ETV Rolls Out 5G Broadcast in Serbia with Rohde & Schwarz

Why It Matters

Introducing 5G Broadcast strengthens Serbia’s media infrastructure, enabling richer mobile services and meeting the demand of large‑scale events like Expo 2027.

Key Takeaways

• First 5G Broadcast transmitter deployed in Serbia
• Four TH1 4.5 kW transmitters added for DVB‑T2
• One TH1 1 kW transmitter dedicated to 5G Broadcast
• Project targets Expo 2027, boosting national broadcast capacity
• Rohde & Schwarz’s equipment reduces energy use, carbon footprint

Pulse Analysis

The rollout of 5G Broadcast in Serbia marks a pivotal shift from traditional terrestrial transmission toward a hybrid model that merges broadcast reliability with mobile‑grade data rates. While DVB‑T2 continues to serve legacy TV audiences, the new 1 kW TH1 transmitter will deliver multicast services directly to 5G‑enabled devices, reducing latency and expanding coverage in urban and suburban zones. For a market that has relied heavily on analog and early‑digital infrastructure, this upgrade offers a scalable pathway to future‑proof content delivery.

Rohde & Schwarz’s TH1 platform brings high efficiency and modularity to ETV’s transmission network. The four 4.5 kW units will replace aging gap‑fillers, delivering robust DVB‑T2 signals across the Belgrade metropolitan area, while the dedicated 5G Broadcast transmitter leverages beamforming and adaptive power control to minimize energy draw. This aligns with ETV’s sustainability goals, cutting operational costs and lowering its carbon footprint. The partnership builds on a decade‑long relationship, ensuring seamless integration with existing antenna farms and simplifying maintenance cycles.

Beyond technical gains, the deployment positions Serbia as a regional leader in next‑generation broadcasting ahead of Expo 2027, an event expected to draw millions of visitors and generate heightened demand for high‑quality, low‑delay media services. Mobile network operators can piggyback on the broadcast layer to offload traffic, improving user experience during peak periods. The initiative also signals to neighboring markets that hybrid broadcast‑mobile solutions are viable, potentially spurring further investments across the Balkans and accelerating the continent’s digital transformation.