5G TV ‘could rival cable, satellite and IPTV’

TV and video delivery will become a “core capability” of 5G wireless services, allowing mobile providers to offer TV-equivalent services, according to new research.

The Strategy Analytics report claims that 5G-delivered offerings could eat into the US$500 billion global TV and video market currently served by cable, satellite, IPTV and terrestrial broadcast service providers.

“Recent demonstrations have suggested that 5G will support 1Gbps data throughput rates. Combining 5G with other networking enhancements and technologies would allow operators to support TV-equivalent services,” according to the research.

Strategy Analytics’ director of service provider analysis, Sue Rudd claims that network technologies will “make or break” the business case for 5G TV services.

“The efficiency of the end-to-end network will determine whether 5G TV is possible, but we have seen enough from early demonstrations by operators like Verizon, Deutsche Telekom, SK Telecom, AT&T and BT to suggest that it will arrive sooner or later in many parts of the world.”

Michael Goodman, Strategy Analytics’ director, TV and media strategies added: “Television is already being transformed by new digital services like Netflix and Amazon. The arrival of 5G TV wireless services could herald another wave of TV disruption through the 2020s and beyond.”