U.S. carrier AT&T plans a live, on-site trial demonstration of LTE Broadcast for invited guests during the college football national championship game at AT&T Stadium January 12.

LTE Broadcast is a new mobile network technology AT&T is currently exploring that enables the delivery of content directly to all users with compatible devices within a designated timeframe and area. It could be used to distribute a wide range of content including music, video, and software to specific areas within our LTE footprint, such as a single sports stadium.

LTE Broadcast works by allocating a portion of wireless network resources to host specific content streams that any compatible device can access simultaneously.  Delivering the same content stream to multiple users, rather than delivering each user their own individual content stream, optimizes network resources.

This trial demonstration signifies the early stages of AT&T's foray into LTE Broadcast, but operator sees a promising future with this technology.  It could offer a variety of valuable future uses such as the ability to deliver software updates to not just smartphones, but also to the Internet of Things like connected cars and other devices, as well as new one-to-many commercial services for businesses. At sporting events, or other large events, LTE Broadcast can be used to distribute special content to attendees, including additional feeds, alternate camera angles or bonus footage.