Vertical: Broadcasting
Application: Broadcasting
Ecosystem: Orange, Samsung
Private Network: 5G
As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris 2024 Olympics, Orange, the official connectivity provider for the event, is making waves with its innovative private 5G network deployment. The leading technology promises to revolutionize broadcasting capabilities and enhance the overall Olympic experience.
Orange’s private 5G network is a standalone infrastructure, operating independently from public networks to ensure dedicated resources for broadcasters. The coverage will span key venues, including the iconic Stade de France, Arena Bercy, and a 6km stretch of the Seine river. This strategic deployment aims to provide broadcasters with high and stable upload speeds, ultra-low latency, and superior security intrinsic to the technology.
One of the most innovative aspects of this deployment involves a collaboration with Samsung. Over 200 Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones will be installed on 85 vessels to capture HDR footage of the opening ceremony, which will then be streamed via Orange’s private 5G network. This unique use case demonstrates the network’s capability to handle high-quality, real-time video transmission in challenging environments.
For broadcasters, the benefits of this private 5G network are substantial. The high-speed, low-latency infrastructure will facilitate the transmission of high-definition footage in near real-time, ensuring viewers around the world receive crisp, clear images of the Olympic events. The dedicated nature of the network also guarantees reliable connectivity, even in high-traffic scenarios that are common during major sporting events. Additionally, the private network provides an extra layer of security for sensitive broadcast data.
Orange’s initiative is part of a growing trend in sports broadcasting. Recent examples include T-Mobile US’s use of private 5G at the PGA Championship and Deutsche Telekom’s implementation for Euro 2024. This shift towards private networks underscores the increasing demand for reliable, high-performance connectivity in live sports coverage.
While the primary focus of the private 5G network is on enhancing broadcasting capabilities, Orange is also leveraging this technological showcase to drive consumer 5G adoption. The company is offering temporary 5G access to existing 4G customers during the Games, potentially spurring long-term upgrades and familiarizing users with the benefits of 5G technology.
Orange’s private 5G network for the Paris 2024 Olympics represents a significant leap forward in sports broadcasting technology. As the largest spectrum allocation in Olympic history, this deployment sets a new standard for connectivity at major sporting events.
