Esports specialist, GSMA target SA 5G gaming opportunity

Veloce Media Group and GSMA Fusion teamed to outline the opportunity for operators to support the fast-growing esports and content creation markets, as the former published a list of network requirements for the sector. At a media event at Veloce’s office in London, experts from the two organisations explained the use of programmable standalone (SA) 5G network capabilities could support a new generation of esports competitions, cloud gaming and live creator streaming. Veloce head of esports and gaming Cam Royal ( pictured, left ) explained a demo of racing simulators at MWC Doha 2025 using SA 5G had showcased a future opportunity to hold events in “more remote locations and really cool venues” and opened “the doors to what’s really possible”. “At the moment in the gaming industry everyone is very dependent on infrastructure like a standard ethernet connection, certainly when it comes to high level competitions,” he said, noting the use of SA 5G opened the way to “do something a bit different, that may be a bit more appealing to brands wanting to get into the gaming industry as well”. Wishlist The gaming and high-end content creation segments have some very specific and demanding requirements for wireless connectivity, including dedicated low-latency channels, a need for guaranteed throughput and various interoperability needs. These are outlined in a document published by the gaming specialist in collaboration with GSMA Fusion, which is part of the association’s API-focused Open Gateway initiative . Royal said latency remains a key concern and explained SA 5G would widen opportunities for live streaming, but highlighted a Quality on Demand API element included in the Open Gateway programme as “really important to “give us that assurance we’re going to get the correct quality we need to keep the streams going”. GSMA Fusion senior director Natasha Nayak said the API “allows applications to request and receive an assured network performance guarantee”, spanning a specific timeframe or level of latency. Nayak emphasised network slicing features are only possible using SA 5G, noting this makes the case for the technology even though the APIs are access technology agnostic. It presents an opportunity for operators deploying the next-generation technology, she said. Veloce noted its competitions and gaming events set to be held in the coming two years provide opportunities to demonstrate the value in using network APIs in its sector. The company is wo