KT Chmn. Hwang says “KT will be able to rise to a global platform spearheading the 4th Industrial Revolution if KT successfully shows off ICT capabilities and 5G leadership at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympiad.”
In his New Year’s message, KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu revealed a plan to push ahead with the commercialization of 5G telecom network technology in earnest to rise to a global No. 1 position by making the most of successfully demonstrating the world’s fist 5G pilot program during the upcoming 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.
In the e-mail message delivered to his executives and staff members on Jan. 2, KT Chairman Hwang said, “As the Japan electronic industry became a global powerhouse after broadcasting the world’s first color relay race at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, KT will be able to rise to a global platform leader spearheading the 4th Industrial Revolution if KT shows off ICT capabilities and 5G leadership leading the world at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympiad,” he said.
Last February, KT announced a plan to focus on nurturing five platforms in media, smart energy, financial transaction, corporate/public value enhancement, and disaster/safety/security.
‘PyeongChang 5G Village,’ a Place to Get a Glimpse into 5G World
A small village known as “PyeongChang 5G Village” is just a 15-minute drive from the PyeongChang Alpensia Olympic Stadium, the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. This place in Haenggae 2-ri, Daegwallyeong-meon, PyeongChang-gun, Gangwon-do, is actually called Uiyaji Village, and it’s where KT is implementing a pilot program to demonstrate a 5th generation telecom technology for the first time in the world. To this end, KT, the official telecom service partner of the PyeongChang Olympiad, has created a communications and broadcasting network totaling 11,000 km in length throughout the PyeongChang and Gangneung areas.
The village is a place with 208 people in 90 households who can get a glimpse into what a 5G world will be like the future.
KT has made an experience cafe outfitted with such advanced technologies as VR and AR, and installed an IoT-based control system to combat wild boars’ rampaging into the village. There are large-sized TV and webcams in place to help villagers receive diverse educational programs.
KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu, who attended a ceremony to open the PyeongChang 5G Village, said,” The Uiyaji Village will show how innovative technologies based on 5G will transform future life.”
On the second floor of the two-story “Gotbatyangji Cafe” at the center of the village is a “5G AR Market Outlet” in which a video shows a host who introduces via a 5G-oriented tablet PC specialty produce such as dried pollack and dried meat. Unlike the ordinary home shopping TV screen, people can search items on the screen of the tablet with their fingertips.
The 5G technology, capable of transmitting data 100 times faster than conventional LTE, can present 360 degree VR videos via the tablet PC. Information above the specialty produce, including price tags, appears on the screen. A touch on the introduction video menu category would present scenes of farmers’ harvesting cabbage and interviews with them. The village with fascinating sights will serve as a magnet for tourists even after the 2018 Winter Olympiad is over. On the first floor of the cafe, tourists can experience seven major tourist courses in Daegwallyeong County while playing AR games.
The operation of a smartphone and a camera, 2 meters wide and 1.2 meters long, shows a graphic map with major tourists spots like Alpensia Resort and Samyang Ranch. A touch on the Uiyangji Village prompts tour information and allows users to play a harvesting potato game. Potato items you would win in the game may be exchanged as discount coupons when you can buy coffee and specialty produce.
Village images taken via a drone are shown via a 85-inch super-large screen at the Tour Information Media Wall.
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