16-Jun-2020

According a recent survey, 92% of broadcasters expect to adopt 5G technology over the next two years. Carried out by Nevion, the poll indicates that the 225 broadcasters surveyed across Europe, Australia, China and North America were favorable in adapting 5G (96%), but that only 46% of them had actually tested 5G capabilities within their organization.

Interestingly for OTT services, the poll highlighted the interest of broadcasters in using 5G technologies for OTT services (33%) and contribution (29%). While 5G would be primarily used for remote production, the use of 5G could provide a greater cost-effective back-up for contribution links.

On June 9th, the FCC voted on the long awaited 5G Upgrade Order that will clarify sitting rules for wireless deployment and aims to install 5G with more facility in smaller communities. The order would narrow the digital gap, ensuring connectivity even in the most rural parts of the United States.

Having a high-speed internet connection offers stability to students, residents, and local businesses to reach their full potential digitally.

According to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, the upgrade would increase broadband investment in rural America in 2 ways :

Streamlining upgrade to existing towers to 5G

Cost efficient & faster 5G buildout in big cities & more resources for wireless carriers in smaller towns

Furthermore, the FCC has long supported efforts in exploring ATSC 3.0/NextGen TV. Most recently, the FCC announced that it would not apply long-standing TV station ownership restrictions to the lease of spectrum to provide “Broadcast Internet” services via ATSC 3.0.
Concretely, this ruling would allow for broadcasters to have an even greater role in a competitive and digitalized market. Efforts in clarifying FCC regulations for broadcasters and the future of television is a step in helping reach the next generation of television service for viewers. This signifies leased excess capacity used for non-broadcast broadband services will not be regulated as broadcast TV services.

Broadcasters will have broad freedom to utilize the excess capacity for broadcast internet services provided that they comply with the following conditions:
1. Broadcasters must retain ultimate control over their leased spectrum and responsibility for FCC compliance.

2. The term of any spectrum lease cannot be longer than the station’s broadcast license.

3. Broadcasters must continue to provide at least one over-the-air video program signal at no charge to viewers.

Still wondering how the FCC can help support ATSC3.0/Next Gen efforts for broadcasters?

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