At the 2025 UEC Cyclo-Cross European Championships in Middelkerke, Belgium, Citymesh, in collaboration with broadcast technology partner NEP Belgium and Haivision, demonstrated how next-generation wireless workflows can transform live sports production over challenging terrain. The Proof of Concept (POC) project leveraged Citymesh’s private 5G network and Haivision’s mobile video technology to enhance traditional broadcast RF systems and deliver high-quality live video over expansive outdoor venues.
Redefining live sports coverage with private 5G
The championship’s demanding coastal course with long distances, shifting sand and varied elevation, presented logistical hurdles for conventional broadcast infrastructures. Relying on fixed cables and large crews increases setup time and operational complexity, particularly across extensive outdoor courses.
To push past these limitations, Citymesh deployed a private 5G network designed for broad on-site coverage. Two 5G cells with rooftop antennas provided robust connectivity for all crew and camera devices across the race field. Haivision supported this network with a complete mobile video contribution workflow, including mobile encoders and flexible camera setups.
A fully integrated broadcast workflow
The hybrid solution combined Citymesh’s private wireless infrastructure with Haivision technology to capture, transmit and distribute live video feeds with ultra-low latency:
- Mobile Cameras: Two cameras equipped with Haivision Pro mobile video transmitters captured pristine broadcast-grade footage of riders racing through the course.
- Lightweight Flexibility: Two smartphones running Haivision’s MoJoPro app served as lightweight additional camera sources, allowing dynamic coverage in areas where traditional cameras would be impractical.Â
- Secure Transport: All feeds were delivered using Haivision’s Safe Stream Transport (SST) protocol and decoded by the Haivision StreamHub, which was directly integrated with the Citymesh private 5G core network.Â
This approach not only simplified logistics but also provided high performance and security, even with limited cell uplink bandwidth. The result was reliable, broadcast-quality video with minimal delay, crucial for both live transmission and event operations.Â
Demonstrating the power of private 5G
Despite the challenging environment, Citymesh’s private 5G deployment consistently delivered strong coverage and stable video contribution performance across the venue. The success of this POC highlighted how wireless, edge-enabled workflows can significantly improve production flexibility, reducing dependence on traditional infrastructure while enabling creative camera placements and mobility.
“Citymesh’s private 5G workflow showed just how powerful wireless networks can be when paired with advanced video technology,” said Carlo Waelens, General Manager of Citymesh Flex. “Even in a tough outdoor environment, our solution delivered stable, ultra-low latency video, proving that private 5G can simplify sports production while improving quality and flexibility.”Â
Looking ahead
The achievements at the 2025 UEC Cyclo-Cross European Championships demonstrate Citymesh’s commitment to innovation and to shaping the future of live sports coverage. By enabling flexible, wireless broadcast production over a private 5G network, Citymesh is helping redefine what’s possible at live sporting events around the world.
