5G in sports and entertainment

Posted on by Gordon Marantz
Long promised 5G has arrived and…  So what is 5G?  Simply put 5G is the fifth generation of wireless cellular technology. It offers faster speeds, more consistent connections, and improved capacity than previous networks. When fully realized, 5G networks will usher in a host of new options for streaming content, live events, gaming, and other high-quality immersive and interactive experiences. 5G enables new ways for personalized marketing and advertising because they’ll be able to collect more accurate and granular data to target audiences. Entertainment: 5G networks will have an impact on all aspects of entertainment. As 4K UHD content is now commonplace, 5G download speeds mean mobile viewers will not have to settle for a downgrade in quality as they watch.  5G networks can stream high-resolution content such as 4K and 8K videos. 5G can also support downloading large files, including video and audio 5G will also mean that cloud-based subscription gaming services don’t have to be tethered to the home.  5G can improve the speed of streaming services, allowing for more immersive experiences. 5G can also provide shorter buffering times and less lag, allowing for better-extended reality (XR). Sports: Imagine yourself in a sports venue where you could have multiple 5G-enabled drones all around to capturing unseen camera angles.  Maybe first-person cameras letting thousands of fans see what the athletes see in real time.  Or 5G connected robots delivering concessions throughout the stadium.  This might become reality.  T-Mobile has kicked off its 2023 T-Mobile Accelerator program, which focused on startups, developers and entrepreneurs building immersive fan experiences while watching their favorite sports team or attending an event.
5G can transform the sports and entertainment industry by:
  • Providing ultra-high speed, capacity, and ultra-low latency
  • Helping stadiums put more data to use in innovative ways
  • Delivering exclusive content
  • Allowing fans to access alternative camera angles, audio commentaries, and advanced statistics
  • Providing a more efficient way for coaches and trainers to communicate with players on the field
  • Being a catalyst for advanced technologies such as Augmented and Virtual Reality and connectivity
5G can help with applications such as: 
  • 5G-enabled cameras around the stadium that can simultaneously capture footage from different viewpoints
  • Powerful edge computing that can process all this data quickly and stream a 360-degree view to fan devices
  • A “360” feature where fans in their seats can get a view of the game from another part of the stadium
  • APP CATS LLC’s 5 G-enabled live-streaming platform that creates unique opportunities to interact with fans
  • CUE Audio’s fan-first technology that uses in-venue speakers and fans’ mobile devices to create synchronized experiences
According to DataHorizzon Research, the 5G infrastructure market size was valued at USD 8.7 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach a market size of USD 140.7 Billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 32.2%.