Watch out for the coming tango of 5G and broadcasting

Complementing broadcasting with 5G technology offers a tantalising promise; provided firms keep the end-user in mind, remain adaptable and forward-thinking

“The emergence of personalised, on-demand content has paved the way for the concept of direct-to-mobile as a transformative approach to content delivery.”, TV Ramachandran, President of the Broadband India Forum

Stakeholders must recognise the significance of affordability and envisage a future where both mobile and terrestrial broadcasting can complement each other.

The promise of 5G also raises the question of its relationship with broadcasting. Will the two complement each other? How will that impact the broad architecture of connectivity in India?

TV Ramachandran, President of the Broadband India Forum, provided the best answers we can formulate today, as he delivered a special addressat the Voice&Data 5G+ Conference.The topic for Ramachandran’s address promised to delve into the Impact of 5G on Broadcasting. Acknowledging the provocative nature of the theme, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasised the need to move beyond conventional discussions of 4G and 5G. Instead, he encouraged a forward-looking perspective, contemplating 5G’s potential to revolutionise broadcasting in ways yet unexplored.

Addressing a gathering of experts from the telecommunications industry, policymakers, and academia, he reminisced about discussions on convergence between telecom and broadcasting that had echoed for over two decades. He, however, posited that the advent of 5G might finally herald the long-awaited convergence. He stressed the importance of shedding the notion of 5G as merely an evolution of 4G, urging all to think in terms of a paradigm shift and explore new applications and use cases.

Ramachandran painted a vivid picture of the current era, characterised by hyper-connectivity. He evoked a visionary image of a world in which technology would be seamlessly integrated into every facet of life, resonating with the audience’s experiences in an age of technological disruption on an unprecedented scale.

Delving deeper into the topic, he emphasised the growing demand for personalised, on-demand content. “The emergence of personalised, on-demand content has paved the way for the concept of direct-to-mobile as a transformative approach to content delivery,” he stated. He argued that this would be a crucial aspect of broadcasting in the future of connectivity.

He then took the audience on a historical journey, recounting the early consultations by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in 2007-08 on mobile television. He highlighted the co-evolution of broadcasting technologies, both terrestrial and satellite, and the strides made in defining standards for content delivery on mobile devices.

Stakeholders must recognize the significance of affordability and envisage a future where both mobile and terrestrial broadcasting can complement each other.

Among the various ways of accessing television content on mobile, Ramachandran shed light on terrestrial broadcasting, which had long-standing advantages in terms of wider coverage, especially in remote areas. He emphasised that while broadcasting had its niche, the emergence of 5G would significantly elevate its role in content delivery.

Drawing attention to 3GPP’s work on converged mobile and broadcasting technologies, he pointed out that the standards set by the organisation were crucial for the seamless integration of broadcasting into the 5G landscape.

On the coexistence of technologies, Ramachandran argued that India’s diverse demographics and preferences necessitated the continued existence of various broadcasting technologies. He urged stakeholders to recognise the significance of affordability, especially in a price-sensitive market like India, and envisaged a future where both mobile and terrestrial broadcasting would complement each other.

In his closing remarks, Ramachandran called for an open-minded approach, allowing market forces and consumer preferences to dictate the trajectory of these technologies. He said that success would ultimately be determined by the end user, urging the industry to remain adaptable and forward-thinking.

As he concluded his address, Ramachandran left the audience with a thought-provoking perspective on the coexistence of 5G and broadcasting, envisioning a future where both technologies would play pivotal roles in shaping the landscape of connectivity in India. His insightful discourse set the tone for further discussions on the future of telecommunications.

aanchalg@cybermedia.co.in