Dorna launches the world’s first standalone 5G network in MotoGP

At the British GP, BT Esporte, Dorna, VisLink and the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow) demonstrated the potential of a private and independent 5G network at MotoGP.

During the experience, live images were broadcast to a global audience from a portable 5G camera that was on the grid prior to each of the races. An on-board 5G-linked camera also streamed images from a test bike.

VisLink supplied two new products for this test. The first is a 5G version of its H-cam wireless camera transmitter, and the second is a new 5G on-board bike transmitter that was installed on the media bike to provide high-speed live images from the heart of the event.

Both were connected to a private software-defined 5G network provided by the University of Strathclyde that covered the pitlane, paddock and part of the circuit. These images were supplied to Dorna’s production team who produce the International Production Feed (IPF), which is then shared with rights holders, including BT Sport. BT Sport also had the feed in their production control and cut it live at appropriate times to help narrate the races with full emotion.

Andy Beale, chief engineer at BT Sport, said, “This was a successful collaboration between the partners showcasing the power of a standalone 5G network to enhance sports production.” Mickey Miller, CEO of Vislink, also wanted to “acknowledge the collaboration with Qualcomm in helping us achieve our joint goal.”