MotoGP stands up the world’s first ultra-fast standalone 5G broadcasting system
One of 5G's major future use cases is being able to stream live events in 8k without the need for hideously expensive professional broadcast equipment.
Key takeaways
- During the event live pictures where broadcast to a worldwide audience from a 5G handheld camera which was on the grid before each of Sundays races while an onboard 5G camera also beamed back pictures from a test bike.
- BT Sport also had the feed in their production gallery and cut it up live at the appropriate times to help tell the stories of the day.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2021) 'MotoGP stands up the world’s first ultra-fast standalone 5G broadcasting system', 311 Institute, 29 September. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/motogp-stands-up-the-worlds-first-ultra-fast-standalone-5g-broadcasting-system/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
5G has been rolling out around the world for a while now, but most 5G installations aren’t standalone – that’s to say they are the slower versions of 5G not the ultra fast 1.5 Gbps version. But, in a world first at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, and in a ground breaking collaboration between BT Sport, Dorna, Vislink,and the University of Strathclyde, MotoGP just showcased the world’s first standalone private 5G network for sports broadcasting – which is seen as a key use case for future 5G deployments.
During the event live pictures where broadcast to a worldwide audience from a 5G handheld camera which was on the grid before each of Sundays races while an onboard 5G camera also beamed back pictures from a test bike.
Vislink supplied two brand new products for this trial. The first was a 5G version of their tried and tested the H-Cam handheld wireless camera transmitter, and the second was a brand new 5G bike onboard transmitter that was fitted to the bike to stream live high-speed 8k video images from the heart of the action. These were connected to a private standalone software defined 5G network provided by the University of Strathclyde that covered the pitlane, paddock, and part of the circuit.
These pictures were then streamed to the Dorna production team producing the International Production Feed (IPF) for the event which was then shared with rightsholders including BT Sport. BT Sport also had the feed in their production gallery and cut it up live at the appropriate times to help tell the stories of the day.
Andy Beale, Chief Engineer BT Sport said: “This was a successful collaboration between partners showcasing the power of a standalone 5G network to enhance sports production.”
"We would also like to acknowledge the collaboration with Qualcomm in helping us achieve our joint goal," added Mickey Miller, Vislink CEO.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
One of 5G's major future use cases is being able to stream live events in 8k without the need for hideously expensive professional broadcast equipment.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on connected society and the future of your organisation.
Sources and further reading
- most 5G installations aren’t standalone ericsson.com
- ultra fast 1.5 Gbps vodafone.co.uk
- Dorna dorna.com
- Vislink vislink.com
- H-Cam vislink.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 29 September 2021. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2021). MotoGP stands up the world’s first ultra-fast standalone 5G broadcasting system. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/motogp-stands-up-the-worlds-first-ultra-fast-standalone-5g-broadcasting-system/
You are welcome to quote this article with credit and a link to the original.