Performance Evaluation of Low-Latency Live Streaming of MPEG-DASH UHD video over Commercial 5G NSA/SA Network

2025-11-25

AI Summary

This study addresses the ultra-low-latency real-time streaming of ultra-high-definition (UHD) video over commercial 5G networks. We conduct the first systematic, end-to-end performance evaluation of MPEG-DASH-based delivery in a live 5G standalone (SA) deployment, benchmarking it against non-standalone (NSA) and LTE networks. Experiments span static, urban mobility, and high-speed mobility scenarios, with quantitative analysis using MAC-layer throughput, number of lost video segments, and end-to-end latency. Results demonstrate that 5G SA consistently outperforms NSA and LTE: it achieves >95% segment delivery success rate across all scenarios; NSA suffers from LTE anchor constraints, degrading latency and stability; and LTE fails to deliver over 20% of segments within their playback deadlines. This work provides the first empirical validation and performance baseline for 5G SA-enabled ultra-low-latency media streaming.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Mobility, Driving & Flight
• Data Mining & Knowledge Management: Data Stream Mining
• Search and Optimization: Distributed Search

Application Category

• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web performance, measurement, and characterization
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements

Abstract

5G Standalone (SA) is the goal of the 5G evolution, which aims to provide higher throughput and lower latency than the existing LTE network. One of the main applications of 5G is the real-time distribution of Ultra High-Definition (UHD) content with a resolution of 4K or 8K. In Q2/2021, Advanced Info Service (AIS), the biggest operator in Thailand, launched 5G SA, providing both 5G SA/NSA service nationwide in addition to the existing LTE network. While many parts of the world are still in process of rolling out the first phase of 5G in Non-Standalone (NSA) mode, 5G SA in Thailand already covers more than 76% of the population. In this paper, UHD video will be a real-time live streaming via MPEG-DASH over different mobile network technologies with minimal buffer size to provide the lowest latency. Then, performance such as the number of dropped segments, MAC throughput, and latency are evaluated in various situations such as stationary, moving in the urban area, moving at high speed, and also an ideal condition with maximum SINR. It has been found that 5G SA can deliver more than 95% of the UHD video segment successfully within the required time window in all situations, while 5G NSA produced mixed results depending on the condition of the LTE network. The result also reveals that the LTE network failed to deliver more than 20% of the video segment within the deadline, which shows that 5G SA is absolutely necessary for low-latency UHD video streaming and 5G NSA may not be good enough for such task as it relies on the legacy control signal.

Problem

• Evaluating low-latency live streaming performance of UHD video
• Comparing 5G SA/NSA and LTE networks for video delivery reliability
• Assessing mobile network suitability for real-time MPEG-DASH streaming

Innovation

• Evaluating MPEG-DASH streaming over 5G networks
• Testing minimal buffer size for low latency
• Comparing 5G SA and NSA performance metrics