German technical service provider Media Broadcast showcases a live demonstration of 5G Broadcast at Hamburg Central Station.
Building on the success of its pilot project in Halle (Saale), the company presents the technology in a real-world setting, targeting high-demand locations like train stations.
Media Broadcast and public broadcaster NDR lead the event, delivering a live presentation of 5G Broadcast technology. Vantage Towers, Media Broadcast’s infrastructure partner, is also involved in the live demo set up for a closed user group.
With this installation at Hamburg Central Station, Media Broadcast moves 5G Broadcast beyond the laboratory, proving its practical use for commuters and travellers. The ability to provide live TV and media content directly to mobile devices without traditional mobile networks offers a seamless, data-free alternative to conventional streaming.
Demonstrating 5G Broadcast in such a high-traffic location aligns with the 2024 Kantar study on 5G Broadcast. The study finds that two-thirds of respondents view “television to go” as a viable alternative to internet streaming, particularly during waiting periods at train stations, airports, or while commuting via public transport.
5G Broadcast technology lets travellers and commuters access live content on their mobile 5G devices, such as smartphones and tablets, without using mobile data or facing network congestion. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience even in crowded areas.
“I consider 5G Broadcast a highly promising technology with numerous benefits. 5G Broadcast allows us to respond even better to changing media consumption habits. With this technology, warnings or media content can reach citizens precisely where they are,” said Heike Raab, State Secretary of the State Chancellery of federal state Rhineland-Palatinate, at the live demo.
Sascha Molina, Production Director at NDR, added: “It is crucial that we deliver our content without relying on major US corporations, directly to the devices people carry and use daily. In particular, the independent terrestrial transmission of information is indispensable in times of crisis. The global 5G Broadcast standard has the potential to combine the strengths of terrestrial broadcasting with IP technology.”
Francie Petrick, Managing Director of Media Broadcast, said: “We are witnessing a rapid evolution of 5G Broadcast as a new broadcasting transmission method. The technology moves into real-world use at precisely the locations where it is most relevant. This marks a significant step forward in bringing 5G Broadcast to the places where people gather and actively use their smartphones.”
