A new global survey of broadcasters has found 92 per cent expect to adopt 5G technology over the next two years.
The poll, carried out on behalf of Nevion, surveyed 225 broadcasters across Europe, Australia, China and North America with the aim of understanding how they envision using 5G and their perceptions of the technology.
It found that over a third (39 per cent) of respondents expect their organisation will be ready to adopt 5G within a year, while a further 53 per cent believe they will be able to do so within the following year.
The survey also found 94 per cent of broadcasters think that their country has the infrastructure ready to adopt 5G, but only 46 per cent of broadcasters have tested 5G’s capabilities within their organisation.
Almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents said they would consider adopting 5G for remote production, while 61 per cent would consider using it for distribution as a potential replacement for DTT, satellite or cable. Broadcasters would also consider using 5G technologies for OTT services (33 per cent) and contribution (29 per cent).
While broadcasters are mainly considering 5G for remote production, only one-fifth (20 per cent) think 5G’s ability to provide a more portable and flexible primary link for (some) outside broadcast production is its biggest benefit. However, 42 per cent think the biggest benefit from 5G will be providing a cost-effective back-up for contribution links.
Andy Rayner, chief technologist, Nevion, commented: “It’s positive that broadcasters are expecting to move forward at pace with 5G. However, there is still a lot of work to be done before it can be implemented into live environments, and given the current climate worldwide, testing and developments may have slowed down. Over the next year or so, it will be a case of broadcasters looking in earnest at the potential of 5G in the value chain and testing the technology’s capabilities within their organisations – something over half of broadcasters are yet to do.”
