Opportunities for emerging 5G and Wi-Fi 6E technology in modern wireless production

Wireless IP links for video and audio are increasingly important in modern production workflows. 5G is finding numerous applications with widespread interest across Europe in both its public mobile network and private (non-public) network forms. Initiatives by CEPT regulators are promoting the band 3800–4200 MHz for low-to-medium power private 5G applications and an ECC Decision is expected soon. This would increase the market potential for private 5G NR systems, enabling economies of scale and cost reductions. Applications include broadcast production, smart factories, neutral hosting, and enterprise networks for business campuses. Equipment using new Open RAN 5G architectures defined by the O-RAN alliance is also emerging. This is in principle enabling diversification of the supply chain and interoperability between radio units and distributed units from different vendors, reducing reliance on single-vendor solutions. Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 technology deployed at 6 GHz is maturing and the commodity Wi-Fi 6E standard potentially has value in wireless programme-making and special events (PMSE), where the Wi-Fi 2 and Wi-Fi 5 standards have proved unsuitable. The upper 6 GHz band used for Wi-Fi 6E in the USA (6425–7125 MHz) is being considered for 5G in Europe by CEPT regulators. This potentially creates further opportunities for 5G, once compatible user equipment also becomes available. This paper examines the changing regulatory framework and the complex technical choices now available to broadcasters for modern wireless IP production. The performance of Split 7-2 O-RAN and Wi-Fi 6E is compared to traditional Split 8 and Wi-Fi 5 implementations to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the emerging technologies. The suitability of different technologies for wireless audio and video links in broadcast production and the spectrum regulatory issues are also discussed.