This initiative represents a step forward in the broadcaster’s exploration of 5G as an enabler for greener, more flexible production models. Amy Rajaonson, Innovation Project Manager at France Télévisions, shares the key highlights with TM BROADCAST

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As part of its ongoing efforts to experiment with new contribution models, France Télévisions has recently taken part in a groundbreaking trial: the deployment of a private 5G network integrated into an aircraft to enable live signal transmission from the sky. The initiative, conducted within the framework of the IBC Accelerator “Conquering the Air(waves): from Land to Sea to Sky”, represents a step forward in the broadcaster’s exploration of 5G as an enabler for greener, more flexible production models.

From the Olympic Torch to the skies

“Last year, during the Olympic Torch relay, we provided a moving private 5G bubble on land using a car,” Amy Rajaonson, Innovation Project Manager at France Télévisions, tells TM BROADCAST.

While the terrestrial experiment was successful, adapting the same concept to cycling events proved more complex. “This setup is not possible for bicycle races as they move too fast, roads are often hilly, making it difficult for a car to follow.  That’s why for this type of event, transmission is usually carried out by plane and helicopter using HF.”

“The idea now”, explains Rajaonson, “is to continue our previous work on private 5G, but this time in the air, using an aircraft. Imagine that!” In essence, the project sought to propagate a private 5G signal from an airborne platform, connecting to a ground-based transmitter and microphone — effectively creating a moving 5G coverage bubble from above.

Before getting into the technical execution, Rajaonson stresses the importance of defining the workflow and use case before any deployment.

“The important thing to begin with is the workflow and the use case, in order to determine which setup would work best,” she explains. “When this project began, we weren’t worried about the technology, as there was no reason to think it wouldn’t work. However, the main challenge was regulation. Private 5G is still experimental, and regulators are doing their best to understand how it is being used across different industries. We must anticipate the application as soon as possible to ensure we obtain the licence in time, since validation can take a while.”

This reflection framed the entire project, highlighting how regulatory procedures can shape innovation timelines as much as the technology itself.

The project sought to propagate a private 5G signal from an airborne platform, connecting to a ground-based transmitter and microphone — effectively creating a moving 5G coverage bubble from above

Building a collaborative Proof of Concept

The initiative was led by France Télévisions in collaboration with Haivision, Neutral Wireless, Eutelsat, Orange, and Shure, as part of the IBC Accelerator ecosystem. Haivision coordinated the engineering alongside Neutral Wireless, which provided expertise in private 5G deployment.

“In the air, there was a POC with a tethered drone led by RAI, as well as an aircraft demonstration carried out by us,” explains Rajaonson. “Everyone learnt a lot during these projects and the atmosphere was excellent.”

France Télévisions’ specific role was to select a suitable live event, manage regulatory applications, and coordinate all the stakeholders involved — including its internal sports department, production company AMP, and the IBC Accelerator team.

“In the air, there was a POC with a tethered drone led by RAI, as well as an aircraft demonstration carried out by us”

Testing the system in a real-world environment

The practical demonstration took place during the Bretagne Classic cycling race in Plouay, Brittany, on August 31st, 2025. Preparations were carried out at a nearby airfield in Pontivy, where the team fine-tuned the system before race day.

“Everything worked well,” says Rajaonson. “Our transmitter on a motorbike received successfully the private 5G signal from the sky. However, during the event we observed that the uplink connectivity was poor and our private 5G system experienced a spectrum conflict with the COFDM camera links used by the organization. Both systems had authorization to use the same spectrum, but it was handled by different regulator department.”

Challenges and lessons learned

Rajaonson highlights two major challenges that shaped the project: time and regulation.
“The project was ambitious, and it had to be completed during the IBC Accelerator process, from March to September 1st. We had many ideas and integrations, but limited time to implement everything like we imagined. For example, antenna placement and backhaul. For next step they must be optimized,” she explains.

The regulatory hurdles were equally significant. “Typically, the n77 spectrum is used for private 5G. Thanks to this project we learnt that it isn’t allowed for aerial use, as it could cause significant interferences with radio altimeters and weather stations. We had to work with the army to borrow them their n40 spectrum,” she says.

Despite these complexities, the project proved technically sound and paved the way for future iterations. “We can all be proud of the hard work accomplished,” Rajaonson adds.

“During the event we observed that the uplink connectivity was poor and our private 5G system experienced a spectrum conflict with the COFDM camera links used by the organization”

A greener, more flexible model for live events

From a production standpoint, airborne 5G opens new possibilities for lightweight, sustainable, and cost-effective workflows. “It opens us to a greener and cost-effective way of production and opens the door for us to produce contents that we didn’t cover in the past. This doesn’t concerned only sports,” notes Rajaonson.

While large-scale events like the Tour de France remain beyond the current scope of this setup — “too many broadcasters and too large a footprint,” she admits — smaller productions such as marathons or single-day cycling races could benefit greatly from such deployments.

“When comparing costs, there’s no contest,” Rajaonson explains. Private 5G solutions like this can be far more economical than traditional HF systems — but it’s crucial “to have the workflow in mind and assess the needs to determine what is most suitable.”

Looking ahead

Following the live test, France Télévisions showcased the project at IBC 2025, where the aircraft used in the experiment was displayed on-site, drawing significant attention. “People were very curious about it,” says Rajaonson. “The next step is to continue all the great work.”

With each iteration, the broadcaster continues to refine its understanding of how private 5G networks can complement or even replace conventional contribution models, further exploring their potential in live production workflows.

While large-scale events like the Tour de France remain beyond the current scope of this setup, smaller productions could benefit greatly from such deployments