“It’s like getting access to the bus lane on the motorway when traffic is at a standstill. The trial at Synthony over the weekend is a glimpse into what the future holds, and how 5G+ can make the experiences our customers love even better,” Clark said.

But as Spark’s delivery lead Kenny Thomson explained in a live demo, the applications for the technology expand far beyond just festivals.

Thomson said the dedicated mobile lane is variable and can be adjusted for several different applications, whether that’s for gamers, businesses or special use cases.

Clark added that there were opportunities for businesses to go beyond just network connection.

“A dedicated network lane through 5G+ can enable a range of capabilities from service operations to safety and security. It can support services such as ticket scanning, cashless payments and CCTV security cameras or, how live broadcasts are delivered,” Clark said.

Live broadcasts can be challenging on a congested network, as consistent, reliable connections are needed to ensure quality.

Below Studios creative director Matthew Clode said that traditionally when livestreaming events, technicians would need to hardwire their connections to the nearest network tower, or through a building nearby, which itself brings several challenges and added costs.

However, by using 5G+ on a test device, Clode was able to wirelessly livestream two performances throughout the night, amounting to over an hour of livestreamed footage.

He said the technology was a “game changer” for the events space, and when given the option between the two methods, he said it was clear which he’d prefer.

Duco Events group chief executive Craig Cotton said when attendees at events don’t talk about the technology, it’s a good sign it’s worked well.

“We live in a world of experiences, and ensuring our fans were connected right throughout the festival is essential,” Cotton said.

“When Sean Ingram (Spark’s entertainment product owner) first came to us and said he wanted to livestream Kayleigh Bell and The Black Seeds, the biggest question was is it going to work?

“We don’t like making promises to our artists when it potentially may not work, so the fact it had over 200,000 people watching at its peak, it gives a lot of confidence.”

Cotton said the team had spent more on filming capabilities for this year’s event, as the brand’s social strategy has been key to its growth internationally.

But now with 5G+ potentially available in the coming years, Cotton said the technology is a great opportunity to leverage content generation from fans at an unprecedented scale.

The technology is still in development, with Spark confirming that 5G+ will roll out to Spark customers more broadly next summer, at a range of major events including music festivals and sports games.

Business services are also currently in trial with a range of customers.

As for pricing and eligibility, Spark is set to announce this later in 2026.

The Herald attended Synthony courtesy of Spark.

Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.