The Future Is Broadcasting — Directly to You

Jul 18

FROM THE EDITOR

Over the last two weeks, 5G Broadcast continues to made strides towards reality. With a growing industry voice and clear movement in regulatory, technical, and strategic domains, the road ahead looks sharper than ever.

In US, FCC’s ongoing review of the HC2 petition—which proposes officially recognizing 5G Broadcast as a next-gen TV standard in the U.S.—has garnered strong interest across sectors. As comment submissions remain open, the policy conversation is gaining depth, with stakeholders aligning around the urgency for flexible, forward-compatible broadcast standards. The ripples this continues to create are shaping how both industry and regulators are positioning for the future.

Across the Atlantic, the Broadcast Networks Europe (BNE) released its long-term vision document, detailing how terrestrial broadcasting—including 5G Broadcast—is essential for resilient media distribution. The paper reinforces industry readiness and strategic importance, especially when it comes to datacasting use cases like public warning systems, real-time updates for connected cars, and software updates over broadcast.

Germany’s public broadcaster ARD has decided to pause its 5G Broadcast rollout plans. While this may seem like a setback at first glance, the broader ecosystem remains active and committed. Media Broadcast, a key infrastructure provider and long-time supporter of 5G Broadcast, has reaffirmed its commitment to the technology—highlighting its importance for long-term European communication strategies and public service delivery.

The mobile revolution isn’t just about devices—it’s about keeping broadcasting relevant in a world where attention, infrastructure, and audiences have all gone mobile. Whether you're tracking regulatory shifts, commercial trials, or infrastructure roadmaps, the conclusion is the same: industries gearing up for 5G Broadcast—and the transformation is underway.

Mehul Agarwal

(Editor, 5G Broadcast Collective)

ARTICLES

Terrestrial Broadcasting for Europe’s Digital Future-BNE Long Term Vision

With its trusted free-to-air content, terrestrial television and radio are essential to European life. As the EU enters a new mandate, urgent action is needed to support innovation and to secure long-term access to the UHF spectrum (470–694 MHz). Terrestrial broadcasting ensures universal access to viewers, reinforces sovereign infrastructure, and sustains Europe’s vibrant content sector. It is essential to media pluralism, democracy, and cultural diversity.

Media Broadcast will stick to 5G Broadcast

The most important player in Germany is expected to be the technology company Media Broadcast. As opposed to teltarif, the people of Cologne have now confirmed their intention to not retire from the technology, unlike ARD. "Media Broadcast has intensively supported the rollout of 5G Broadcast in Germany and Europe in the past and will continue to do everything together with their international partners to implement this forward-looking technology," the company said.

Future of Local TV Hinges on Mobile Revolution and a Collaborative Path

In the US a pivotal debate is underway at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with low-power television (LPTV) stations asserting that the future of local broadcasting depends on embracing 5G Broadcast as a direct path to the mobile-first world. This position stands in contrast to the National Association of Broadcasters' (NAB) recently intensified push urging the FCC to implement a mandatory nationwide transition to ATSC 3.0 for full-power stations by 2030 and require ATSC 3.0 tuners in all new TV sets.

ARD halt 5G Broadcast development, top EU broadcasters on track

The decision by ARD, the German broadcasters’ working group, to halt 5G Broadcast (5G-B) development in the country after years of testing has not dented enthusiasm among some other leading continental European broadcasters, which remain committed to commercial deployment – around 2027.

ARD decides against 5G Broadcast introduction

German public broadcaster ARD has decided not to adopt the new 5G Broadcast standard for the time being, although it has not ruled out introducing the technology at a later date. “At present, ARD has decided against investing in the new 5G Broadcast transmission technology but still considers a future rollout possible,” an ARD spokesperson confirmed.

EVENTS