Live broadcasts via online streaming platforms (Live Streaming) have become an integral and powerful force in the digital experience, from entertainment to education and corporate events. It has revolutionised how we create, consume, and interact with content. From live events to gaming, education to entertainment, live streaming has become ubiquitous in our online experiences, transcending the bounds of physical location to connect audiences around the world.
The future of live streaming is inextricably tied to the rapid advancements in various technologies that enhance the viewer experience and enable new possibilities. One recent most significant technological advancement is developing and deploying 5G networks. With ultra-fast speeds and minimal delay, 5G is set to transform live streaming, making high-quality, low-latency broadcasts possible from virtually anywhere!
As technology continues to evolve, the future of live streaming promises exciting innovations and transformative experiences.
We’ll delve into the potential role of 5G network technology in enhancing livestreams. Let’s explore how these technologies function to understand their impact in revolutionising the digital experience.
Understanding 5G Technology
5G, the latest wireless technology, offers faster data speeds, quicker response times, and more capacity than earlier versions. With speeds up to 100 times faster and latency reduced to just a few milliseconds, 5G enables a seamless streaming experience. These features are critical for live streaming, which requires high bandwidth and low latency to deliver smooth, high-definition video and audio in real time.
Here are the key aspects of 5G that impact live streaming:
1.Speed: 5G networks can offer speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, enabling streaming 4K and even 8K videos without buffering.
2.Latency: The lower latency of 5G (as low as one millisecond) means minimal delay between the
recording and viewing of the live stream, creating a more interactive experience.
3.Capacity: 5G can connect more devices at once, supporting large live-streaming events with thousands of viewers without losing quality.
5G Network Technology’s role in enhancing the quality and accessibility of Live Streaming
Rayvolution Creative Technology Consulting, a leading creative technology company, is a compelling case study of the revolutionary power of the 5G network. Having worked at the forefront of innovation and creativity at Rayvolution Creative Technology Consulting, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of utilising the 5G network technology.
One of the critical challenges we tackled for the 4th International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration in partnership with Bruyante was delivering high-quality streams from various stakeholders worldwide simultaneously to multiple platforms in different languages, with minimal latency, to a global audience while also receiving live feed from speakers and panellists from other locations around the world. The International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration is a global event focused on ensuring the safety and security of educational institutions in conflict zones. The conference gathered government representatives, international organisations, educators, and advocates to discuss strategies and share best practices for protecting schools, students, and teachers from attacks and military use during armed conflicts. CNN’s Arit Okpo hosted it.
This event was hosted in Africa for the first time at the African Union Secretariat in Abuja, and many stakeholders had to join virtually. The 5G network infrastructure, however, was a significant step in our journey towards leveraging technology for seamless broadcast. Other technical initiatives were also implemented to optimise and enhance user experience while experiencing the broadcast.
We understood the need for the various stakeholders and the high audience volume to interact live with minimal delay in their interactions. Instead of relying on 3G or 4G, which were prone to lagging, we decided to leverage the 5G network as a redundancy input stacked with a dedicated fibre link, which was novel then. The results speak for themselves:
Talk about scalability driving innovation! The potential of this technology is vast, allowing us, broadcast media professionals, to conquer new territories that we could otherwise not previously attempt because of the previous unreliable network infrastructure, making it now possible to continue the engagement from the likes of touring artists and multi-location conferences, that need to send feed and audio signals back and forth. We’re only just beginning to scratch the surface.
Looking Ahead: As 5G Network capabilities become widely known.
Broadcast Media productions are constantly evolving and adapting to new technologies and customer demands. Companies that fail to embrace innovation risk getting left behind. The successful implementation of the 5G network by Rayvolution Creative Technology Consulting at the 4th International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration event and many other events ranging from, Live Concerts, Annual General Meetings for some of the biggest brands in Africa, product launches, and Religious and Social Events demonstrates the power of this technology. However, this is just the beginning.
The advent of 5G technology marks a new era for live broadcast via online streaming platforms, offering unprecedented speed, low latency, and high capacity. These advancements enhance the quality and accessibility of live streams, making it possible to deliver immersive, high-definition content to a global audience.
As 5G continues to roll out worldwide, we expect to see even more innovative applications and improved live streaming services, transforming how we consume and engage with live content. For software engineers and media producers, embracing 5G technology will be vital to staying at the forefront of this digital revolution. Future possibilities include virtual reality (VR) streams, augmented reality (AR) overlays, and more interactive, immersive experiences.
As creative technology pioneers, we must remain at the forefront of technological innovation. This requires a commitment to continuous learning, exploring emerging technologies, and fostering a culture of experimentation. By staying ahead of the curve, we can develop solutions that address the evolving needs of our customers and propel the creative and media industry forward.
Written by Gift Edah, Founder and Lead Creative, Rayvolution Creative Technology Consulting. Feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn.
