Ian Wagdin, senior technology transfer manager at BBC R&D, talks to TVBEurope about the broadcasters recent deployment of a private 5G network, and the lessons learnt
By Jenny Priestley
Published: August 18, 2022
Ian Wagdin, senior technology transfer manager at BBC R&D, talks to TVBEurope about the broadcaster's recent deployment of a private 5G network, and the lessons learnt
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
During the Commonwealth Games, the BBC tested 5G standalone non-public networks to provide live pictures from the centre of Birmingham.
Ian Wagdin, senior technology transfer manager at BBC R&D, talks to TVBEurope about what happened, and the lessons learnt.
Why did you take the decision to trial using 5G during the Commonwealth Games rather than an event like the Women's Euros? The Commonwealth Games is an ideal event with lots of activity over a long period from a fixed location. We knew we would have the ideal test conditions but also the ability to plan ahead and work with various teams to deliver their requirements. We started thinking about this trial before Christmas and worked with multiple teams both internally and externally to deliver a complex trial.
Had you done any testing before The One Show broadcast? We worked with BT and Vislink/Mobile Viewpoint to test the theory in the labs. We have also done some work on our own NPN in partnership with the University of Strathclyde. Up until now, these have been more focused on low latency applications for radio cameras, rather than the contribution workflow and how you might deploy this type of solution to support newsgathering and colour pieces around a major event. We have also piloted similar projects in partnership with the IBC Accelerators, but all of these have been one-off isolated trials using bespoke technologies and not a multiday deployment using commercial equipment.
The One Show's Richie Anderson live in Birmingham Was that the first time 5G has been used on a non-sport broadcast? We have used the public 5G networks since they became available in 2019, but this is the first time that we have deployed a standalone non-public network of this type. Public networks do provide a step up in the current technology, but they suffer from some limitations in that they are often reliant on 4G cores as well as being used by the public. By deploying the network in this way, we can guarantee quality of service as well as tune the network for greater uplink capabilities. We are also able to tune our coverage area so we can be sure of where our cameras will work and where they may be less reliable.
Who were your partners on the trial, and why did you choose to work with them? The network has been provided by BT Media and Broadcast and the camera encoders by Vislink's Mobile Viewpoint. BT are keen to explore the commercial and regulatory model for this type of solution and Mobile Viewpoint have a long history in bonded networks as well as the Vislink expertise in broadcast radio cameras, which means we could test multiple aspects of the solution.
Were you able to use network slicing? We did not need to deploy network slicing as part of this trial as we only had two devices with a dedicated uplink of 150 Mbps and there would have been no benefit in slicing the network. We are working on other projects that do benefit from slicing both on public and private networks.
How did the trial go, were there any surprises? The trial went better than expected with coverage proving more robust than we had anticipated. We were also able to explore behaviours such as cell hand over and roll over to the public network. As with all experimental technologies we wanted to measure a lot of edge use cases. Mobile networks behave differently from traditional broadcast diversity networks and this led to some issues with cell handover - we are working to better understand how this could be managed.
The BBC's network is in N77 spectrum centred on 4050 MHz, which enables it to tune for better uplink What was the biggest challenge? The biggest challenge with this type of project is to define and keep within scope. We took some conscious decisions to work on areas that had not been tested to date and not replicate previous work that has been done previously. As an industry, we have been very joined up with lots of sharing of outcomes though groups such as 5G MAG and the IBC Accelerators, and we are working with multiple partners to identify what worthwhile tests and trials look like.
Did you have RF backup in case of any problems? As this was an R&D trial, we were clear from the beginning that we were not broadcast critical. The BBC deployed both RF and bonded cellular over the period of the games to support its broadcast requirements.
Do you have plans to test the technology again soon? If so, when and what for? We are working on several 5G projects including the 5G Records project, which we will show on the EBU stand at IBC, as well as on some IBC Accelerator trials that build on what we have learnt from previous years. We also have our own NPN which we would like to use. We have proven the technology but there are some commercial and regulatory issues that need to be better understood to support this type of deployment. We are in close conversations with several broadcasters on how this technology may be deployed in the future.
What do you view as the future of 5G in broadcast production? There are several areas where 5G could benefit production. 5G is an IP based technology and while traditional RF is very well understood, as we move from digital to IP based workflows we want to start to take advantage of this. We want to explore how we may be able to use the backhaul for reverse channels such as camera control, talkback, prompters, tally lights etc, as well as how we can integrate wi
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
26/03/2026
Extron and Audio-Technica have announced that their Design Solutions devices, Ce...
26/03/2026
SPORTEL Asia took place March 24-25 at the Orchard Hotel Singapore, drawing 370 participants representing more than 220 companies from 35 countries. Approximate...
26/03/2026
LTN will demonstrate satellite-to-IP migration solutions for broadcasters, cable networks, MVPDs, and station groups at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W2100).
The C-Ban...
26/03/2026
The Seattle Mariners have partnered with Daktronics to install an upgraded outfi...
26/03/2026
The Esports Foundation (EF) has awarded National Team Partner status to organizations and individuals across more than 100 countries and territories for the Esp...
26/03/2026
Telestream has announced expanded integration between its Vantage workflow platf...
26/03/2026
FOR-A Corporation has announced a partnership with Nippon TV and NVIDIA to distr...
26/03/2026
CBS Sports and the WNBA have expanded their partnership through a new long-term, multiplatform rights agreement. CBS Sports will feature up to 20 regular-season...
26/03/2026
Zac Brown Band will star in the Sunday Night Baseball show open on NBC and Peacock, NBC Sports announced. The open was filmed at American Family Field, home of ...
26/03/2026
Major League Baseball opens the 2026 season with nationally televised games across multiple media partners. Fans can visit MLB.com/Watch for a complete schedule...
26/03/2026
DIRECTV has announced an agreement to carry nine new MLB-operated team channels, covering the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers (Detroit SportsNet), Kansas City R...
26/03/2026
Nationals.TV, the Washington Nationals' local broadcast channel, is now avai...
26/03/2026
Starting Thursday, March 26, MLB.TV will be available on the ESPN App, giving fans access to more than 2,000 out-of-market regular season games. Fans can also r...
26/03/2026
Spotify's partnership with NAVER, Korea's leading digital platform, is built around one simple goal: making it easier for listeners in Korea to discover...
26/03/2026
Exclusive to ComposerCloud for first month
Sample library and virtual instrument gurus EastWest have announced the upcoming release of a new virtual drum i...
26/03/2026
Friday 27 March
Friday 27 March will mark Dynamic Range Day 2026, the annual day of online activity that was started in 2010 by mastering engineer Ian Sheph...
26/03/2026
Includes four separate instruments
Max Richter's SRM Sounds venture have just announced their fifth release, ASMR Choir. Captured at the main live room ...
26/03/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), has been tasked with administering the Sixth Presi...
26/03/2026
By Matt Klein
Hello to everyone reading this - whether you're a current YEP, HPA member, or just YEP-curious. I'm Matt Klein, one of the co-chairs of t...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
28 participating companies, from start-ups to blue-chips, lead the UK Group as part of the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland presence across all the Halls at N...
26/03/2026
Arkona Unveils BLADE//planner and Major Usability Enhancements at NAB 2026
Brie Clayton March 26, 2026
0 Comments
New graphical configuration tool and...
26/03/2026
Bitfocus showcases complete control at NAB Show 2026
Brie Clayton March 26, 2026
0 Comments
Continuing development drives advances in security, availa...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Nevion introduces powerful new Panel Builder to enhance VideoIPath broadcast con...
26/03/2026
2026 Oscar Nominated Films Powered by Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton March 25, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio used on 27 of this year's no...
26/03/2026
Leader to present full suite of advanced Test & Measurement solutions at NAB Sho...
26/03/2026
Boston Conservatory to Present New England and Collegiate Premiere of Groundbrea...
26/03/2026
Thursday 26 March 2026
HBO Max included for Sky and NOW customers from 26 March...
26/03/2026
Thursday 26 March 2026
Sky Sets Iconic Costumes Dancing Together Like Never Before' in Brand CampaignTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy o...
26/03/2026
Wuppertal March 26, 2026
CS live Builds Future-Ready OB Van With Riedel MediorNet and hi Control SystemRiedel Communications today announced that Czech-based ...
26/03/2026
Back to All News
Have a Wish Worth Dying For? Netflix's First Korean YA Hor...
26/03/2026
Back to All News
The Truthers, Starring Jose Coronado and St phanie Magnin, Pre...
26/03/2026
Enhancements to Harmonic's Sports Streaming Solution Introduce Server-Side Multiview, Contextual Metadata-Driven Advertising, Dynamic In-Stream Ads and Robu...
26/03/2026
Open the report
Our 2025 report brings together results from 79 business magazine titles across 22 market sectors, published by 49 media owners. Over the year,...
26/03/2026
Editor's note: This post is part of Into the Omniverse, a series focused on ...
26/03/2026
RT Commercial today announced Fiat as sponsor of The Louise Duffy Show on RT Radio 1, Weekdays 3pm 4pm.
The Louise Duffy Show is the home of daytime music...
26/03/2026
That gaming backlog won't clear itself - GeForce NOW is here to help. Stream the latest titles straight from the cloud across a variety of devices.
This we...
26/03/2026
Wayne, N.J., March 26, 2026 Phantom High-Speed announces the latest product li...
Ian Wagdin, senior technology transfer manager at BBC R&D, talks to TVBEurope about the broadcasters recent deployment of a private 5G network, and the lessons learnt
