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At MDL Communications, we are always keeping an eye on the latest innovations in broadcast technology. A recent success story from the Henley Festival in the UK caught our attention, demonstrating just how powerful the combination of private 5G networks and mobile transmitters can be for live event production.
The Challenge of the Crowd
Anyone who has attended a major festival knows the struggle of trying to get a signal. With over 27,000 guests at the Henley Festival, public 4G and 5G networks quickly become congested. For broadcast teams, this unpredictability is a nightmare. Traditionally, the solution has been to rely on wired cameras, but cables are heavy, cumbersome, and severely restrict where a camera operator can go.
The Private 5G Solution
To solve this, Haivision partnered with wireless specialists Neutral Wireless and production company QTV to deploy a private 5G network. Unlike public networks shared by thousands of smartphones, this dedicated slice of connectivity provided the production team with guaranteed bandwidth and ultra-low latency.
The Tech Stack
The setup allowed for a level of flexibility that traditional setups simply can't match. Here is the technology that made it happen:
- Haivision Pro4 Mobile Transmitters: Connected to stage-side cameras, these allowed operators to shoot high-quality video without being tethered by wires.
- MoJoPro App: Roaming operators used professional smartphones on gimbals equipped with this app. They could move freely through the crowd, capturing authentic, on-the-ground reactions from the riverside to the audience.
- Haivision StreamHub: This receiver acted as the central hub, supporting onsite production and even allowing for remote camera shading.
Delivering an Immersive Experience
The result was an immersive broadcast that captured the true "vibe" of the festival. Gareth Gordon, COO of QTV, called the technology a "gamechanger," noting that it allowed them to capture angles and experiences that would have been impossible otherwise.
As we look toward the future of live production, the Henley Festival trial proves that private 5G is more than just a buzzword—it is a viable, scalable solution for delivering high-quality, immersive content from the most challenging environments.
Interested in learning more about mobile broadcasting solutions? Contact MDL Communications today to discuss your next project.
You can read the original article regarding the Henley Festival on the Haivision website.