Professional audio companies ranked 5G capabilities as offering “good potential” in terms of enabling high-resolution audio content for streaming and cloud-based production and low-latency distance collaboration according to a recent study by the Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA).

The survey tracked the attitudes and opinions of industry leaders about the state of 5G, its impact on professional audio and the potential that 5G’s spectrum usage, wireless connectivity and high-speed internet access offers for professional audio applications and products.

Many concerns were raised that need resolution before 5Gs potential can be effectively realised in workflow and products due to limitations presented by the current standards in terms of infrastructure and hardware components across the industry.

Harman International director of recording Chris Hansen notes a current limited scope of 5G application for Harman’s product line and adds: “Broader applications are being discussed but need to be defined.”

Shure senior director of spectrum and regulatory affairs Prakash Moorut says that the biggest challenge currently is for 5G to meet latency requirements for pro live audio productions: “Furthermore, it is no guarantee that mobile network operators employ chipsets in their devices that cater to our internal guidelines. If these issues can be effectively solved, then 5G can play a much bigger role in the development of future products.”

5G has potential in device management, as long as certain obstacles are addressed, according to RF Venue co-founder and president Chris Regan.

Currently, IT-enabled products can be cloud-managed through various apps and managed services, but those devices need local network configuration,” he says.

“If standards evolve such that these devices could inexpensively and efficiently connect to the cloud over 5G without any integration on the local network, that could offer a real benefit and allow technicians to inexpensively monitor and manage equipment remotely.”

“Some concern” was the overall response to the question of how 5G (and the evolving RF spectrum considerations that have gone along with it) may affect users of wireless microphone, instrument and IEM systems.

Sennheiser solution architect Dennis Stegemerten reiterated that 5G doesn’t currently fulfil the requirements of most of the Sennheiser product line, and any further widespread re-allocation of spectrum space may adversely affect the operation of the brand’s established wireless solutions.

However, he also notes that Sennheiser is fully engaged with the subject and is active in several European and international working groups around the 5G topic (e.g., 5G MAG and 5G Records).

PAMA will continue to track developments in the state of 5G and the wider world of wireless in the future, keeping its manufacturer partners up to date with the most current info and forecasts.