BARCELONA, Spain—XGN Global and X1 Mobile are showcasing their newly released rugged smartphone capable of receiving 5G Broadcast television signals at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), March 2-5.

The device, said to be the world’s first commercial 5G Broadcast smartphone, has been specifically designed for first responder solutions. It delivers reliable, high-quality broadcast content in demanding environments where traditional cellular networks may be congested or unavailable.

5G Broadcast is a free-to-air technology that enables direct delivery of live television, audio and emergency information to compatible devices without requiring a cellular subscription or consuming mobile data.

This one-to-many broadcast approach leverages existing broadcast infrastructure for efficient, wide-area coverage, making it well-suited for public safety, emergency response and mass-event communications. The smartphone enables first responders to receive emergency alerts in less than half of a second even when cellular networks are down or overloaded.

The first model of this 5G Broadcast-enabled rugged smartphone is a European variant, supporting the majority of European television frequencies and will be available starting in May 2026.

A companion Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device is scheduled to follow in Q3 2026. X1 Mobile will subsequently release a U.S.-specific model capable of receiving U.S. broadcast frequencies in Q3 2026.

5G Broadcast is poised for commercial availability later this year in the United States, building on experimental licenses and planned network expansions covering millions of viewers.

The 5G Broadcast solution integrates Enensys 5G Broadcast Client, the Cube Agent Mobile, which serves as the interface between the 5G Broadcast chipset and the application player while also managing the seamless switch between broadcast and unicast modes.

The Cube Agent is interfaced with proprietary code developed by X1 Mobile, ensuring seamless reception and robust performance tailored for mission-critical applications.

XGN Global operates in the United States and Ireland, while X1 Mobile operates in the United States.

See XGN Global and X1 Mobile in the Enensys booth (5B-61-34) at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.

More information is available on the Enensys website.



STRAMFORD, Conn.—XGen Network (XGN), a tech startup focused on the emerging 5G Broadcast protocol, has filed for two new experimental 5G Broadcast licenses with the FCC. The company is working with two Connecticut low power stations—WTXX-LD, Channel 29, owned by HC2 in Hartford, and EGOT Media’s WYJH-LD, Channel 27 in Danbury—to join Milachi Media's WWOO-LD in Boston for XGN's "Phase Two Proof of Concept for 5G Broadcasting," which it plans to start by March 2024.

The move follows XGN’s launch of experimental 5G Broadcasts on WWOO, an LPTV in Westmoreland, N.H., targeting the Boston DMA last September. At that time, the company, in association with the LPTV Broadcasters Association, demonstrated its proof of concept in Phase 1 by showing 5G Broadcasts received via smart phones and set top boxes in Boston. XGN says the station has been operating in 5G Broadcasting protocol almost continuously since, with no technical issues or complaints. The LPTVBA further demonstrated 5G Broadcasting to various bureaus and commissioners at the FCC in early November.

Together with the LPTV Broadcasters Association, XGN is working to develop a platform for UHF LPTV stations (15 kw ERP) through proof of concept deployments as the 5G Broadcasting technology develops. XGN expects first responders will have access to 5G Broadcast by late 2024, and it will be available to the public in 2025.

"XGN values the commitment of both Milachi Media, HC2, and EGOT Media to the future of 5G Broadcasting for LPTV, said "SuperFrank" Copsidas, CEO of XGN Network. “It is important to remember that 5G Broadcasting, Direct to Mobile, is very much in development and makes strides by the week. XGN's Proof of Concept deployments are meant to test the platform, bringing developments out of the lab to testing in the field. Consumer smartphones await the firmware update required to directly receive "Band 108" or the UHF Broadcast spectrum in receive only mode, utilizing 5G cell for the return path.”

XGN’s primary focus in Phase Two will be on Emergency Alerts, First Responder solutions, and technical field testing to deploy the solutions. On Dec. 18, XGN applied to the FCC to partner with PSHSB “to test expansion of coverage for wireless emergency alerts when cell sites are down.” XGN says that case was proven in Phase One and that the company is working on “additional, critical solutions” for emergency alerting including encrypted emergency alerts to First Responder mobile phones, so they know where to respond. 

XGN says 5G Broadcasting can be a "reliable alternative solution" for first responders who lose cell service. These solutions will be tested at all the proposed experimental sites as different First Responder agencies use different methods and protocols for dispatch, from DOS and POTS to sophisticated solutions, the company said. 

For Phase Two, WWOO, which is requesting extension of its original permit, is proposing to deploy a DTS (digital triage system) in Foxborough, Mass., to conduct tests of video and data files being delivered from a 911 Dispatch Center to First Responders on the ground using multiple test mobile phones in conjunction with the Southeastern Massachusetts 911 Center.

The tests at WWOO would cover:

• iPaws Emergency Alerts
• First Responder Emergency Alerts
• Stable and reliable delivery of video and data files to First Responders in the field
• Deployment of multiple test mobile phones
• Mobile phone reception/handoff between the main transmitter and the DTS
• Test of deployment of a DTS

The two Connecticut stations have overlapping contours but are on different channels. From a technical level, the mission is to field test the handoff on a mobile phone from one channel to a different one from a separate transmitter, XGN said, adding that this will be tested from a vehicle between the transmitters’ contours as well as from a stationary receiver picking up the stronger signal and locking onto it. 

Additionally, XGN plans to provide redundancy should one of the signals not broadcast. This is primarily for Emergency Alert and First Responder platform solutions.  

• iPaws Emergency Alerts
• First Responder Emergency Alerts 
• Deployment of multiple test mobile phones
• Mobile phone reception/handoff between two facilities broadcasting on different channels
• Fixed receiver reception ability to tune into strongest signal with ability to switch if the main signal is not received
• Test of 5G Core and coordination between facilities

“With the release of consumer enabled 5G Broadcast mobile phones projected to be available in early 2025, this gives us the opportunity in 2024 to iron out the kinks in the various deployments and software so that 5G Broadcasting is stable when it is available to the public,” XGN said. “We are on track to acquire fully enabled mobile phones in late 2024 for First Responder use.”

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—TVU Networks and KT Corp., a major South Korean telecom, are partnering to offer UHD broadcast over KT’s 5G enterprise network, a 5G UHD broadcast network deployment considered to be among the first in the world, TVU Networks announced today.

The agreement sets the stage for TVU Networks and KT to work together to establish the enterprise 5G network and related broadcast facilities in South Korea.

“We’re thrilled to be part of such a pioneering effort that reflects our own continued commitment to the power and possibility of 5G,” said TVU Networks CEO Paul Shen.

“Video is now what most people watch on their smartphones, but to take the quality of services offered and accessibility of video to the next level requires the low latency, high speed and ultra-connectivity that 5G provides. The backbone of the 5G network pairs perfectly with our ability to acquire, manage and deliver the ultimate 4K video over IP,” he said.

KT is an early 5G backer. In February 2018, it conducted one of the world’s first 5G trials during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Then in early 2019, it delivered a live broadcast of K-pop group Wanna One via its Olleh TV IPTV service to set-top boxes and mobile devices using KT’s 5G network. Next month, the telecom is expected to launch its 5G network as a full-scale commercial offering.

TVU Networks will provide 4K UHD broadcast technology and services to meet KT’s 5G device standards, the company said. KT will provide device standards, a testing environment and other technical support.

Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), a TVU Networks customer, is working with KT to develop the broadcast capabilities of its new 5G network. Seoul-based TVU Networks reseller iCRAFT will assist SBS.

“We’re clear that 5G networks will be critical as we provide our customers with the optimal mobile video experience,” said KT 5G Business Unit SVP Park Hyun-Jin.

“The data capacity, speed and low latency in the network will enable innovations unlike anything we’ve seen before,” he said. “We know that TVU Networks is the ideal partner to take this next step in our company’s evolution. And we’re positive our customers will agree.”

More information is available on the TVU Networks website.