ARD Launches Pioneering 5G Broadcast Tests for Major Sporting Events
July 3, 2025 – Germany’s public broadcasting network ARD (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland) has taken a major leap forward in mobile broadcasting by using 5G Broadcast technology to stream live back-to-back coverage of UEFA Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympic Games. Partnering with Media Broadcast, ARD trialed this next-gen broadcast across five key cities—Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, and Halle—reaching an estimated 8 million people with high-quality, data-free live video on enabled smartphones and tablets tech.ebu.ch+15mcclurefamilyfarms.softeero.com+15ard.de+15.
📡 What is 5G Broadcast?
Unlike traditional unicast streaming that relies on individual data connections, 5G Broadcast sends one signal via UHF frequencies to many devices simultaneously—mirroring conventional TV broadcasting. This ensures zero data usage for end-users and avoids congestion during high-demand events mcclurefamilyfarms.softeero.com+3informitv.com+3smartphonemagazine.nl+3. In ARD's tests, live match streams played flawlessly on public transit and in densely packed areas like Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion ebu.ch+5ard.de+5informitv.com+5.
🎯 Why ARD Is Championing 5G Broadcast
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Unparalleled reliability: During major events, mobile networks often fail or suffer overload. In contrast, broadcast transmitter networks remain stable—even during emergencies tech.ebu.ch.
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Zero-data viewing: Smartphones receive streams without consuming user data plans, offering a premium user experience media-broadcast.squarespace.com+6smartphonemagazine.nl+6mcclurefamilyfarms.softeero.com+6.
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Mass scalability: ARD’s one-to-many broadcast model supports unlimited simultaneous viewers—ideal for live sports reddit.com+15mcclurefamilyfarms.softeero.com+15technology.eu+15.
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Future-readiness: With 3GPP Release 17 standardizing broadcast capabilities, a new breed of 5G-ready smartphones from brands like Samsung and Xiaomi is expected in 2025 teltarif.de+1arxiv.org+1.
🧪 Trial Highlights & Field Tests
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Cities involved: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Halle/Saale—collectively covering around 8 million residents informitv.com+5mcclurefamilyfarms.softeero.com+5smartphonemagazine.nl+5.
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User experience: Test viewers in transit reported seamless playback without interruption—even between bus, train, and stadium ard.de.
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Devices: Trials ran on prototype 5G Broadcast smartphones; consumer adoption hinges on future device compatibility informitv.com+1rohde-schwarz.com+1.
🔄 Looking Ahead: National Rollout on the Horizon
The insights from these high-profile trials are influencing ARD and Media Broadcast’s decision-making toward a broader deployment. While full-scale service in Germany remains pending, major European operators are already planning commercial 5G Broadcast services by 2027 through a coordinated roadmap ard.de+7media-broadcast.squarespace.com+7rohde-schwarz.com+7.
Additionally, Germany’s early mover advantage sets the stage to enhance not only entertainment content—such as live sports—but also critical public warning systems that remain operational during network outages .
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