The demonstration utilised duplex gap broadcasting, providing strong and widespread coverage without causing any interference to regular 5G cellular traffic or digital broadcasting, according to a statement by Rohde & Schwarz.

Earlier in summer, Brazil’s president announced the country would transition to a TV 3.0 digital ecosystem. The transition is underpinned by Article 4 of the Brazilian Presidential Decree, which allows for the adoption of complementary technologies to enable mobile broadcasting. 5G Broadcast allows for the reception of broadcast television directly on enabled mobile devices.

For the demonstration, Rohde & Schwarz installed an R&S TLU9 transmitter connected to an EFTX antenna at the transmission complex on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo. Local service provider LM Telecomunicações managed the implementation and Qualcomm Technologies provided a test device and expertise. The 5G Broadcast stream was received on Motorola Razr 50 and Moto Edge Plus handsets.

The signal proved to be robust not only inside SET Expo at the Centro de Convenções, approximately 5km from the transmitter site in central São Paulo, but also across the busy streets between the two locations, according to the statement. Significantly, after a month of continuous operation, no interference with existing mobile networks was reported.

“This demonstration confirms that 5G Broadcast is a viable solution for delivering mobile television and a range of value-added services without impacting existing services,” said Thiago Nakagawa, Head of Rohde & Schwarz Broadcast in Brazil.

Lorenzo Casaccia, Vice President, Technical Standards at Qualcomm Europe, added: “Qualcomm Technologies is proud to collaborate with industry leaders like Rohde & Schwarz and Motorola on this successful 5G Broadcast demonstration. This showcases the potential of 5G Broadcast to deliver a rich and engaging mobile experience to consumers in Brazil.”

Martin Errante, LatAm Portfolio Director at Motorola, said: “Motorola is committed to innovation in mobile technology, and 5G Broadcast represents a significant step forward. In collaboration with Qualcomm and Rohde & Schwarz, Motorola reaffirms its leadership in innovation by conducting tests with specially prepared equipment to validate the technology, highlighting our commitment to delivering cutting-edge connectivity experiences for the future.”

Half of this time is spent on ad-funded services, corresponding to roughly 50 minutes daily. Consumption is particularly high among younger audiences, where global platforms dominate. This is presented in Mediavision’s new analysis of ad-funded online video.

Swedes spend 100 minutes per day watching online video, with half of that time being dedicated to ad-funded content – placing Sweden firmly at the top in the Nordics in both total video consumption and ad-funded viewing. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and TV4 Play account for a significant share of viewing.

“Ad-funded online video currently represents half of Swedes’ online video viewing time. The trend indicates that advertising is playing an increasingly prominent role in the Swedish video landscape, and all signs suggest this development will continue,” said Fredrik Liljeqvist, Senior Analyst at Mediavision.

There are, however, notable differences across audience segments. Younger viewers show significantly higher interest in video services that include advertising. Among 15–34-year-olds, usage of such services is much higher compared to the rest of the population. TikTok illustrates the largest gap: one-third of people in this age group use the platform on an average day – which is twice the share compared to the total population.

“The Swedish video market is undergoing rapid change. Full-paid subscriptions are no longer growing at the same pace, and instead it’s ad-funded models driving the development forward. Younger consumers are leading the way. This is leading to major shifts in competition, with global players capturing an increasing share of the growth,” Liljeqvist concluded.

Building on the success of its pilot project in Halle (Saale), the company presents the technology in a real-world setting, targeting high-demand locations like train stations.

Media Broadcast and public broadcaster NDR lead the event, delivering a live presentation of 5G Broadcast technology. Vantage Towers, Media Broadcast’s infrastructure partner, is also involved in the live demo set up for a closed user group.

With this installation at Hamburg Central Station, Media Broadcast moves 5G Broadcast beyond the laboratory, proving its practical use for commuters and travellers. The ability to provide live TV and media content directly to mobile devices without traditional mobile networks offers a seamless, data-free alternative to conventional streaming.

Demonstrating 5G Broadcast in such a high-traffic location aligns with the 2024 Kantar study on 5G Broadcast. The study finds that two-thirds of respondents view “television to go” as a viable alternative to internet streaming, particularly during waiting periods at train stations, airports, or while commuting via public transport.

5G Broadcast technology lets travellers and commuters access live content on their mobile 5G devices, such as smartphones and tablets, without using mobile data or facing network congestion. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience even in crowded areas.

“I consider 5G Broadcast a highly promising technology with numerous benefits. 5G Broadcast allows us to respond even better to changing media consumption habits. With this technology, warnings or media content can reach citizens precisely where they are,” said Heike Raab, State Secretary of the State Chancellery of federal state Rhineland-Palatinate, at the live demo.

Sascha Molina, Production Director at NDR, added: “It is crucial that we deliver our content without relying on major US corporations, directly to the devices people carry and use daily. In particular, the independent terrestrial transmission of information is indispensable in times of crisis. The global 5G Broadcast standard has the potential to combine the strengths of terrestrial broadcasting with IP technology.”

Francie Petrick, Managing Director of Media Broadcast, said: “We are witnessing a rapid evolution of 5G Broadcast as a new broadcasting transmission method. The technology moves into real-world use at precisely the locations where it is most relevant. This marks a significant step forward in bringing 5G Broadcast to the places where people gather and actively use their smartphones.”

5BSTF is an initiative created in September 2024 by Media Broadcast (MB) and TDF, two major stakeholders of the broadcasting industry in Germany and France together with German technology provider Rohde & Schwarz. The goal is to signal the 5G Broadcast market readiness and to pave the way towards the first commercial networks. Shortly after its creation, Cordiant Capital, owner of Emitel, České Radiokomunikace (CRA) and Belgium Tower Company (BTCY) joined the task force together with RAI.

The 5BSTF members identify a completely new addressable market projected to emerge from Q2 2027.

The private Broadcast Network Operators participating in the Task Force are prepared to transform part of their existing infrastructure into 5G Broadcast network connectivity, according to a statement, enabling content providers and broadcasters to deliver specific services, mainly focusing on live and linear audiovisual content.

“We are glad to see private Broadcast Network Operators participating in the Task Force are ready to leverage the existing DTT infrastructure to enable the world’s first 5G Broadcast network connectivity, hence paving the way towards the broadcasting modernisation and transforming the broadcasting business landscape,” stresses the 5BSTF team (pictured).

5G Broadcast enables a variety of new multimedia services with lower latency and Quality of Service, improving the overall consumer Quality of Experience and bringing DTT video quality into smartphones and tablets. The new broadcast technology comes with a simplified and flat infrastructure having a minimum impact on the environment with minimum CO2 emissions and lowering the barrier for users to consume zero-rated content with longer battery lifetime.

The live demo will combine an end-to-end 5G Broadcast solution with the first available off-the-shelf mobile devices from Motorola Mobility, the motorola razr 50 ultra, featuring minor software modifications to support 5G Broadcast. This synergy enables a variety of new multimedia services with lower latency and guaranteed Quality of Service, thus improving the overall Consumer Quality of Experience, according to Rohde & Schwarz.

“Consumer behaviour in smartphone media consumption is shifting, and Motorola, in collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz, is exploring the integration of advanced 5G Broadcast technology into pocketable devices like the motorola razr, potentially redefining mobile content engagement with zero-rated content,” said Mohammed Abdul-Gaffoor, Head of Motorola’s 312 Innovation Labs. “This technology offers benefits beyond mobile entertainment, enhancing emergency communication by delivering vital information across vast areas, even during disasters. Additionally, it has a low carbon footprint and can improve battery efficiency.”

5G Broadcast comes with a simplified and flat infrastructure having a minimum impact on the environment with minimum CO2 emissions and lowering the barrier for consumers to access zero-rated content with longer battery lifetime.

“We are pleased to team up with Motorola Mobility to demonstrate consumer benefits while using 5G Broadcast,” added Mohamed Aziz Taga, Business Development Manager, Rohde & Schwarz, Broadcast Applications. “The joint collaboration underlines the technology’s capability in enhancing the consumer experience with rich multimedia offerings and guaranteed services.”

In a significant step towards commercialization, the 5G Broadcast Strategic Task Force (5BSTF) – comprising TDF (France), Media Broadcast (Germany), Rohde & Schwarz (Germany), Cordiant Capital (UK), Emitel (Poland), CRA (Czech Republic), BTCO (Belgium) and RAI (Italy) is driving the development of a joint commercial roadmap across six European markets representing more than 270 million people. To discuss the latest developments, executive representatives from the 5BSTF will be present at the Rohde & Schwarz booth (5A80) during MWC 2025, offering an opportunity for attendees to engage with the task force.

The PŸUR TV app, available at no additional cost, is automatically included with all PŸUR TV HD packages. Customers can use the app to access up to 84 channels from their subscribed packages. While all channels booked via the PŸUR TV box can be viewed on mobile devices via Wi-Fi within the home, many channels – such as the public broadcasters and the channels from RTL Group – are also accessible outside the home without additional fees.

“With this app, we’re offering greater flexibility and convenience to our customers,” said Lars Lanske, Head of TV & On-Demand Products at PŸUR’s parent company Tele Columbus. “Whether relaxing on the couch, traveling by train, or sitting in a café, PŸUR TV adapts to our customers’ needs, making our services even more attractive.”

The app supports additional features already available on the PŸUR TV HD platform, such as the ability to restart live broadcasts and access programmes from the past seven days. Customers can register up to four devices and use the app on multiple devices simultaneously.

The PŸUR TV app is available for download on Apple iOS and Android devices through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Existing PŸUR TV HD customers will receive detailed information, including login credentials, from early February 2025.

NPO is the first broadcaster in the Netherlands transmitting via 5G Broadcast to demonstrate the capabilities of the technology.

The 5G Broadcast technology is ready to roll out, standardisation is practically completed, and trial operations have been underway for several years, according to NPO and Broadcast Partners, a subsidiary of telecommunications infrastructure operator Cellnex. According to the companies, the first smartphones with essential features of 5G Broadcast have already been developed and are demonstrated during IBC 2024.

NPO decided in 2023 to collaborate on 5G Broadcast activities to further define broadcast services and capabilities together with other leading broadcasters in Europe. The broadcaster is now taking the next step by demonstrating the capabilities during IBC, technically facilitated by NPO’s FM and DAB+ network services provider Broadcast Partners and the suppliers Nakolos, SYES and COM-TECH.

Two broadcaster’s two channels NPO 1 and NPO 3FM will be transmitted via the 150m high Cellnex RAI Amsterdam broadcasting tower from 13 to 16 September and will be available outdoors and indoors during the IBC 2024. In addition to the demonstration for IBC visitors at the Broadcast Partners/Cellnex stand (8.A91) and Nakolos stand 7.P46, the trial will also serve to optimise the transmission parameters for a possible future field trial, according to the partners.

“5G Broadcast is a great opportunity for implementing live video and audio into a smartphone that drastically saves mobile data usage. And although many of us rely on the internet as a lifeline, broadcast is still essential for emergency communication due to its robust independent network, its high availability and its lower vulnerability to cyber-attacks. As one of the founders of 5G-MAG we are happy to show 5G Broadcast across Amsterdam during IBC 2024,” said Jildert de Groot, Chief Technology Officer at NPO.

Sky Mobile has launched in Ireland with a ‘Price for Life’ launch plan including Unlimited calls, texts and 5G data for €15 per month.

The MNVO is also offering a range of SIM only plans and a selection of handsets from Samsung, Xiaomi and HMD.

The agreement with Vodafone represents the first new MVNO to launch in Ireland for more than a decade. The deal was originally announced in March 2022 with the anticipation the service would make its debut a year later.

“The launch of Sky Mobile marks another key milestone for Sky in Ireland and we are excited to announce its arrival here today,” said Sky’s CEO in Ireland JD Buckley. “Our launch plan for customers is Unlimited calls, texts and 5G data for €15 and that price is for life. Our Sky Mobile proposition has been built with our customers at its core – providing a service that is fair, flexible and transparent. We believe Irish mobile consumers deserve better than what is currently in the market, and we have launched Sky Mobile to fill that gap.”

Sky Mobile is pressing its separation of mobile handset costs and call charges, suggesting that 300,000 customers in the market are significantly overpaying on their mobile bill as a result.

Leveraging the Vodafone Mobile Network and connecting it to Sky Ireland’s next generation Mobile Core Network, Sky Mobile will provide over 99% 4G coverage and 5G coverage across the country along with 4G Calling.

Corresponding contracts have been signed by BMW with German football association DFL. The Bundesliga in-car app, which was piloted last season, is now available again from August 2024 to May 2025.

BMW customers with vehicles equipped with BMW Operating System 8.5 and 9 can watch the Bundesliga footage. This option is available in over half a million vehicles on the road, according to the German automobile company.

The Bundesliga in-car app offers on-demand highlight clips and selected live broadcasts. It was first available for the Super Cup on August 17, the match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart. The opportunity to follow the content of this year’s Super Cup in an in-car entertainment system was only available for BMW customers.

With the integration of the Bundesliga app, footballs fans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH) will be able watch a full Bundesliga game with German commentary every two weeks, while three matches with English commentary will be available internationally. In addition, weekly highlight clips will be offered on-demand.

“It is particularly important to us to offer our customers an outstanding digital experience. The close partnership with the DFL and the seamless integration of the app into our vehicles are further important steps in this regard,” said Bernd Körber, Senior Vice President BMW Brand and Product Management.

Dr Roman Schade, DFL Head of Audiovisual Rights DACH, added: “The successful pilot phase showed us that football enthusiasts enjoy watching the Bundesliga also in vehicles. The continuous improvement of the immersive experience through the technological development of in-car entertainment systems and the increased need for appropriate, emotional content confirm that we are meeting the market trend with this pilot project.”

A particular highlight: While Bundesliga matches in most vehicles have to be watched while stationary for safety reasons, 7 Series customers can even enjoy football content on the driver’s seat — in Germany at speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour, using the BMW Personal Pilot L3. On-demand content can also be played back as an audio stream while driving. The Bundesliga in-car app will continuously be further developed during the upcoming season.

With regard to formats that could be used on the go, strongest interest was the use of linear television. Today, 12% of respondents already consume traditional TV channels outside the home on a daily basis. This usage could increase significantly with 5G Broadcast.

Two thirds of respondents are interested in 5G Broadcast as ‘television to go’, with 36% stating that they are even very interested. The most relevant features are the access without a mobile network or Wi-Fi, stable transmission without overloading the network, no need for additional equipment and use without consuming data volume.

5G Broadcast does not affect the data allowances of mobile customers. Subsequently, 68% of the interested users stated that they would like to consume live television content, i.e. linear TV, more frequently on the go via this new reception infrastructure, and 28% would even do so significantly more often. In terms of specific content, interest in classic television is highest. 61% of study participants with an interest in using 5G Broadcast would view linear television channels from public and commercial broadcasters.

Further results of the study show that the use of 5G Broadcast is most likely to be of interest in everyday situations. Above all, prospective 5G Broadcast users can imagine using ‘TV to go’ during waiting times at train stations, airports or at the doctor’s (58%), when traveling by bus or train (52%) or in parks or other public places (37%).

“The study confirms that we are on the right track with 5G Broadcast as a new distribution channel for broadcasting,” said Francie Petrick, Managing Director of German technical service provider Media Broadcast. “With our 5G Broadcast pilot in Halle (Saale), we are now offering all interested parties the opportunity to test the future technology for their individual needs.”

The survey was conducted by market research institute Kantar on behalf of Media Broadcast and with the support of the ARD broadcasters BR, NDR, rbb and SWR. It was aimed at people aged 16 and over and took place between the end of April and the beginning of May 2024. Over 2,000 respondents took part in the online survey. The aim of the study was to gain insights into the population’s interest in 5G Broadcast. The results provide an insight into the extent to which consumers see added value in 5G Broadcast for their personal use.