Deutsche Telekom, RTL use 5G network slicing to broadcast live TV content
Deutsche Telekom and RTL Deutschland recently broadcasted live TV content using a 5G standalone network for the first time, leveraging 5G network slicing. The organization, Ntv, used this technology for a live interview before the Digital X tech trade fair in Cologne, Germany. In 5G networks, network slicing uses high bandwidth and a virtual network section to transmit high-quality moving images securely and stably.
Currently, several TV stations use satellites to broadcast live, but they use expensive, bulky vehicles for the required technology. One alternative is LiveU’s backpack transmission unit which can handle up to eight mobile radio cards. The company says that RTL Deutschland uses only one 5G sim card in the LiveU backup transmission unit for the tests.
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According to the company, network slicing enables TV broadcasters to achieve improved performance and quality with a high upload speed for live videos in high-definition quality. As part of the collaboration between Deutsche Telekom and RTL Deutschland, the engineering teams used real-time transmitted video signals from four cameras using 5G network slicing.
“The latest mobile communications standard supports the transmission of data-intensive video signals in real-time. 5G network slicing makes this possible. Our partnership with RTL Deutschland continues successfully. Together, we are now working on connecting journalists even closer to their audience,” said Claudia Nemat, a Telekom board of management member and responsible for technology and innovation.
What is 5G network slicing?
The advent of 5G wireless communication has brought innovations along with significant benefits such as improved data rate and throughput. Network slicing is touted as one of the key features of 5G networks, bringing more capabilities to communication service providers.
Network slicing allows multiple virtual network slices to be created. These virtual network sections act independently but are hosted in a single network infrastructure that can adapt to different requirements.
“Our goal is to provide our viewers and users with the best and fastest information from anywhere and at any time,” said Stephan Schmitter, managing director for RTL NEWS and chief journalistic content officer for RTL Deutschland. “5G network slicing is an important tool for this and therefore strengthens our independent journalism.”
Article Topics
5G | broadcast TV | Deutsche Telekom | network slicing | RTL | streaming | video
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