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5G Today
getting ready
for tomorrow’s
viewing habits
Running from July 1 last year to
October 31 next year, a 5G test site
for broadcasting has been set up in
the Bavarian Oberland as part of
the 5G Today project, funded by
the Bavarian Research Foundation.
Under the leadership of the
Institute for Broadcast Technology
(IRT), project partners Katherin and
Rohde & Schwarz are investigat-
ing large-scale TV broadcasts in
the Further evolved Multimedia
Broadcast Multicast Ser vice
(FeMBMS) mode over 5G networks.
The project is also supported
by associate partners Telefónica
Germany and Bayerischer Rundfunk
(BR), the Bavarian state broadcaster
who is operating the 5G FeMBMS
broadcast network as a test site at
its transmitter sites.
Jochen Mezger, general man-
ager, business area network tech-
nologies, IRT, said: “Together with
EBU, BBC, RAI and SWR, and indus-
try partners, we have defined the
broadcasting requirements for 5G
and successfully incorporated them
in the international standard.
“Requirements include a 100%
broadcasting mode and increased
channel spacing. We are pleased
that the 5G Today project allows us
to implement and evaluate stand-
ardisation results at a test site.”
Where Rohde & Schwarz is
concerned, the company is con-
tributing technological expertise
in terrestrial transmitter technology
and mobile communications T&M
technology in order to create the
basis for efficiently transmitting
media content to mobile and port-
able devices, Manfred Reitmeier,
senior director of R&D transmitter
systems, Rohde & Schwarz, told
APB.
He continued: “The 5G Today
project offered to test the network
with the existing broadcasting
infrastructure. Large and smaller
transmitter cells are combined to
create a large coverage area.”
The first test broadcasts using
TV signals are expected to take
place at the end of this year, and
will be simultaneously broadcast on
channel 56 from BR’s Wendelstein
station and other locations in the
Munich area. Until then, com-
ponents for transmission and
reception will be developed and
installed, and theoretical studies
and preliminary investigations will
take place, added Reitmeier.
He also observed how 5G is a
“key technology” for the future,
when vehicles become highly auto-
mated and devices are networked
with each other in the Internet of
Things (IoT). “5G also offers great
potential for efficient distribution
of media content; young people, in
particular, want to receive broad-
cast content on all user devices.
“The introduction of 5G could
April 2018
Running from July 1 this year to October 31 next year, a 5G test site
for broadcasting has been set up in the Bavarian Oberland as part of
the 5G Today project.
open up a worldwide market
with millions of smartphones
and tablets acting as potential
TV receivers able to combine live
TV services, media libraries, social
networks and many other media
services.”
Reitmeier also painted a sce-
nario where the viewer will have
access to continuous, and con-
tiguous, content throughout the
day — regardless of what device
is available.
“5G central controllers will
know that the viewer is sitting in
his driverless car, watching a game
on the car’s TV. Then, he’ll park
his car and switch to watching on
his mobile phone, which could be
connected via 5G. And then, as
he walks into his house, he can
swipe the game from his phone to
the 4K/Ultra HD (UHD) or maybe
8K TV.”
Race along with the new F1 app
To bring fans closer to the action on the track,
Formula 1 (F1) has launched the new F1 TV mobile
app.
Starting with the 2018 season, fans will be able to
experience the live race action in a more immersive
and engaging way through 20 driver cameras, and
have the freedom to choose which part of the action
they want to follow at any given moment on- or
off-track. Practice sessions and qualifiers will also be
offered live, along with press conferences, pre- and
post-race interviews.
As the Official Connectivity Provider to F1, Tata
Communications is powering the F1 TV mobile app
through its Ultra Live Video Delivery Network (VDN).
These VDN capabilities are underpinned by Tata
Communications’ global network, which minimises
latency for video content and ensures an immersive,
high-quality entertainment experience for fans, said
Tata Communications.
Frank Arthofer, director of digital and new busi-
ness at F1, said: “With the launch of F1 TV, we are
beginning on the journey to build a cornerstone of
our digital transformation. F1 TV subscription prod-
ucts are clearly and centrally aimed at our hardest
core fans, and we are firm believers that while we
are bringing a new audience to the sport, we must
always remain focused on delivering products and
experiences that serve the most avid F1 fans.
“Our objective with F1 TV is simple: provide
these fans with the best available service to watch
live Grand Prix and provide them with the best
sports over-the-top (OTT) customer experience in
the world. Our team and our partners are singularly
focused on delivering on that vision — not just for
launch but over the long term. Live streaming video
is an exciting space changing almost daily.”