by Webbing

 

The Business Impact of Webbing:

  • Stable and reliable cellular connectivity in locations with no or limited connectivity
  • Backup failover connectivity options
  • Fiber and satellite picture quality over cellular networks
  • Backdoor access to the site equipment for remote configuring and debugging
 

“ The PSA are always looking to innovate and improve our output on our

growing number of broadcast partners. From satellite, to IP and now cellular,

we have a growing number of methods to send our top-level coverage

of our elite sport, from more remote and less connected places in the world.

And with Auriga, OBE & Webbing supporting us with equipment and

access to networks that others only dream of. ”

~Daniel Dobby, SQUASHTV Production Manager at the PSA

 

PSA Looking to Ensure Robust Global Connectivity for Live Squash Broadcasting

The Professional Squash Association operates squash tournaments around the world. World events on the PSA Squash Tour are broadcast to OTT platform, SQUASHTV, and to terrestrial broadcasters, such as Amazon Prime, and the Global Sport Partners via BT Tower in London. The broadcast is delivered by Auriga Networks, the PSA’s video distribution partner that specializes in mission-critical broadcast and communication applications throughout the globe.

At squash tournaments, with matches at multiple courts there can be up to 40 live feeds to be distributed. The general workflow implies landing a broadcast quality HD SDI feed in London for subsequent distribution and re-encoding off to the broadcast partners in multiple formats. The contribution feed from event site to London is principally delivered over IP for cost reasons, with conventional satellite being used in a few territories working in conjunction with local broadcasters.

The Business Need:

  • Live broadcasts from different locations all over the world
  • Stable and resilient connectivity for HD SDI feed
  • Multiple live feeds
  • Reduced costs

 

SQUASHTV live broadcasting of Global PSA Squash Tour with Webbing Global Connectivity

 

Challenges in Live Broadcasting of Squash Tournaments

In April 2024, the Professional Squash Association held the German Squash Open 2024 tournament in Hamburg, at the Sportwerk Center, the biggest squash center in the country. The event presented a significant challenge for live broadcasting, since the Sportwerk Center had a single 10 Mbit leased line running the entire venue, and it was impossible to get a 20 Mbit broadcast feed out.

The connection quality was also critical. Squash is fast paced, the ball moves as quickly as in tennis, but within a much smaller space, and thus live broadcast requires high-quality encoding and strong bandwidth for clear visibility. Besides, squash tournaments last for up to a week, with 12-hour game days, making it harder to maintain consistent connectivity.

Moreover, due to contractual obligations, the broadcasters need a reliable backup solution. With the event site offering only a single connection, backup options were limited. Cellular 4G solutions that Auriga Networks tried earlier had limitations such as complicated local SIM card configurations and data caps. Satellite solutions like Starlink are costly and can face issues like signal dropouts, legal restrictions, and roof access problems, while also requiring a bigger crew.

Given all these hurdles and requirements, the traditional solution would have been to remove the event from the main TV broadcast schedule and opt for a low-bitrate webcast instead.

Challenges:

  • Insufficient connectivity options at the venue
  • A need for consistent connectivity for 12-hour-long game days
  • Strict requirements for encoding quality and bandwidth
  • Commitment for dual connectivity from each location
  • Challenges with local SIM cards
  • Satellite solutions are costly and prone to issues

Professional Squash Association German Squash Open 2024 tournament in Hamburg broadcasted using Webbing global connectivity

Transforming Squash Broadcasting with Webbing eSIMs

To address the challenges, the PSA and Auriga Networks implemented a combination of innovative solutions, partnering with Open Broadcast Systems, a leading provider of cutting-edge broadcast technology solutions, and Webbing, a global wireless connectivity provider.

Webbing’s eSIM cards that guarantee seamless connectivity all over the world and allow for independent use of various carrier networks were integrated into Open Broadcast Systems 5G Flyaway bonding solution. It has external 5G directional routers that can be placed up to 100 meters away, delivering connectivity for broadcasters based in areas of poor network signal.

The combined solution also enables them to select preferred networks and towers, allowing to use towers that are further away from the event to avoid traffic congestion, which is one of the main challenges with 5G. The collaboration also helped ensure backup failover connectivity. Along with a normal terrestrial feed setup, Auriga Networks specialists added a second Open Broadcast Systems encoder, routed it via a 5G Peplink modem with a Webbing SIM card and tunneled the traffic back to the PSA redundancy site in the north of England to achieve complete geodiversity.

Having that additional modem in place gives the broadcasters an additional advantage. Because Webbing SIMs connect anywhere in the world with no intervention, Auriga Networks can immediately get backdoor access to the remote site equipment, which enables them to remotely configure the terrestrial connection and debug, freeing up staff resources on site.

 

Webbing global connectivity solution

 

Webbing’s Solution:

  • Triple-cut eSIM cards fully aligned with GSMA SGP.32 IoT eSIM Standard
  • Access to 600+ mobile carriers’ networks in over 190 countries and regions
  • Reliable high-speed data transmission
  • Simple and quick implementation: up and running in less than 30 minutes
  • Management portal to monitor data usage and control connectivity

The Open Broadcast Systems 5G Flyaway bonding solution with Webbing SIMs was used to connect to the main 5G mast near the venue and provided an extremely reliable service and broadcast. The PSA and Auriga Networks continue using this sophisticated setup for broadcasting squash tournaments from locations with no or limited connectivity, as it allows to reach fiber and satellite picture quality over cellular networks. Thanks to Webbing eSIM, it connects to 600+ mobile carrier’s networks in over 190 countries, eliminating the need to swap SIM cards and providing an affordable pay-as-you-go data plan.

The separate independent backup broadcast option used in the project also proved to be essential when there is no possibility to facilitate two independent lines, and now the PSA and Auriga Networks apply this methodology to all six of the PSA’s roving broadcast units around the world.

 

Download the full case study from our Knowledge Base.