5G implementation at the starting gates
We’re all aware of the frustrations with livestreaming. The latency is often terrible, either from the creator or viewer, the video and audio becomes degraded and then people eventually give up and switch off. 5G will take the frustration and pain away, allowing for a beautiful high-resolution experience that can take wired operations out of the equation, but still provide the quality we all expect and crave.
How could 5G transform horse racing for example, which is one of Hong Kong’s favourite traditional pastimes? Typically, the general punter will head to the track or the betting shop on a race day and place their bets, watching the action either live or on TV. However, what if interactivity could go to the next level? What if they could examine the action through HD drone filming on virtual reality headsets? As the horses race, graphical elements on the video feed would tell the punter the speed of the horses, their heart rates via wearable monitors, stats on betting, chances of winning, all appearing as augmented reality graphics.
On top of all this, 5G will enable 360° video for livestreaming, offering new perspectives on the action. Best of all, it is all in 8K resolution, bringing a new sense of clarity and boldness. It would be transformational for any sport to have this level of interactivity. In the past, one could only dream of this situation coming true – but with 5G, this could be an everyday occurrence, one that could be applied to many different areas.
Indeed, this is already happening with certain sports in Asia. “In live baseball broadcasts in Korea for example, people can use 5G phones to zoom in, zoom out, and look at replays from all types of angles. This technology and process can also be applied to entertainment such as K-pop, which allows for new types of in-detail interactivity and immersive experience, seeing and hearing performances up close and personal,” says Lam.
By relying on 8K video transmission and AR/VR, viewers will be able to experience the sensation of being physically present in the likes of gaming environments, music festivals and events with lower latency and top video quality. Educational talks, sports events, cultural happenings, career fairs and other events will be held online with ease, boosted by 360° live video. The commercial value will be significant, as augmented reality shopping tie-ins drive up sales of merchandise, memorabilia and related products.
Buckle up and get ready for the ride. 5G: Welcome to the future