Mobile Viewpoint integrates Elon Musk-owned satellite connectivity into sports broadcasting solutions

Elon Musk-owned Starlink is trying to provide satellite connectivity for people that currently cannot connect through cellular or fibre means

Mobile Viewpoint has integrated Starlink, a satellite-based broadband internet system, as part of its offerings for network connection for sports broadcasting.

Starlink, which is still in Beta testing, is engineered by rocket developer and launch service provider, SpaceX, an Elon Musk business. It has launched low orbit satellites around the world for global network broadband coverage for hard to connect communities.

Starlink with Mobile Viewpoint solutions will facilitate high quality live streaming for news, sports and other live streaming applications from places that previously were impossible to obtain connectivity.

Mobile Viewpoint said that remote live streaming for many broadcasters and live production companies means major new developments with lower latency and higher resolution workflows are needed, and will be developed. Its integration with Starlink enables the company to provide more diverse services when cellular connectivity is not available.

Michel Bais, managing director at Mobile Viewpoint, explained: “The Starlink device is relatively lightweight and is a portable device. This means it can be easily used with our mobile encoders giving you the versatility to live stream from literally anywhere.

“Starlink is still in its infancy so we are currently using it as a bonded connection in conjunction with our 4G and 5G connectivity to give 100% reliability, but we expect it transform live streaming for many of our customers and evolve massively over the coming months and years.”

Mobile Viewpoint is the first company to have successfully tested Starlink to allow its mobile video units to take advantage of this groundbreaking service.  It is possible to combine both the cellular network with the services from Starlink, or use it in isolation.

As with 5G, adoption is expected to accelerate over the coming months and years, and Starlink can be used with Mobile Viewpoint cellular backpack solutions. This can be part of a fully resilient network strategy to create a bonded network consisting not only of existing 3G, 4G, and 5G cellular networks as well as Wifi connections, but with the addition of new satellite connections such as Starlink, even more possibilities are available.