The prospect of live broadcasts is radically changing with the advent of private airborne 5G networks. Having been positioned above cycling race fields and festival stages, this innovative technology is already demonstrating notable advantages for both viewers and organizers themselves. How does the new approach work, and why might it change the entire live broadcast industry?
Striking examples from recent months show that aerial 5G networks are capable not only of pushing the boundaries of conventional technical solutions, but also of making audience experiences more immersive. Test launches in sports and music have already sparked a lively expert discussion.
New opportunities for live broadcasts
The emergence of aerial 5G networks has opened up unique opportunities for organizers. Mobility allows such networks to be installed on board aircraft or drones, providing broadcasts from the most hard-to-reach locations—from mountain tracks to riverbanks.
Traditional methods of signal transmission, such as ground-based satellite antennas or expensive stationary repeaters, are often limited in coverage and flexibility. Now, organizers can temporarily create their own network at any location where an event is taking place. The quality of the connection remains stable even with high audience density or in areas with weak infrastructure.
Image quality is also significantly improved: 5G networks support high-definition video transmission and professional audio, which is especially important for modern broadcasts. Such solutions are already being used at sports arenas, music festivals, and large-scale cultural events, where previously high-quality live broadcasts were only a dream.
Key experiments and real-world applications
This year, leading global companies and universities have conducted several notable trials. One example is the French cycling race Bretagne Classic, where cameras on motorcycles transmitted the signal to an ultralight aircraft equipped with its own private 5G network. The video was sent from the aircraft to a mobile ground station and then, via a low-Earth orbit satellite, to the cloud for processing and broadcasting to viewers.
The English music festival Henley became the first event of its scale to use a specially deployed 5G network. With the help of mobile cameras, organizers captured the emotions of an audience of 27,000 people and broadcast them live. Thanks to this, viewers received a unique sense of presence.
An equally interesting experiment was conducted in Turin, where a tethered drone created an aerial 5G cell. It provided the transmission of several high-definition video streams at once to a ground station. All these experiments showed that the technology not only reduces broadcasting costs, but also reduces environmental impact by decreasing the number of heavy repeaters and cable networks.
How the technology works and who is developing it
The technical basis of the project is the creation of a private 5G network, which is deployed only for a specific event. Such networks use the principle of uplink-biased workflow: priority is given to transmitting data from cameras and microphones to cloud platforms. Transmission is carried out using bonded technology—simultaneous use of multiple communication channels to increase reliability and speed.
At the stage of transmitting the signal to the cloud, satellite communication with low-Earth orbit satellites is used. This makes it possible to bypass the limitations of terrestrial networks, quickly bringing the signal to the internet.
The development and implementation of such solutions is being carried out by the University of Strathclyde (UK), the company Neutral Wireless (a British startup), as well as Haivision (Canada), specializing in video technologies. The project is supported by the IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, bringing together broadcasting companies, technical infrastructure contractors, and mobile operators.
Traditional public networks usually cannot provide a stable transmission channel with a huge influx of users. A private network creates a closed ecosystem for organizers, freeing them from dependence on external overloads and failures. Among the technological challenges, specialists note the need for rapid equipment setup, ensuring signal stability during movement of airborne platforms, and the complexity of integration with already existing cloud solutions.
Expert opinions and assessments of prospects
Professor Bob Stewart from the University of Strathclyde—the project leader—emphasizes the breakthrough nature of the technology: “Our developments, which grew out of the university’s laboratories, have already been used in world-class broadcasts, from the coronation of Charles III in London to events in Paris and Marseille.” IBC Accelerator Programme leader Mark Smith is confident: “The joint efforts of the Conquering the Airwaves project are radically changing the approach to remote broadcasting for television companies.”
Specialists believe that aerial 5G networks can offer broadcasters more flexibility and lower costs. At the same time, questions remain about scalability and implementation costs—deploying a personal network requires serious preparation and approvals. Experts also highlight cybersecurity issues, since an autonomous network must remain protected from interference.
Nevertheless, compared to traditional repeaters and classic satellite channels, the new solution may become a starting point for a mass transition to aerial networks. Will this become the new standard for live broadcasts in the next decade?
Impact on the industry and further development
Global live broadcast practices are already beginning to change, and the use of private airborne 5G networks is gaining momentum. It is expected that such solutions will make broadcasts more accessible, eco-friendly, and engaging. Already, it is possible not only to watch sports broadcasts of football or cricket, but also to place bets using bookmaker apps.
Statistics indicate the growing popularity of such digital tools in various countries. Bookmakers offer the opportunity to place bets not only on popular, but also on sports that are little-known in the US. We were quite surprised when we studied several thematic sites and found information about numerous apps for betting on cricket. According to one of these sites describing the best apps for betting on the IPL, the market is actively growing. And that means the requirements for internet quality are also increasing. And this is just one of many examples of the close interconnection between internet providers and digital entertainment operators.
The industry is showing great interest: leading media companies and technical contractors plan to expand experiments and launch pilots at new venues.
In the future, aerial 5G networks will be able to be used not only for sports and music, but also in emergencies, organizing mass events outside major cities, and in locations with complex logistics. Project participants declare their intention to improve equipment, integrate with other networks, and train new teams to support broadcasts.