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European mobile operators expect 5G to lead to mobile video boom

More than 88 per cent of European operators said they plan to offer new multi-screen pay-TV

The arrival of 5G is expected to lead to a major surge in the amount of European mobile operators offering either multi-screen pay-TV services and subscription internet video streaming services.

According to research conducted by Ovum for Amdocs, more than 88 per cent of European operators said they plan to offer new multi-screen pay-TV and 82 per cent plan on offering subscription internet video streaming services.

The research particularly focused on the impact 5G will have on major sports events, with 76 per cent of European mobile operators revealing they plan to use AR supported by 5G, to offer richer viewing experiences to fans, both at the sports stadiums and at home.

More than two-thirds (65 per cent) of European operators said that upcoming major sports events, such as the 2020 European Championship, are influencing their 5G roll-out timelines. The research also revealed:

· 29 per cent of European operators plan commercial 5G launches in conjunction with top sports events.

· 82 per cent of European operators are targeting the Euro 2020 football tournament (June – July 2020) to kickoff 5G experiences to the consumer market.

· 94 per cent of European operators plan to trial 5G within sports and esports venues by the end of 2020.

All of the European operators taking part in the study said they plan to support esports in the 5G era, either as technology partners to esports event organisers (88 per cent), broadcasters of the action (47 per cent), or esports team ownership (12 per cent).

“It’s essential for operators to find successful use cases for 5G given the investment levels. Amdocs’ research has revealed that major live sports events could hold the key to consumer adoption of 5G,” said Gary Miles, chief marketing officer at Amdocs. “Operators have identified these events as the springboard for rollout of a whole range of new interactive and immersive services. This will give consumers their first real taste of what 5G can deliver and allow operators to showcase the capabilities of their next-generation networks. Expect to see the first of these new services and applications rolled out in conjunction with the 2020 football tournaments in Europe, among other big events in the sports calendar. We will also see operators becoming integral to the growth of esports with 5G opening the door to future investment and revenue opportunities.”