World Cup United: how satellites make football a truly global game

Thousands of fans may enjoy the football in person, but it's estimated that over 3.2 billion of us will catch some of the live TV coverage - that's almost half the population of planet Earth.

The World Cup is broadcast under what satellite operators call 'occasional use' transmission. That's the name for bandwidth allocated alongside regular broadcasting in order to cover special live events. This month is a busy time.

"No matter what the technology that is used at the home to receive the television, satellites are being used," underlines Xavier Lobao, Head of Future Telecommunications Projects, TIA.

 

Published 15 June 2014
Last updated at 05 November 2014 - 11:10