Low-Power Station to Experiment With 5G Broadcasting

Low-power television station WWOO-LD in Boston applied for an experimental license from the FCC to broadcast in 5G, it said Monday. 5G broadcasting is a method of using broadcast spectrum to transmit data that can be received by existing 5G devices, Frank Copsidas, president of the LPTV Broadcasters Association, said in an interview Saturday. Qualcomm and XGen Networks are also involved in the undertaking. 5G broadcast is an alternate method of datacasting from ATSC 3.0, which requires devices to have 3.0-capable receivers to get the signal. “ATSC 3.0 is a huge step forward for full power stations, but challenges remain,” said WWOO’s website. 5G broadcasting is more suited to LPTV stations because of interference concerns, Copsidas said. Full-power broadcasters using the technology would interfere with a huge swath of other 5G signals, whereas LPTV stations have a more reduced reach, he said. “As a broadcaster, WWOO will air one programming stream and data stream,” said a WWOO news release. “Software and apps for smartphones, tablets, and commercial receivers have been or in the process of being developed.” The application still needs FCC approval, and the test facility hasn’t yet been built, Copsidas said.