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O2 predicts 5G to bring £2.3bn boost to entertainment sector

Paul Lipscombe
February 19, 2020

O2 launched its 5G network in October last year

5G has been predicted to generate £2.3 billion for the entertainment sector by 2030 according to research conducted by O2.

The 5th Generation Entertainment report was carried out by O2 alongside data and insights consultancy Ovum, and explores how the latest generation of connectivity can drive entertainment businesses.

O2 launched its own 5G network in October last year, with 21 locations across the UK covered.

Among the findings of the report, O2 has forecasted smart ticketing and connected venues revolutionising the pre-event experience, along with AR-assisted shopping contributing to shorter queues for fans purchasing merchandise.

The report also anticipates customers will spend less time queuing at bars, as the lower latency that 5G provides will enable order-in-advance systems for customers to use instead.

This will also enable real-time analytics of the busiest bars and apps using wayfinding to help navigate spectators around venues.

5G will also provide people who are unable to attend the event the opportunity to pay for a personalised live-streaming of that particular event where they can choose from multiple camera angles.

Those at the event will also be able to get their own personalised highlights reel sent over to their device after the event, according to the report.

Senior vice-president of IT at AEG – the owners of the O2 David Jones said: “I’m excited by the possibilities that 5G offers to enhance the live entertainment experience for the millions of fans who come to see their favourite acts and athletes at The O2 each year.

“In particular, augmented reality and virtual reality technology is bandwidth-intensive, ultra-mobile, and very sensitive to latency, and 5G has been designed to address those requirements from the ground up.”

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