Paris 2024: Mobile phones and private 5G network capture Opening Ceremony

Mobile phones and a private 5G network were used to stream live footage of the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, which featured Olympic athletes travelling down the River Seine on designated 85 national delegation boats – the first time an Olympic Games Opening Ceremony has taken place outside a stadium.

More than 200 Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones were attached to the bow and sides of each of the athlete vessels with the aim of providing viewers with an intimate view of the athletes’ reactions during the Opening Ceremony.

The Samsung devices were also used to capture footage of the Olympic sailing competitions in Marseille by installing a Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone on selected competition boats, which the IOC said would allow fans to “experience the thrill of the race up close, and truly immerse themselves in the action”.

To support the mobile streamed footage during the Opening Ceremony – and at the sailing – mobile operator Orange set up a private 5G network, with antennas along the Seine resulting in the first-ever standalone 5G network in France.

OBS chief executive Yiannis Exarchos said: “As host broadcaster of the Olympic Games, we’re incredibly excited about this partnership with Samsung, which will allow a truly original perspective of Paris 2024, evolving the way in which fans experience the Games.

“Samsung’s latest mobile innovation will allow millions of fans around the world to live and breathe the spirit, action and emotion of the Opening Ceremony and sailing competitions alongside their favourite athletes in real time.”