5G - Changing the Future of Video

By Harvey Wright, Head of Optus 5G

Australians love to stream video, whether it’s at home or on the go.  5G is about to make that experience even better.

If content is king, then we live in a truly regal age.  Not only are Australians spoilt for choice in terms of things to watch - Netflix, Stan, Prime, Apple TV+,Disney+ and more - but we are watching streamed content at unprecedented levels. According to research by Roy Morgan, in 2019, over 14.5 million Australians have access to some form of Pay TV/Subscription  .

The great news is that streaming video is about to get even better thanks to 5G, which offers the latest generation of wireless technology.

Firstly, 5G will provide faster speeds for both Home and Mobile customers.  As a general rule, the faster the connection speed, the better the quality of video the connection can support.  For example, Netflix recommends a connection speed of at least 3 Megabits per second (Mbps) for a  Standard Definition video stream, whereas a High Definition stream requires 5Mbps.  The required connection speed increases significantly if there are multiple users on a single connection, which is common in a family or multi-person household.

For many Australians, their home internet connection isn’t fast enough to support 4K Ultra High definition video, which is currently the highest quality of video streaming available.  This is despite the fact that the majority of Australian households already have 4K-ready TVs. The good news is that, as at 30 May 2020, a 5G Home connection provides speeds on average of 138 Mbps*, well above what’s required to enjoy 4K to the fullest. 

Secondly, 5G will provide bandwidth that allows multiple users to stream content simultaneously.  This will become important in areas where many people congregate, such as stadiums or concert venues.

Despite these useful features, improved connection speed and bandwidth are not enough to deliver a superior streaming video experience by themselves.  When video is streamed over the internet, it must transit across multiple connections in the network.  At each of these transit points, there is the potential for the video stream to be slowed or interrupted - the video will only ever be as fast as the slowest link in the chain.  To avoid this, networks can be designed to identify and prioritise streaming video traffic end-to-end. 

The current benefits of buying 5G Home Internet for streaming content are clear, but what about the future?  How will 5G change the way we watch video content over the next few years?

As 5G technology advances, it will enable even higher connection speeds, lower latency and improved processing power for video rendering and special effects.  One of the benefits of this advanced capability will be the potential for Virtual Reality (VR) broadcasts.  Rather than watching a concert on a flat TV screen, VR Broadcast will allow viewers to experience the concert as if they’re actually there in person or even on stage with the performer.  By donning a VR headset, the viewer will be transported into an immersive entertainment experience, the potential of which is limited only by the imagination of content producers and broadcasters.

Augmented Reality (AR) is another way in which the video experience will be enhanced for users of 5G.  AR will allow users wearing connected glasses to have video content overlayed against their current (real world) field of vision.  Imagine watching a live sporting event where computer-generated stats appear next to players as they run around the field  or enjoying a virtual fireworks display at a concert without a single fuse being lit.

Finally, 5G will allow individual users to ‘broadcast’ their own immersive virtual content real-time to an audience.  This will allow people to be shown around the Pyramids of Giza by an expert tour-guide or join a friend in Time Square on New Years’ Eve without leaving the comfort of your sofa. 

Now that’s what I call entertainment!

Optus 5G rolling out in selected areas. Not available in NT or TAS. Check if 5G is available in your are here .

*Average download speed accurate as at 30 May 2020. Average download speed is calculated over the previous 3 month period between 7pm and 11pm. Past performance is not an indication of expected future speed. The actual speed you will experience depends on a number of factors including demand on the network. Learn more.