24
IBC2022 ACCELERATOR: 5G REMOTE PRODUCTION… IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
The hype surrounding the rollout of 5G mobile networks has focused mainly on the consumer- facing benefi ts faster download speeds and better battery life. However, the technology offers much more than that and has signifi cant potential for broadcasters in the form of higher upload speeds, lower latency and the ability to operate private networks. The 5G Remote Production… in the Middle of Nowhere IBC Accelerator Challenge is exploring the potential of taking broadcast production and contribution to remote locations that are not served by traditional networks, either fi xed or wireless. Following on from work in the Accelerator
Programme over the past two years, this project aims to demonstrate how a private 5G ‘network in a box’ can support live broadcast production in some truly remote global locations.
PROJECT EVOLUTION Bob Stewart is Professor of Signal Processing and Communications at University of Strathclyde, one of the project’s Champions. “This project has evolved from previous engagements with IBC looking at building private 5G networks working in shared spectrum bands for the purposes of live production,” he explains. “We’re demonstrating that we can pop up networks anywhere.” Professor Stewart describes the system created for the proof of concept: “We have integrated and set up our own 5G standalone radio. The box we’re running at the moment, literally is a box. It’s truly mobile because it’s on wheels. It’s a four-by-four MIMO system, and we can use up to z channels. hats ery signifi cant about that, is we can push a lot of data down 100MHz channels.”
The connectivity challenges presented by
remote locations, such as the transmission from the Highland Games from Pitlochry, Scotland, which start today are signifi cant. he other thing we want to demonstrate is backhaul, because middle of nowhere is middle of nowhere,” Professor Stewart says. “We’ve done enough rural networks to know that it’s nothing without backhaul, so we will be using satellite broadband with StarLink. And, if we can get a 4G or 5G connection, then we can use the mobile network for the backhaul as well.” “From the broadcasters’ point of view, if it
really did work out the box, then it would be fantastic, because you would turn up at an event or a location, mount your antenna, and your
microphones and cameras would all just connect automatically,” he explains.
“From the broadcasters’ point of view, if it really did work out the box, then it would be fantastic, because you would turn up at an event or a location, mount your antenna, and your microphones and cameras would all just connect automatically”
Beyond the technical advances that will
be brought about by this project, Professor tewart sees signifi cant social and cultural potential as well. Traditionally, there are two ways services are deliered to remote communities. he fi rst is the business approach, which he believes has signifi cant challenges. ural is always the last place for every rollout,” he explains. “Whether you go back to payphones in the 1930s, or 2G, 3G, 4G, it’s always the last. And, of course, it’s the last because there’s no business model theres people per suare kilometre on the islands ersus people per suare kilometre in urban environments.” The second approach is government intervention, which usually takes time. Professor Stewart believes there is a third approach. “We think the third way is here now for the community to do it themseles he says. “How can we do it ourselves? Well, you can do it yourselves, because all the ingredients are there.”
Attendees today will see a live feed of the Highland Games
“We’ve done a very interesting thing in New ealand where the indigenous ori people, thanks to the Treaty of Waitangi, have 25% of all 5G spectrum reserved for the community,” explains Professor Stewart. “So, it’s a demonstration that the spectrum could be put to good use for live events, whether it’s sports or cultural.”
Of course, the RAI is not exactly in the middle of nowhere, but IBC attendees can expect to see a demo of the project all the same. “We have collected some of the live demonstrations that were done in New Zealand, Ireland and Kenya in a reel that will show folks the same euipment kit formats being used,” explains Professor Stewart. “And there will be a full hardware demonstration of an integrated system with cameras, microphones and more. We also plan a live feed from the Highland Games.” 5G Remote Production… in the Middle of Nowhere takes place today at 13:30-14:15 on the Innovation Stage in Hall 2.
5G Remote Production… in the Middle of Nowhere Champions: BBC, BT Sport, BT Media & Broadcast, RTÈ, TV2, OBS, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, University of Strathclyde, Scotland 5G Centre Participants: Microsoft, Net Insight, Zixi, Haivision, AWS, Vislink
For more information on the 2022 Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, supported by AMD and Microsoft, visit
show.ibc.org/2022-accelerator-media- innovation-programme
Picture: Bill Robertson
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96
