KDDI, in collaboration with ABEMA, a cutting-edge TV network operated by AbemaTV, will be the first company in Japan to broadcast live video using 5G Stand Alone (5G SA).
This initiative will be implemented as part of the HIPHOP channel "ABEMAMIX," scheduled to broadcast from 7:00 p.m. on that same day and will provide stable video relay using 5G SA compatible smartphones and network slicing. In addition, KDDI will launch 5G SA service for enterprise customers on February 21, 2022.
- 5G SA offered to corporate customers
KDDI launched 5G services using the non-standalone method in 2020. 5G SA is a system that enables communications using only 5G technology, including Core facilities. In addition to high-speed and high-capacity communications, 5G SA enables the implementation of new functions such as network slicing. The introduction of 5G SA to industries that have traditionally used landlines is expected to improve operational efficiency and lower costs through the use of wireless technology.
- Outline of this initiative
A part of the video streamed live by ABEMA will be relayed through 5G SA compatible smartphones. When relaying video, it is necessary to ensure the quality of video transmission for relay even in areas where people gather, such as downtown areas. 5G SA not only enables high-capacity video transmission, but also enables stable video transmission unaffected by other communications by logically separating communications for relaying through network slicing. In the future, KDDI aims to reduce costs by simplifying relay facilities; and realize new video experiences with a sense of realism through multi-angle relay from smartphones.
Going forward, KDDI will continue its efforts to create enterprise use cases and new services for the 5G SA era, while supporting the DX of video relay and the realization of new video experiences.
Yusuke Masuda, in charge of studio facilities at CyberAgent,
At present, if stable transmission is not possible with 4G LTE, we have taken measures such as bundling lines with dedicated equipment, However, in the preliminary video relay test, KDDI was able to demonstrate that 5G SA's network slicing enables stable delivery even under heavy line load, which was more effective than we had expected. We have high expectations for KDDI's 5G SA to deliver high-quality, stable video to viewers when broadcasting live from the event site in the future.
