Companies around the world are preparing for 5G, the fifth-generation cellular technology that delivers dramatically faster wireless speeds and supports transmission of vast amounts of data. 5G is already powering applications such as autonomous vehicles, virtual reality, and even remote surgery. Its combination of high bandwidth and low latency, especially when paired with augmented and virtual reality, opens new opportunities across the entertainment industry.
A report commissioned by Intel and conducted by Ovum projects that media and entertainment “experiences” enabled by 5G could generate up to $1.3 trillion in revenue by 2028. The report identifies 2025 as a potential tipping point for 5G adoption in entertainment and media: by then, roughly 57 percent of global wireless revenue may be driven by 5G network and device capabilities, with that share rising to about 80 percent by 2028.
Zú is Montréal’s newest creative hub, launched by Québec entrepreneur Guy Laliberté, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil. As a non-profit, Zú’s mission is to bring together, support, and promote creatives in the entertainment sector so they can develop world-class, innovative projects.
Lenovo partnered with TELUS and Zú to create Canada’s first experimental 5G laboratory devoted entirely to the creative and entertainment industries. The 5G TELUS LAB is a dedicated creative, testing, and experimental space outfitted with advanced technology to expand the possibilities of digital creativity.
Using TELUS’s 5G network and devices such as Motorola Edge+ phones, Lenovo ThinkStation workstations, high-performance gaming laptops, and the 5G-compatible ThinkSystem SE350 Edge Server, the 5G TELUS Lab enables creators to test AR/VR, 3D holograms, mobile gaming, interactive storytelling, live volumetric performances, and 4K live streaming. The facility commonly delivers average download speeds around 1.2 Gbps, upload speeds near 142 Mbps, and latency between 9 and 13 ms—performance levels that support demanding, real-time creative workflows.
“5G network speeds will transform all facets of life, including entertainment, and the entrepreneurs enrolled in Zú’s incubation programs are at the forefront of utilizing this technology in their creative projects,” said Colin McIsaac, executive director and general manager of Canada at Lenovo. “Providing our hardware, devices, and expertise to the 5G TELUS Lab aligns with Lenovo’s commitment to developing smarter technology for all and helps ensure that the full potential of 5G is achieved in the years to come.”
Figure 1: 5G TELUS Lab – Edge Connectivity for AR/VR use case
The 5G TELUS Lab includes:
- Advanced in-building wireless networks, including pre-commercial experimental 5G spectrum
- A dedicated VR/AR room for immersive virtual, augmented, and mixed reality projects
- Two editing suites suited for video editing, audio mixing, post-production, and color correction
- Six Lenovo multifunction workstations loaded with creative, animation, and production software for 3D animation, modeling, simulation, design, architecture, and engineering workflows
One example of the lab’s capabilities is the use of the OVA Stellar X app running on the secure, compact Lenovo SE350 Edge server, which lets artists wearing VR headsets create immersive content with simple drag-and-drop tools.
“Edge computing is enabling new use cases and transforming user experience. Lenovo, TELUS and Zú are helping young professionals and entrepreneurs unleash their creativity with ultra-low latency 5G technology and compute capabilities running workloads at the edge,” said Charles Ferland, Vice President & General Manager, Edge Computing & Communication Service Providers at Lenovo.
Lenovo’s products and platform tools give young creatives and entrepreneurs a set of pre-commercial, cutting-edge resources to test and refine projects in a real-world environment well before wide-scale 5G deployment. This access helps startups and creators validate workflows, optimize performance, and explore new narrative and interactive formats.
Lenovo also supports Zú’s incubation cohorts by helping structure their businesses and add value through mentorship, technical assistance, and access to industry-grade hardware and software.
From speeding up on-set data transfers to enabling new film, gaming, and live performance experiences, the combination of 5G, edge computing, artificial intelligence, and mixed reality could usher in a fresh wave of innovation for the entertainment industry.
Editor’s note: This article is in association with Lenovo.
(Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash)