RTBF, a public service broadcaster, and Proximus NXT of Belgium have used a private 5G network to enable live coverage of the Viva For Life broadcasts in Bertrix. In a statement released today, Proximus stated that this achievement not only marks a technological first but also creates opportunities for future 5G applications in the operations of RTBF. With teams stationed in Bertrix from December 17 to 23, RTBF continuously covered the recent Viva For Life week on television, radio, social media, and online.
Live Reporting on Bertrix
Using a temporary 5G private network, RTBF’s technical staff tested new live coverage technologies in partnership with Proximus NXT. The “proof of concept” entailed installing a temporary private 5G network in Bertrix, linking RTBF’s control room to remote-controlled cameras, and using a specialized 5G router to send a live stream to displays situated on-site.
“These two panoramic cameras were connected to a 5G network dedicated to RTBF, while the audience on site got to watch the live feed on a screen connected to a 5G router,” stated the joint statement.
RTBF and Proximus NXT partnership
The official release states that while this extensive test enabled thorough testing of the infrastructure’s utilization, performance, and stability over the six-day live event, it did not replace RTBF’s wired installations.
According to reports, RTBF used 5G technology to assess a number of use cases, hardware, and protocols during these testing. These included live feed displays, remote control, video streaming, mobile (wireless) cameras, picture quality, and latency.
Success of Full-Scale Tests
The project’s performance is especially remarkable considering the scope of Viva For Life, which includes live HD broadcasts on many RTBF platforms. In comparison to public networks, the 5G private network in Bertrix proved to be able to provide high-quality audio and video content with reduced latency, increased bandwidth guarantees, and improved security.
This accomplishment suggests that RTBF will now be using the mobile network more extensively, which stands well for the future. According to the official release, private 5G networks provide network accessibility, performance, and reliability, making them the perfect choice for media coverage of events like sporting or cultural events.
