KT Senior Executive Vice President Oh Sung-mok in charge of the Network Division explains  to reporters on Dec. 13 that  KT's 5G services will be available at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.

A view of KT’s 5G Bus at the Han River Public Park in Yeouido, Seoul in which Seoulites can a glimpse into 5G services KT will offer during the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. (Photos: KT)

KT plans to build a communications network by next September to demonstrate the world’s first-ever 5G service during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. During the Olympic period, advanced sports relay services will be offered by making the most of such 5G technologies as 360 degree VR and hologram videos. 

KT announced its plan on 5G demonstration services for the PyeongChang Olympics during a meeting of reporters in Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul, on Dec. 13. The communications network for the 5G services will be established in parts of Seoul and areas of PyeongChang, Jeongseon and Gangneung in Ganwon-do. The stabilization process will last until Feb. 9, 2018 on the opening day of the Winter Olympic Games. 

KT succeeded in recording a wireless download speed of 2.3Gbps, seven times faster than the LTE (G4) speed at 300Mbps. The speed will be upgraded to up to 5Gbps in time for the opening of the Winter Olympics. 

“As black-and-white and color TV broadcasting services made their debut in 1936 Berlin Olympics and 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, respectively, the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games will be recorded as ‘5G Olympics’” said KT Senior Executive Vice President Oh Sung-mok, in charge of the Network Division. “With the upcoming demonstrating of the 5G services, Korea will be in a better position to lead the global 5G market ahead and set global standards.”

During the event on Dec. 13, KT demonstrated “Bobsleigh Sink View” in which bobsleigh races were televised live via a super-small camera attached to the helmets of the athletes going 150 km per hour. The 360-degree VR videos will be displayed via tablet PCs and smartphones, as if spectators are with physically athletes before, during and after their competitions. 

KT also plans to introduce “Time Slice” a service designed to display 3D still videos captured at diverse angles on athletes, as well as “Hologram Live” a service designed to make spectators feel closer to athletes.  

Senior Executive Vice President Oh said, “Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games will play a part as the key to usher in a 5G era.” He went on to say that KT will devote itself to advancing the commercialization of 5G services by building an ecosystem for the 5G industry in cooperation with global and Korean SME equipment makers. 

In a related development on the same day, Huawei, the global No. 1 communications equipment maker, signed a contract to provide communications networks and services with the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games Organization Committee. Such services as real-time game data transmissions, broadband certifications, and Olympics security monitoring based on an integrated network system will be offered.