TVU Networks’ Cloud-Native Tools Optimize Available Bandwidth, Latency, and Cell Connections in 5G Catalonia Project

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – January 27, 2023 – TVU Networks played a key role in Spanish public broadcaster betevé’s successful fully cloud-based live multi-camera production over a private, standalone 5G network. The initiative is part of Spain’s 5G Catalonia project – one of several 5G pilot development grants awarded by Red.es looking to energize 5G transmission in the Barcelona region.

Using TVU Networks’ cloud native technology, La Xarxa and betevé synchronized, edited and distributed multiple live audio and video signals for the newscast “btv notícies migdia” over a private 5G network. The live production demonstrated the expansive capacity of the TVU ecosystem within a 5G network, including the ability to transport and edit multiple HD signals remotely with a high-quality, low-latency broadcast output.

Spanish broadcasters La Xarxa and betevé produced the content, sending the live broadcast over a 5G network made available by telecom providers Cellnex Telecom, Grupo Masmovil and Lenovo. Spanish telco consulting firm Nae handled project management for the pilot. 

The strengthened bonded cellular connections, sub-second latency and increased signal quality of TVU’s technology provide an ideal solution for multi-camera live production over 5G. The low latency of TVU solutions over 5G made it possible to conduct live interviews for “btv notícies migdia” without signal delays and to control robotic cameras remotely. With its high-capacity bandwidth, multiple HD signals can be delivered simultaneously. 

The cloud native TVU Networks ecosystem consisted of TVU One 5G mobile transmitters, the TVU Producer live video production platform, and the TVU Anywhere mobile app, enabling the video contribution and editing of up to five live signals from betevé robotic, studio and cell phone cameras.

With TVU Anywhere, betevé and La Xarxa synchronized the video and audio over a cloud-based server. Once in the cloud, the various camera signals were mixed using the TVU Producer remote production system. The remote news content was then distributed to the Internet, social networks, and downloaded to betevé’s broadcast studio. At the studio, the cloud-produced video was integrated with the rest of the content in the DTT broadcast.

Cellnex Telecom Product Manager Xavi Redon led the pilot project and summarized its results this way: “Through our partnership with TVU, we’ve verified that over a 5G network we can transport several camera signals in HD resolution to the cloud, remotely control multiple cameras at different locations, and finally broadcast this live content with low latency. It also showed that recording and live transmission over 5G terminals is a cheap and flexible resource with the quality needed for broadcast.”

“TVU’s cloud-based tools in combination with 5G private networks and mobile transmitters provide the ultimate flexibility and reliability for remote live event production because they remove any concern about bandwidth availability and signal delays during the event,” said betevé Director Sergi Vicente.

La Xarxa CEO Marc Melillas pointed to the value of private 5G networks in congested environments and areas with less broadband coverage: “5G private networks will allow us to use portable backpacks to make contributions even in completely crowded squares or in areas where there is currently not enough coverage. This technology will facilitate the realization of retransmissions that until now were far too complicated to deploy.”

“The 5G infrastructure, expanded network capacity and flexible configuration is driving explosive growth in a variety of viewing experiences,” said Rafael Castillo, General Manager/Vice President, TVU Networks. “Greater demands are placed on wireless systems, including requirements for higher data rates, improved reliability, stability, and low latency transmission. These ground-breaking applications require a video-over-IP infrastructure with the capability and flexibility to enable them. We’re thrilled to play such an integral role in the innovative 5G Catalonia project.”

The same cloud-native TVU ecosystem will be used by La Xarxa and betevé for future broadcasts over a new, private 5G network to be provided by Cellnex.

About 5GCat

The 5G Catalonia project has been one of the awardees of the second call for grants for the development of 5G pilots launched at the end of 2019 by Red.es – an entity of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation – in the framework of the National 5G Plan. The initiative is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 5G Catalonia is being developed by a consortium of eight companies led by Cellnex Telecom and the Masmovil Group, with the participation of the Catalan operator Parlem Telecom, the company specializing in augmented reality for industry Aumenta Solutions, the engineering firm Atos, the consulting firm Nae, the technology firm Lenovo and the start-up Nearby Computing, a spin-off of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. In addition, the project is supported by the Mobile World Capital Barcelona foundation.

About TVU Networks®

TVU Networks is a global organization with more than 3,000 customers using its IP and cloud-based workflow solutions across multiple industries including news, entertainment media, sports, corporate, streaming, houses of worship and government. Through the use of AI and automation-driven technology, TVU helps broadcasters realize an efficient metadata and story-centric workflow through its TVU MediaMind platform for live video content acquisition, indexing, production, distribution and management. The company has been on the forefront of developing the tools needed to revolutionize and streamline the Media Supply Chain. TVU is a critical part of the operations of many major media companies worldwide and is a Technology and Engineering Emmy® Award winner.