Game on: Inside the 5G trials for enhanced sports broadcasting for fans by the ONE4HDD consortium By Joe OHalloran
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - 09:11
Print This Story
Stade Orange V lodrome in Marselle being prepared for 2024 Six Nations opening match between France and Ireland in February
As exemplified by the second half strength of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium and the panache and power of France in dismantling Wales in Paris, Six Nations Rugby is very much back right now. Back on the field and also the screen in more compelling form than ever for those not only watching on home but also, thanks to 5G infrastructures, within and around stadiums with tens of thousands of fans.
In fact, the power of 5G in rugby, and in sports in general, was highlighted very clearly by the ONE4HDD consortium at the end of 2024 to boost the fan experience at the final game of the Autumn Nations Series at Twickenham on 24 November between England and Japan and at the UK Superbikes final at Brands Hatch from 11-13 October.
Essentially, the ONE4HDD project has the stated aim of optimising mobile network performance in high demand density environments. It claims to a propose a novel' 5G-based solution to optimise mobile network performance in high demand density (HDD) environments such as music festivals, sporting events and major public gatherings.
At the heart of the solution designed by ONE4HDD is what is described as a mobile cell on wheels (CoW) - featuring a fully UK-built 5G network - equipped with Open radio access network (RAN) technology and advanced codecs to ensure high-quality data transmission even in the busiest environments.
It is said to be capable of serving hundreds of users simultaneously in order to offer reliable connectivity in crowded venues, with the net result of enhanced user experience and fostering technological innovation. The project will also look to explore the provision of services such as over-the-top (OTT) video, social media, emergency broadcasts and standard telephony across the UK.
The consortium behind the project comprises UK companies across key sectors including mobile network optimisation, broadcast services, video compression and content delivery, cellular radio technologies and cybersecurity. This includes Digital TV Group, Virgin Media O2, Ateme, Imaginary Pictures and the University of Surrey. The £2.64 million project has already received £1.47 million from the UK's Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) as part of its Open Network Ecosystems competition, an £88 million research and development connectivity programme to futureproof UK mobile networks.
Open RAN technology
Research and competence in the domain of cybersecurity is regarded as a priority, with measures to ensure robust protection against potential threats so that the solution will not only enhance mobile network performance, but also ensure user data privacy and security.
One of the key current aims of the project has been to demonstrated will showcase the technical capabilities of Open RAN technology - seen by the communications industry and the UK government as an essential part of tomorrow's mobile networks through broader and less risky essential equipment supply chains - as well as live demonstrations of advanced use cases and through live, technical presentations, and collaboration with partners to advance industry learning and, hopes ONE4HDD, foster innovation.
The demonstration at the UK Superbikes final built on the progress of previous showcases and featured the rapid deployment and high-performance capabilities of a fully UK-built 5G mobile network. The ONE4HDD consortium said it was able to fully deploy the CoW with a complete 5G broadcast network in UHF spectrum, in under 30 minutes with the rapid setup enabling high bandwidth 5G data capacity in a densely populated live event at the iconic racecourse.
The 5G Broadcast network was supported by a custom-built mobile app used by fans to access live race footage when the bikes were out of sight, track real time stats and running orders, and watch interviews during event breaks. It also demonstrated the integration of MPEG-H interactive audio into the 5G broadcast application to give fans access to a customisable viewing experience through supplementary audio options, such as multi-language commentary, personalised audio settings and enhanced dialogue for greater accessibility.
Genuine customer satisfaction
ONE4HDD was keen to emphasise that its work was not just a technological success on behalf of its stakeholder, but that it also generated genuine customer satisfaction. It noted that during the event, an independent consumer panel tested the 5G broadcast application and that feedback was overwhelmingly positive , with participants praising the app for keeping them close to the action even when the bikes were out of sight.
Customer experience testing from the day is also said to have revealed that existing mobile networks struggled to cope with demand, while the ONE4HDD network delivered a seamless experience for fans. Participants praised the service's ability to enhance race visibility and engagement with users finding the app intuitive, seamlessly complementing their live viewing experience when providing access to out-of-sight areas of the track and additional race data. Interestingly, audio commentary was highlighted for adding clarity to the action, with many triallists expressing a willingness to pay for the service as part of an upgraded ticket package.
Clearly enthused, the ONE4HDD consortium said the positive response at Superbikes pointed to clear commercial potential for wider adoption across motorsport and other live events. It added that what it said was the system's success in managing the intense demand for mobile data, which was said to have outstripped the venu
Most recent headlines
21/02/2025
On February 19, 2025, Julia Herting, the Site Manager of SGL Carbon in Bonn, signed a declaration of intent, marking an important step in contributing to climat...
21/02/2025
Ken Bedingfield (President, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris) was joined by state, l...
21/02/2025
Join us at NAB this April and take the fast route to value. Discover how new functionality in BLAM, our end-to-end content supply chain platform, gives you vita...
21/02/2025
Integration Enhances Audience Measurement Capabilities for Mutual Clients Across...
21/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Wisycom has announced that it will debut its BFL2 Portable RF-over-Fiber system to the broadcast market at the 2025 NAB Show between April 5-9 at its ...
21/02/2025
IRVING, Texas Nexstar Media Group has appointed Samantha Osborne Reynolds vice president of political sales. In the new role, Osborne Reynolds is responsible fo...
21/02/2025
How to Make Street Art in Apple Motion
Simon Ubsdell February 21, 2025
0 Comments
How to create a 2D trompe l'oeil street art effect in Apple Moti...
21/02/2025
Clear Life Media Adds Blackmagic Replay For Sports Streaming
Brie Clayton February 21, 2025
0 Comments
Texas production company competes for larger pr...
21/02/2025
LOTR Cinematography: Lighting Techniques Explained
Filip Ne old February 21, 2025
0 Comments
How does lighting shape storytelling in The Lord of the R...
21/02/2025
Redshift for Cinema 4D: The Art of Anisotropic Reflections
Marc Potocnik February 21, 2025
0 Comments
Anisotropic Reflections and Radial Micro Scratch...
21/02/2025
ESPN announced Thursday night that it will no longer broadcast Major League Baseball games starting in 2026 after the network failed to agree to terms for a new...
21/02/2025
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has asked the U.S. Dept. of Justice to closely scrutinize Disney's acquisition of FuboTV, expressing concerns that the d...
21/02/2025
Paul Glasgow also takes on the role of sales and marketing director under strategic changes made by Marquis owners, Dan Technologies Group
By Matthew Corrigan ...
21/02/2025
The Berlusconi-owned media group owns a 29.9 per cent stake in the broadcaster
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 21, 2025
The Berlusconi-owned media...
21/02/2025
A new study suggests that the 50th season of Saturday Night Live is proving to be a major financial success for NBCUniversal's Peacock, generating an esti...
21/02/2025
Calrec expands its flexible production model at NAB 2025 with True Control 2.0, ...
21/02/2025
Rossetto Supermarket Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 6K
Brie Clayton February 20, 2025
0 Comments
Campaign brings dreamlike visuals to life throu...
21/02/2025
Corbel 3D and Pixel Light Effects' Leap to Simple, Fast File Transfer
Brie Clayton February 20, 2025
0 Comments
The Setting Corbel 3D, located in ...
21/02/2025
Alum TK Johnson Backs Bartees Strange for a Tiny Desk Instant Classic The drummer has been playing with Bartees since 2022, and also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel ...
21/02/2025
Telos Alliance Announces New Features for Omnia Forza FM and Forza HDS at 2025 ...
21/02/2025
2025 SVG GFX Forum Bring Together 250+ Attendees To Forge New Ideas, Discuss Fut...
21/02/2025
ESPN-MLB Rights Deal Will End After 2025 Season as Sides Mutually' Opt Out ...
21/02/2025
ESPN To Stream Alternate Broadcast of Iowa State-Houston Men's College Hoops...
21/02/2025
MLS Kickoff 2025: MLS's Ignacio Garcia Talks New Production Facility, Sunday...
21/02/2025
MLS Kickoff 2025: With Opening Weekend Ahead, NEP Group Ramps Up Production Work...
21/02/2025
Sky acquires highly anticipated suburban-thriller series starring Sarah Snook, A...
21/02/2025
Back to All News
Trailer for When Life Gives You Tangerines' Offers a Glim...
21/02/2025
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils the Premiere Date and First Look of Dome Karuk...
21/02/2025
Back to All News
The Metamorphosis Studio Hosted Aitanas Big Night
Entertainment
21 February 2025
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Download the party ...
21/02/2025
Advanced production switcher technology supports Emirate broadcasters expansion...
21/02/2025
Today, Apple announced Apple Intelligence is coming to Apple Vision Pro in April. With Apple Intelligence for Vision Pro, users will be able to proofread, rewri...
20/02/2025
Ever since Spotify and FC Barcelona forged a first-of-its kind partnership three...
20/02/2025
As Spotify continues to roll out audiobooks to new listeners worldwide, we're committed to providing authors with tools that help them reach those listeners...
20/02/2025
The amount of broadcasters worldwide using artificial intelligence (AI) has more than doubled over the last 12 months, with 25% now employing the technology....
20/02/2025
BOSTON New England sports fans nationwide will now have a new FAST channel bringing them news, insight and live programming covering its major league and colleg...
20/02/2025
MELVILLE, N.Y. Chyron today launched its 2025 Designer of the Year Competition and said the winner will be announced live at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, at th...
20/02/2025
LONDON Sports entertainment platform DAZN said the second season of NFL Game Pass on DAZN saw significant growth, with paid subscribers growing by 23% year-over...
20/02/2025
Stuart Barnes, Yospaces VP international business development, explains the importance of getting stuck in when part of the media tech industry
By Matthew Corr...
20/02/2025
Broadcast techs saw a 25% boost in their pay in 2024, according to annual survey
By Tom Butts
Published: February 20, 2025
Broadcast techs saw a 25% boost...
20/02/2025
WASHINGTON The 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, at the Las Vegas Convention Center will mark the debut of the Business of Entertainment track developed with The Ankler...
20/02/2025
TYSONS, Va. Tegna Inc. has announced that news veteran Adrienne Roark has been named chief content officer reporting to CEO Mike Steib, effective March 31....
20/02/2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Roku has further expanded its sports content with a new media rights deal with Bassmaster that will make Roku the streaming hub for Bassmaster ...
20/02/2025
WASHINGTON National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt opened The Media Institute's 2025 Communications Forum series with a s...
20/02/2025
The Belonging Co., a Nashville-based church renowned for its dynamic worship experiences and multimedia-rich conferences, tapped DigitalGlue's creative.spac...
20/02/2025
Mediahuis Radio continues its expansion with the completion of a new production facility in Amsterdam. DHD RX2 and DX2 audio mixers connected to XD3 Cores form ...
20/02/2025
At NAB 2025, Calrec is introducing a suite of new interconnected products and updates aiming to help broadcasters meet a variety of challenges. With increased c...
20/02/2025
Keepit, the world's only independent vendor of cloud backup and recovery solutions designed to protect SaaS data, today announced a remarkable year of growt...
20/02/2025
Expanded SMPTE ST 2110 support strengthens lip-sync and latency measurement solutions
Hitomi Broadcast, the market leader in audio/video alignment and latency ...
20/02/2025
LiveU, a leader in live IP-video and remote production solutions, today announced the successful implementation of its comprehensive IP remote production soluti...
Game on: Inside the 5G trials for enhanced sports broadcasting for fans by the ONE4HDD consortium By Joe OHalloran 
