5G and private networks: How will they impact the future of streaming and gaming?

The deployment of 5G and private networks is marking a before and after in the digital entertainment industry. For OTT and gaming companies, the big differentiator is no longer just the quality of content, but the user experience with 5G, which is measured in speed, stability and, above all, low latency.

In markets such as Colombia and Peru, where streaming and cloud gaming are rapidly gaining ground, the role of connectivity is crucial. The GSMA (2024) projects that by 2030 half of the mobile connections in these two countries will be 5G, confirming the magnitude of this change. In this scenario, 5G private networks emerge as a key alternative to ensure that content travels fast, secure and uninterrupted.

What are 5G private networks and why do they matter for entertainment?

A 5G private network is a mobile infrastructure dedicated to a specific organization or industry. Unlike carriers' public networks, they offer full control over traffic, quality of service and security. For digital entertainment, this means that an OTT or gaming platform can ensure the delivery of real-time video and graphics without competing with other network users.

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Benefits of 5G private networks vs. public networks

The advantages are clear: prioritization of critical traffic, less interference, compliance with content licensing through geofencing and greater resilience to peak demand. In streaming and gaming, where seconds make the difference, these networks allow a level of customization impossible in a shared public service.

Initial cases in Colombia and Peru

In Peru, the mining sector has already tested private 5G networks for automation and telemetry. TeleSemana (2023) reported that the Toquepala mine deployed a private 5G redundant core, becoming the second in the world with such infrastructure. In Colombia, pilots in industrial environments demonstrated speeds of more than 1 Gbps and ultra-low latencies in subway mining. Although these are sectors other than entertainment, these cases show that the technology is ready for critical applications where zero latency is vital.

The impact of 5G on streaming: latency, quality and experience

The impact of 5G on streaming is straightforward: more bandwidth and less delay. Thanks to technologies such as Massive MIMO and 3.5 GHz spectrum, 5G offers sustained speeds of hundreds of Mbps and latencies that can drop to less than 10 ms.

Latency and quality of 5G streaming video

The Ericsson Mobility Report (2024) indicates that video traffic will account for more than 70% of mobile data by 2029, driven mainly by streaming over 5G and cloud gaming. In that context, 5G low latency eliminates the typical lag in live broadcasts, enabling OTT experiences that compete head-on with traditional TV. In addition, it supports 4K and even 8K video with lower buffering and dynamic bitrate adaptability.

User experience with 5G and OTT

For a user in Bogota or Lima, watching a sporting event via OTT over 5G can mean enjoying the signal in real time, without the 30-second delay that usually affects other technologies. The differential is in the quality of experience (QoE), which translates into greater satisfaction and loyalty to the platform.

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Gaming in the cloud and 5G: towards ultra-low latency

Cloud gaming with 5G is one of the most promising use cases. AAA games, which used to require powerful consoles, can now be run on servers and streamed to the gamer's device thanks to low latency.

Cloud gaming with 5G in LATAM

According to Deloitte Insights (2024), cloud gaming will be the vertical that will benefit the most from 5G, eliminating hardware barriers and enabling more democratic experiences for millions of gamers. The combination of edge computing and 5G allows the game server to be only milliseconds away from the gamer. This reduces the famous "lag" and makes it possible for a gamer in Lima to compete on equal terms with players anywhere in the world.

Technical challenges in Colombia and Peru

Even so, the challenges are significant: spectrum costs, the need for more local caches and peering agreements so that traffic does not have to leave the country. Impacto TIC (2023) highlights that, in addition to entertainment, the ultra-low latency of 5G will enable immersive experiences in education and telemedicine, which reinforces the importance of having edge infrastructure and collaboration with regional players. This is where companies such as InterNexa come in, bringing large OTT content to the region with fiber infrastructure, IP transit and low latency datacenters.

5G private networks as a solution for OTT and global content companies.

5G private networks for OTTs

For medium and large OTTs, the option to deploy 5G private networks for OTTs offers control and predictability. This allows them to customize the network according to their business: assign specific slices for live broadcasts, separate traffic from premium users and guarantee availability for high-impact events.

InterNexa's opportunities as a regional partner

Internexa has TIER III datacenters in Colombia and Peru, redundant connectivity to more than 600 AS in more than 200 cities, and direct access to submarine cables. This means that it can be the ideal partner for OTTs to locate caches and MEC nodes in the region, drastically reducing latency. In addition, services such as Wavelength guarantee an ultra-low latency infrastructure, and regional IP transit optimizes content delivery for end users.

Future of digital entertainment with 5G and private networks

5G's impact on interactive streaming and e-sports

The immediate future points to interactive experiences: virtual reality concerts, multi-view broadcasts and e-sports in real time with no difference between in-person and remote audiences. According to IEEE Communications Magazine (2023), network slicing will allow dedicating portions of the network to these services, ensuring that quality does not degrade even during peak hours.

Hybrid fiber + 5G models

However, 5G does not replace fiber: the two complement each other. Fiber will remain the backbone, while 5G will extend that quality to the mobile user. Companies that combine fiber, private 5G networks and local caches will be able to offer the best premium connectivity experience in the region.

5G and private networks are not a distant promise, they are the infrastructure that will define the future of streaming and gaming in the cloud. For OTTs and global gaming platforms, betting today on these technologies in Colombia and Peru is to ensure user loyalty tomorrow.

At InterNexa we have regional datacenters, redundant connectivity and low latency solutions that bring the content of large OTTs to Latin America.

👉 Learn how our Wavelength infrastructure guarantees ultra-low latency and take the next step towards a seamless digital entertainment experience.

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