast Collective)
ARTICLES
5G Broadcast Called Potential 'Force Multiplier' For Industry
Advocates of federal policies to support 5G Broadcast said the technology can help cellular networks by offloading technology that uses 5G to broadcast television, and other content is not "in competition with mobile networks" but a complement to them.Working together, 5G and mobile network operators could also "unlock new monetization models" and help bring everything from live video to emergency alerts to people in underserved areas, the group argued.
Sports Broadcasting Technology Market Is Projected To Grow USD 154.84 Billion by 2035
Sports Broadcasting Technology Market is witnessing a rapid transformation, driven by rising global demand for high-quality, interactive sports content. Key drivers fueling market growth include technological innovation, rising OTT platform adoption, and the increasing appetite for immersive viewing experiences.Recent industry developments underscore the rapid evolution of sports broadcasting technologies
Satellite vs 5G Broadcast: Which will come out ahead for Direct-to-Device?
5G Broadcasts have the upper hand in dense urban areas and function independently of the mobile broadband network. With a dedicated broadcast spectrum, it is an HTHP (High-Tower-High-Power), terrestrial network solution that can send a stream to millions of users simultaneously. Beyond just benefitting users, it is also a more cost-efficient option for MNOs especially when it comes to major events. Even if there is mass congestion, user experience won’t deteriorate, so high-speed connectivity is always guaranteed. In conclusion, it is likely that there won’t be a clear-cut winner in this battle, but rather a convergence of the two options.
The World Aligns with 3GPP: Why 5G Broadcast Is Outpacing ATSC 3.0
5G Broadcast is advancing globally, while ATSC 3.0 struggles to keep pace. ATSC 3.0 continues to express concerns about its inability to be received by commercially available cell phones. In contrast, the world is aligning with 3GPP standards, which is why cell phones function seamlessly in nearly every location. One common world standard is key.
EVENTS
CES 2026
Jan 06 - Jan 09
We'll be back at CES in 2026. Mark your calendars and reach out to us to schedule meetings at the show
IBC 2026
Sep 11 - Sep 14
We'll be bacl at IBC 2026. Meet us at our Booth 1.F37; mark your calendars and reach out to us to schedule meetings at the show