We often take connectivity for granted—especially in broadcast facilities that are typically served by zippy enterprise-grade broadband. Broadcasting from remote, outside locations brings a set of challenges that historically have been overcome with satellite or microwave links, with a shift to bonded cellular over the past decade.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to enable broadcasting from the home locations of presenters, or temporary off site locations away from the main broadcast facility, a whole new set of connectivity challenges have emerged.
In this scenario, fiber is generally not an option and satellite is typically not practical. Consumer-grade, lower capacity broadband connections, usually DSL or cable over Wi-Fi, can be quite unreliable, and cellular reception from a single operator may be spotty and subject to network congestion, as many of us have experienced.
But it’s not just the need for reliable live shots. Work-from-home staff also need reliable general-purpose internet connectivity for access to a broadcaster’s private network, newsroom and MAM systems, as well as SaaS providers to remain productive.
As broadcast facilities have had to dramatically scale down the number of staff onsite, technical staff have had to scramble to come up with solutions that address speed, reliability, and security for their work-from-home colleagues.
NBC5 photojournalist Nefty Gonzalez set up a make-shift studio in Brian Curtis’s home, allowing them to broadcast live from a garage. Image courtesy of Nefty Gonzalez NBC5 Photojournalist.
Network Aggregation Saves the Day
Dejero GateWay network aggregation devices provide the reliability needed by your remote workforce. GateWay devices deliver enhanced reliability, expanded coverage, and greater bandwidth through Smart Blending Technology, which aggregates all available network connections in order to create a virtual ‘network of networks’. The virtual network intelligently manages the fluctuating bandwidth, packet loss, and latency differences of the individual connections in real-time.
In the typical scenario, home broadband and cellular connections from multiple mobile network operators are blended together to deliver resilient connectivity, enabling not only high-quality broadcasts from home, but also reliable general-purpose internet connectivity for other key tasks.
With least cost routing functionality, GateWay devices can be configured to prioritize lower-cost connectivity such as broadband, and automatically blend in cellular connectivity as needed.
Of course, it can aggregate any wired or wireless IP connection including fiber or satellite from fixed, mobile, or nomadic locations; but in most work-from-home scenarios, consumer DSL/cable broadband and cellular connections are usually all that’s available.
Backup Connectivity for Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Not only are Dejero GateWay devices useful for remote production and the new work-from-home scenarios, but they also serve as great backup connectivity solutions in times of crisis.
We’ve seen broadcasters needing to quickly move critical equipment from their stations that may be in the path of hurricanes or severe flooding. Combined with compact, quickly deployable encoders, and receivers and servers in a portable flyaway kit, GateWay devices provide the critical connectivity that can keep stations on-air, as well as provide critical connectivity for general operations. Dejero PathWay E encoders, WayPoint 50 receivers, and CuePoint 50 return video and teleprompter servers are designed to work with GateWay M series network aggregation devices for this very purpose.
As broadcasters adjust to more flexible locations to broadcast from and revise their business continuity plans, having a proven, go-to solution for connectivity should be top of mind.
A GateWay M series network aggregation device can be combined with other equipment in a portable flyaway kit to provide resilient connectivity for remote production, disaster recovery, and business continuity. Image courtesy of Jared Brody.
Want to Learn More?
To learn more about Dejero GateWay network aggregation devices and how they can enable your remote workforce, play a part in disaster recovery and business continuity plans, as well as provide connectivity for remote production, visit our GateWay product page. You can also reach out to speak with one of our solution experts to discuss your specific needs.
/Dejero-Logo.svg "Dejero"){kind=logo}
