EBU and Rai Go for Big Air with 5G Broadcast Trials at Milano Cortina

Why It Matters

The trials prove a scalable, resilient delivery method for live events and could reshape broadcast strategies and emergency communications worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• Rai, EBU test 5G broadcast at 2026 Olympics.
• Combines 5G with terrestrial TV for unlimited viewers.
• Trials target smartphones, free-to-air delivery via towers.
• Focus on reception, robustness in Rome, Turin regions.
• Aims to set interoperable standard for broadcasters.

Pulse Analysis

The successful 5G Broadcast showcase at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games proved that mobile‑grade spectrum can be repurposed for mass‑scale, free‑to‑air video distribution. By leveraging the same physical layer used for traditional broadcast, the technology sidesteps the capacity limits of cellular unicast, delivering identical streams to any compatible handset without adding traffic to the core network. Industry analysts note that this hybrid approach bridges the gap between legacy transmitters and next‑generation broadband, opening a pathway for broadcasters to reach audiences wherever they are, even in high‑density venues.

For Milano Cortina 2026, Rai and the European Broadcasting Union are extending that proof‑of‑concept into a pre‑commercial trial that relies on existing tower infrastructure across the Rome and Turin metropolitan areas. The experiment will stream live Olympic events directly to smartphones, tablets and other 5G‑enabled devices, measuring signal strength, latency, and user experience under the intense demand of a global sports spectacle. By combining terrestrial transmitters with 5G broadcast carriers, the partners aim to demonstrate unlimited user scalability while preserving the robustness of traditional over‑the‑air delivery.

The implications reach far beyond sports. A standardized 5G Broadcast ecosystem could become a cornerstone for emergency alerts, delivering critical information to every device without overloading cellular networks. Moreover, the trial encourages chipset manufacturers, handset makers, and network operators to align on a common protocol, accelerating commercial roll‑outs and reducing fragmentation. As broadcasters seek resilient, cost‑effective ways to augment OTT services, the success of these trials may redefine distribution strategies, positioning 5G Broadcast as a viable complement to both linear TV and streaming platforms.