Huawei and Vodafone Spain trial LTE broadcast technology for the first time in Spain

[Madrid, Spain, June 23, 2015] Huawei and Vodafone Spain recently carried out the trial for the LTE broadcast eMBMS (Evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services) technology for the first time in Spain, which allows the distribution of multimedia content to an unlimited number of users by reusing the existing 4G network.

The first trial in Spain of LTE broadcast technology, carried out by Huawei and Vodafone, offered 5 channels of multimedia content in HD formaton May 17, 2015.

This eMBMS solution in Vodafone´s network is one of the first in Europe and the most ambitious in the world, offering 5 channels in HD (High Definition) format.

This innovative technology trial, which is already available in the portfolio of Huawei and ready for commercial deployment, took place on May 17 at Estadio Mestalla in Valencia. During the match Valencia vs Celta, a selection of users could have real time access to five channels of multimedia content from the game, by using smartphones that support the new eMBMS technology. This was accomplished thanks to the cooperation between Huawei, Vodafone and Valencia CF.

Jin Yong, Managing Director of Huawei Carrier Business in Spain, stated “The implementation of this technology for broadcasting multimedia content, through Vodafone's 4G network, reaffirms our leadership to provide ambitious and innovative technology solutions, the trust of our customers and our willingness to keep our contribution to a Better Connected World”.

The LTE broadcast technology reuses the current 4G LTE spectrum and allocates only a small fragment to the multicast purpose, which transmits multimedia content from a single source to multiple receivers.

To ensure a better user experience, all sectors in the 4G area transmit the same signal carrying identical content, so that the reception is improved and the signal of the LTE broadcast is strengthened. For this experience it is only required that the user installs an application on a device with eMBMS technology.

By using this end-to-end technical solution, the multichannel broadcast of diverse multimedia content such as sporting events, concerts, advertising, emergency bulletins or information on public security, among others can be performed. Several Huawei departments [were involved in the trial such as Wireless, Evolved Packet Core or Video Server.

LTE broadcast technology opens the door to the new concept of "Video Everywhere", thanks to Huawei´s Hybrid Video solution that connects all contents with different access systems. This is the first step for users to enjoy all these contents from multiple network accesses (fixed or mobile), through their smartphones, tablets or smart TV, among other devices.

High Definition Channels

The users attending the event of this technology at Mestalla, for which the current 4G LTE coverage and spectrum in the stadium were used, were able to receive real-time multimedia HD content through five channels in their smartphones:

Channel 1 LIVE featured live content from different cameras that recorded Valencia CF players leaving the hotel and on the bus to the stadium; team supporters waiting for their arrival at Mestalla; images of the dressing room; players entering the field, and different views of the stadium and spectators from multiple camera angles.

Channel 2 VIRTUAL broadcasted a 3D virtual recreation of the game in real time.

Channel 3 STATS showed statistics regarding the game, the players and the results from the other matches.

Channel 4 VIDEOS broadcasted the video sequence that fans recorded with their smartphones and uploaded to a specific server through an application enabled for this purpose.

Channel 5 SOCIAL displayed the tweets, comments and photos from fans, highlighting the trending topics throughout the game.