The Rai Research Centre, in collaboration with the EBU, significantly contributed to the inclusion of 5G Broadcast among the 3GPP standards, actively participating in the working groups and supporting the approval process of the related specifications.

The definition activities for Release 19 began in December 2024 during the 3GPP RAN (Radio Access Network) Plenary in Madrid, where two strategic Work Items dedicated to 5G Broadcast were approved, specifically:

• The introduction of Time-Frequency Interleaving, which enables a significant improvement in receiver performance in the presence of time- and frequency-selective channel variations;
• The division of the UHF band (Band 108: 470-698 MHz) into two sub-bands (Band 112: 470–608 MHz and Band 113: 606–698 MHz), allowing for faster technology deployment and accelerating its industrial adoption on a global scale.

Throughout 2025, activities continued intensively within the RAN1/2/3/4 working groups, supported by the coordinated contribution of the main industrial players in the sector. Rai, represented by Assunta De Vita as EBU delegate and as Rapporteur for both Work Items, provided continuous support throughout the entire process, which successfully concluded at the 3GPP RAN Plenary in Baltimore, leading to the formal closure of both Work Items and the completion of the 5G Broadcast specifications in December 2025.

This achievement further confirms the Rai Research Centre’s role as a key player in the innovation of future broadcasting systems.