5G Broadcast On Air today in Amsterdam during IBC2024

NPO & Broadcast Partners are giving a 24/7 live 5G Broadcast demonstration during the International Broadcast Convention (IBC), the world’s leading media and technology trade show for broadcasting in Amsterdam. The Dutch national public broadcaster NPO will have the privilege of being the first broadcaster in the Netherlands to broadcast via 5G to demonstrate the capabilities of 5G Broadcast technology.

Hilversum, 13 September 2024.

5G Broadcast uses over-the-air transmitters to deliver TV, radio, and media to mobile phones and car radios across a wide area. Traditional telecom networks require separate streams and bandwidth for each individual device. The 5G Broadcast technology is ready to roll out, standardization is practically completed, and trial operations have been underway for several years. 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 in 2023 to further define broadcast services and capabilities together with other leading broadcasters in Europe. NPO is taking the next step by demonstrating the capabilities during the International Broadcasting Convention 2024 in Amsterdam, technically facilitated by NPO’s FM and DAB+ network services provider Broadcast Partners and the suppliers Nakolos, SYES’ and COM-TECH.

Two channels of public broadcasters, NPO 1 and NPO 3FM, will be transmitted via the 150m high Cellnex RAI Amsterdam broadcasting tower from September 13 to 16 and will be available outdoors and indoors during the IBC2024. Cellnex, Europe’s leading telecommunications infrastructure operator, is also the leading provider of broadcasting services in the Netherlands through its extensive network of high towers throughout the country.

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 optimize the transmission parameters for a possible future field trial.

Jildert de Groot, Chief Technology Officer at NPO: “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.”

Werner de Schepper, Technical Director at Cellnex – Broadcast Partners:  “We are proud on this collaboration with the NPO in this next step of 5G broadcasting solutions. With our extensive Broadcasting experience and unique network of high towers in the Netherlands we are able to provide independent and reliable Broadcast solutions for our clients.”

About

NPO

The NPO (Nederlandse Publieke Omroep) is the national public broadcasting organization in the Netherlands. It is responsible for broadcasting television and radio programs via the Dutch national public networks. With NPO as the umbrella management body and a number of independent broadcasters with a broadcasting license, who together offer a wide range of content, varying from news and current affairs to entertainment and education.

Broadcast Partners

The Dutch company Broadcast Partners, part of Cellnex, offers broadcast technology products, solutions, consultancy and network operation services for radio & TV stations, production companies, and governments. They manage the entire broadcast chain, from studio to audience, including turnkey projects and the full contribution and distribution chains. The company oversees around 750 FM and DAB+ transmitters 24/7/365.

IBC stand 8.A91

SYES

SYESis the leading company in solid state radio technologies (Digital TV, Radio & 5G and MIMS Amplifiers). SYESdesigns and manufactures high efficiency Amplifiers and Transmitters for Military, Industry, Medical & Scientific applications and Transmitters for TV, FM, DAB and 5G Broadcasting. SYES headquarters are located in Italy.

IBC stand 8.F46

Nakolos

Nakolos is a project of Austrian Broadcasting Services (ORS Group). ORS Group, the service provider for analogue and digital broadcasting in Austria, has been actively involved in the global 5G & Media initiative, the 5G Media Action Group, since 2019 and through that have contributed as well as gained a lot of knowledge in the 5G Broadcast field.

IBC stand 7.P46

COM-TECH

COM-TECH is an Italian company that designs and develops high-end RF passive components. The company has become a reference worldwide, having supplied products and services to Customers in more than 50 Countries. The COM-TECH Broadcast business area covers the UHF, VHF B.III, VHF B.I, FM frequency ranges.

IBC stand 8.D64