Five reasons why Private 5G works for live event Video.

In the realm of live event broadcasting, a new technology has emerged as a game-changer: Private Cellular Networks (PCNs). Over the past six months, I've collaborated with the video experts at BY Productions, B-Live, and Cannery Collective to explore the potential of PCNs for creating superior video transport links. Spoiler alert: PCNs are an exciting evolution in wireless video connectivity, and here's why.

Reason One - Control

Firstly, PCNs offer unparalleled control.

With the rise of mobile cameras, bonded cellular solutions have flooded the market. These platforms typically use a 'backpack encoder' with modems and SIMs from multiple public cellular providers. They offer decent performance, but what if you could do better? With PCNs, you can.

The video team or event connectivity provider controls the entire network, ensuring optimal performance. Want a guaranteed 10Mbps upstream for each camera with less than 20ms latency across the event? Consider it done.

Reason Two - Dedicated Wireless Spectrum

"Why not just use Wi-Fi?" Because so is everyone else.
"What's wrong with cellular bonding?" Nothing, but try making that work when 50,000 people arrive on show day. Cellular operators build their network to serve the usage on the other 364 days of the year, not show day.

All over the world, dedicated spectrum is being made available for PCNs. In the USA, we have CBRS and similar mid-band frequencies like N77 5G are available across Europe, including the UK. At the recent King's Coronation, Neutral Wireless and BBC R&D collaborated to deliver a Private 5G network in London's densely packed Mall area leading to Buckingham Palace.

This statement from Neutral Wireless' recent post on the deployment says it all.

"...our Neutral Wireless Private 5G SA network proved a revelation to our on-site broadcast partners, with several requesting Neutral Wireless SIM cards on the day, after experiencing connectivity issues using other methods."

Simply, you can share the same congested wireless spectrum that thousands of other users are trying to access or ride your own private wireless highway.

Reason Three - Rapid Deployment of broad coverage

Thirdly, PCNs allow for rapid deployment of broad coverage.

In the fast-paced world of live events, this is a godsend. A single Private 5G base station can provide extensive coverage, up to ten times larger than a high-end outdoor Wi-Fi Access Point.

This means fewer resources, less time, and a smaller team to handle deployment without compromising on the quality of the coverage.

In live events, deadlines are fixed, and time is short.  

Reason Four - The right tool for the job.

Wi-Fi was designed for high-speed short-range indoor connectivity and, because of the way the protocol was designed, continues to have stability issues when users hand over between Access Points even when interference isn't an issue, which is never.

The 3GPP cellular specifications have always been focused on wide area coverage for mobile users, with specific controls for high-speed handover between each base station or cell.

• Wi-Fi devices need -75dBm or better for a stable connection.
• Cellular devices will connect at up to -120dBm.

In real terms, that's the difference between a 75m effective range and a kilometer or more.

Reason Five - Cost

Finally, PCNs are a cost-effective solution.

Unlike public cellular networks, there are no recurring SIM subscription or bandwidth charges with a Private Network. While initial costs of Private 5G base stations may be higher than Wi-Fi APs, you'll need far fewer.

Furthermore, the next generation of backpack encoders will only require one 5G capable modem, reducing both cost and complexity. As PCN adoption increases, prices are projected to decrease, making it an economical choice in the long run.

Conclusion

The advent of Private Cellular Networks marks a significant stride forward in the live event broadcasting arena.

With their unparalleled control, dedicated wireless spectrum, rapid and broad coverage deployment, and cost-effectiveness, PCNs are poised to revolutionize the way we approach video broadcasting. Moreover, the inherent ability of these networks to provide stable, high-quality, and low-latency video transport underlines their potential as a go-to solution for event video teams.

The transition to any new technology can come with its share of challenges. However, these can be easily navigated with the right guidance and technical support.

If you're a broadcast video professional intrigued by the potential of PCNs and considering your own 5G deployment, we're here to help. We're ready to provide you with the technical support and advice needed to make your transition to PCNs as smooth as possible.

Don't wait for the future of broadcasting to pass you by. Embrace the PCN evolution today and elevate your live event broadcasting to new heights. Contact us for more information on how we can support your transition to a Private Cellular Network. Let's redefine live video broadcasting together.