How do you feel when you’re streaming and you come across the message “buffering?
It’s frustrating, right?
With technological advancement, the way people consume streaming content has changed. Tech innovations like 5G have changed the video streaming and music streaming industry to a great extent. In this blog, we will dive deep into how 5G has improved quality and accessibility for streaming fans.
What is 5G Technology?
Fifth-generation wireless cellular is termed 5G technology. It provides improved capacity and reliable connection that other networks.
Usage of 5G technology results in video performance improvement. Besides it improved viewers viewing experience by almost 37%.
5G technology evolve the video streaming landscape in the following ways:
- Provides speeds
- Decreases latency
- Improves overall experience
5G technology in short helps to address various issues including poor buffering and download speed. It has opened new opportunities for content providers to reach more audiences and satisfy their enjoyment hunger efficiently.
How 5G Will Transform the Streaming Industry?
According to Statista in 2024, the user penetration rate for video streaming services was 18%, expected to increase and reach 70% by 2027. The market is dominated by a video streaming platform like Netflix and other players. Due to the availability of original content, the subscriber base of this platform is increasing steadily.
Source: (Statista)
Due to increasing popularity, streaming platforms had to find ways to satisfy user demands for 4K and HD content. This became possible due to the introduction of 5G technology, supporting better performance and improving viewers’ overall experience. From ultra-fast downloads to HD streaming, 5G helps streaming platforms provide a better experience. Besides it helps to overcome challenges come across due to 4G and Wi-Fi networks.
Addressing Bandwidth Limitations
When streaming live sports events there is a delay between what showing on viewers’ screens and what happening on the field. However, when it comes to cloud-based gaming, latency plays a crucial role as on average it’s measured at around 50 MS.
Viewers’ activities are bandwidth-intensive. HD-quality video streaming requires approximately 200 Mbps, hence users experience poor experience due to 4G or Wi-Fi network.
With 5G technology. viewers can experience improvement in bandwidth and latency. 5G decreases end-to-end latency and improves the live events streaming production on mobile devices. Now no need for higher server costs instead as a broadcaster you can lower the cost per gigabyte, making streaming cost-effective for you.
Better AD Delivery
Better experience results in better monetization. And 5G technology has provided this to the streaming industry.
During the first half of 2024, the online video ad investment reached around £4.12 billion. The vast majority is expected to reach 82% in the coming years.
Source: (eMarketer)
The lack of serve inventory and playback problems results in missing ad opportunities. As the ads aren’t played well or on time, it results in losing the monetizing opportunities. As 5G technology provides better bandwidth and lower latency, it will ensure ads are run on time and thus provides great money-making opportunities.
Video ads have become the driver for digital ad spending and prove to be a long-term trend. 5G makes it easier for service providers to access analytics and ad insertion platforms. Better the ad quality -more engagement resulting in more profits.
COVID-19 spread when limited live events access, users used to stream video. More innovative streaming services have helped to fill the gap and all thanks to 5G technology. This modern technology has empowered broadcasters to offer high-quality content to engage more viewers.
Seamless Mobile Streaming
As there are more than 7.26 billion mobile phone users, it’s the main mode for accessing streaming content. The introduction of 5G has boosted streaming to the next level. Whether it’s a musical festival or online sports streaming, viewers get frustrated when they have poor contention or a lower network.
5G technology addresses all these problems by providing viewers with better connection and performance. Mobile users can enjoy HD or 4K streaming that also without quality drops or buffering. This technology proves to be a boon while live streaming or during downloading HD movies or shows. Instance download facilitates users to watch content at their convenience that also without the need to stay online.
Content Creation and Immersive Media
Besides improving streaming performance, 5G technology also impacts content creation. The greater bandwidth and lower latency 5G offers help content creators deliver an immersive media experience. This includes the rise of 360-degree videos and virtual reality, which requires substantial bandwidth.
These immersive content types limit the capabilities of Wi-Fi and 4G networks. Faster speed and improved streaming experience provide a better experience to users. AR and VR content can easily be streamed due to 5G, enabling users to eliminate the poor quality and stuttering issues.
Moreover, 5G technology enables content creators to provide a better experience. For example, viewers can engage with live streaming through real-time polls, making content more personalized. This facilitates content creators to try their hands with new formats and methods that help them keep viewers engaged and coming back.
Decrease Cost and Boost Efficiency
5G technology improves streaming quality and decreases delivery content costs for streaming platforms. As 5G boosts traffic with more efficiency, streaming platforms deliver high-quality content without increasing data transmission costs.
With 5G network capabilities, these streaming platforms allocate more efficient network resources. This enables you to deliver 4K and 8K video content, resulting in lower costs.
Less data consumption due to the 5G network is essential for those streaming on smart devices with limited internet plans. Most streaming platforms pass these savings to their subscribers, decreasing the delivery content cost while improving the streaming quality experience.
Enhanced User Experience
We all know that streaming platforms provide personalized content and 5G technology improves these capabilities to a great extent. The faster and more reliable connection enables streaming platforms to collect user data and optimize user experience. AI-powered tools broadcasters to deliver personalized recommendations to viewers based on their preferences.
As 5G technology provides faster data transmission, it’s easier to update and deliver faster recommendations, providing users with relevant content whenever they want. With 5G technology, the streaming platform can easily adjust its streaming quality based on internet speed and viewers’ devices. This helps to provide a better experience on all types of devices.
Future of Streaming with 5G Technology
The advent of technology has proven to be a boon for the world and the same is the case with 5G. It provides faster spend and boosts the mobile streaming experience for viewers. Whereas provides better opportunities for broadcasters and content creators to reach a wider audience and generate revenue with more ads streaming.
5G usage helps streaming platforms to provide better experiences. The future of streaming is undoubtedly associated with 5G technology adoption, as it’s going to share the media industry to a great extent in the upcoming years.
