The Cross-Country races of FIS Junior World Ski Championships (JWSC) that will be held in Vuokatti in February are livestreamed by utilizing 5G technology. A contract between the event organizer, Vuokatti Sport, a Finnish telecommunications company, Elisa, and a Finnish Software-based TV-production service provider, Kepit Systems, guarantees the livestreaming of the event is in good hands. In Finland, the competitions can be viewed through Elisa Cable TV, while the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is in charge of the international rights.
There is a growing demand for the livestreaming of sport and other live events. The utilization of 5G technology provides a new approach that is easier than the traditional TV production. 5G offers up to 10 times faster connections, an increased capacity and an improved possibility to carry out livestreaming during outdoor sports.
The JWSC of Vuokatti will be mostly streamed through 5G phones, which have been placed throughout the race tracks. Live video will be sent from these phones to Kepit Systems where the broadcast will be made ready for the viewers. All of the races can be viewed through Elisa Cable TV and as a result of the contract between Vuokatti Sport and EBU, the races are also available through various broadcasting companies such as Yle Areena in Finland, NRK TV in Norway and SVT Play in Sweden.
‒ We want to stay current with the development of sports events and live streaming plays a big role in this. JWSC is a major event for us so it is great that we have a chance to cooperate with big players in the field and streaming of the competitions will be of high quality. This would have not been possible without the solution from Elisa and Kepit Systems. We are not the only ones benefiting from the livestreaming, but also the athletes, teams and the whole sport of cross-country skiing will benefit from this. 5G is a great opportunity for us and I am confident that we can utilize it also in the future in other events, says the Sales Manager of Vuokatti Sport, Tomi-Pekka Riihivuori.
‒ JWSC will be streamed utilizing Elisa 5G network which has been in Vuokatti already for a while now. Thanks to the 5G network there is enough capacity in Vuokatti for a good quality broadcast and we can offer a new solution for the livestreaming of sports events. Together with Vuokatti Sport we can set an example of how 5G technology can be used as its best, says the Business Manager of Elisa Ilkka Pohtola.
‒ We have been developing the 5G-hybrid technology that is used for the broadcast for over a year and now finally we get to use it in this big of event. 5G connections enable large scale outdoor productions easier than before and by utilizing our hybrid technology we can put together the best features of the traditional TV production and the new 5G technology, tells Jussi Uljas from Kepit Systems.