Neutral Wireless Brings Flying Private 5G to MWC26 Barcelona with Real-World Deployments Across Land, Sea, and Air
Neutral Wireless will showcase its latest Flying Private 5G deployments at MWC26 Barcelona, demonstrating how rapidly deployable connectivity is reshaping live TV and streaming production, smart stadium infrastructure and mission-critical communications.
Located within the MWC Airport of the Future zone, the Neutral Wireless stand will focus on practical deployment innovation rather than conceptual telecoms demonstrations. Visitors will experience real-world systems used across live sports production, connected events and Public Protection & Disaster Relief (PPDR), including airborne and mobile private 5G networks designed for high-uplink performance and rapid activation.
At the centre of the showcase will be a 5G-enabled Groppo ultralight aircraft, previously used in trials for live TV production and PPDR deployments. The exhibit will also feature live demonstrations of nibOS, the company’s award-winning orchestration software, which automates network operations across land, sea and air environments. The showcase builds on concepts first explored through the IBC Accelerator Innovation Programme “Conquering the Air(waves): Private 5G from Land to Sea to Sky”, where Neutral Wireless contributed to early airborne private 5G broadcast workflows.
A key theme of the showcase is the evolution of pop-up private 5G, supported by the upcoming availability of short-duration N40 spectrum by Ofcom in the UK. This shift is expected to significantly reduce deployment timelines for temporary live events and news gathering, enabling networks to be activated in days rather than months.
Sustainability is a core part of how Neutral Wireless designs and deploys private 5G networks. Lightweight airborne and mobile systems reduce the need for heavy infrastructure, large outside broadcast deployments, and energy-intensive workflows. The MWC Barcelona exhibit will demonstrate how Flying Private 5G can support lower-impact production models, with mobile deployment platforms capable of operating using battery solutions and alternative power sources such as BioLPG and locally generated energy. By combining efficient radio design with intelligent orchestration through nibOS software, Neutral Wireless aims to enable more sustainable connectivity for live events, smart stadiums and Public Protection & Disaster Relief operations.
Neutral Wireless is collaborating with a number of organisations and technology partners to deliver elements of the MWC Barcelona showcase, bringing together expertise across private 5G infrastructure, edge compute, satellite connectivity and live production workflows. The initiative is supported by GSMA Fusion, IBC and the Dept of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Ireland, alongside contributions from technology partners including AMD, Amarisoft, AW2S, Cisco, Druid Software, Eutelsat, Haivision, Logicalis, Qualcomm and StrathSDR.
“The industry is full of big promises about future networks, but our focus is on what’s already working in the real world,” said Professor Bob Stewart, CTO and Director at Neutral Wireless. “At MWC, we’re showing how private 5G can be deployed quickly, sustainably and in places traditional infrastructure struggles to reach. Whether that’s live sport, major events or emergency response, the goal is to make connectivity more flexible, more efficient and ultimately more useful.”
Neutral Wireless will be conducting media briefings and live demonstrations throughout MWC Barcelona, highlighting real deployments across broadcast, news, connected venues and PPDR environments.
About Neutral Wireless
Neutral Wireless specialises in rapidly deployable private 5G and non-public network solutions for live production, smart stadiums, large-scale events and mission-critical operations. Combining airborne and mobile connectivity platforms with nibOS orchestration software, the company enables high-performance wireless workflows across land, sea and air environments.