Sept. 16, 2024
NPO, the public broadcaster in the Netherlands, and Dutch technical services provider Broadcast Partners are giving a 24/7 live 5G Broadcast demonstration during IBC 2024 in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam - During the International
Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2024 in Amsterdam, the Dutch public broadcaster
NPO and technical services provider Broadcast Partners were showcasing a 24/7
live demonstration of 5G Broadcast technology. This marks the first time 5G
Broadcast is being used in the Netherlands, highlighting its potential to
revolutionize media delivery.
5G Broadcast utilizes over-the-air transmitters to
deliver TV, radio, and media content directly to mobile devices and car radios,
bypassing traditional telecom networks that require separate streams for each
device1. This technology promises significant savings in mobile data usage and
enhanced reliability, especially for emergency communications.
The demonstration features two NPO channels, NPO 1 and
NPO 3FM, transmitted via the 150-meter-high Cellnex RAI Amsterdam broadcasting
tower1. Visitors to IBC 2024 can experience the broadcast both indoors and
outdoors, with the trial also serving to optimize transmission parameters for
future field trials.
Jildert de Groot, Chief Technology Officer at NPO,
emphasized the importance of 5G Broadcast for integrating live video and audio
into smartphones while maintaining robust, independent networks less vulnerable
to cyber-attacks. This initiative underscores NPO’s commitment to advancing
broadcast technology and its role in emergency communication.