South Korea 5G Revolution: World's first 5G sports stadium revolutionizes game viewing
Updated 11:19, 10-Sep-2019
5G telecom networks are 20 times faster than 4G. The new technology is set to revolutionize the way we shop, work and drive, in fact, just about everything. While a full 5G rollout may be some time off, it's already in action at one baseball stadium in South Korea, completely transforming the way fans can interact with the game. Jack Barton reports from Suwon.
There are cheerleaders and the expected raucous crowds at the KT Wiz baseball stadium just south of Seoul. Because it's South Korea there are also robots serving drinks and ice creams.
But what really sets this stadium apart is it's the world's first to go 5G, allowing fans a new perspective on their favorite game.
HAN WOO-JE MARKETING TEAM ASSISTANT MANAGER, KT SPORTS "In the past, we operated by sending video we received from broadcasting companies. This year we established the 5G stadium. The goal of the service is to reorganize video so the user can freely receive the game video on their screens whenever they want."
Control room staff are now in charge of seven Ultra High Definition and 20 High definition cameras spread around the stands. They catch all the action, relayed directly, in interactive full quality, through the stadium's free-to-download app.
JACK BARTONKT WIZ STADIUM, SUWON "For people with a 5G phone there is 4K quality video, 270-degree angles, you can zoom in with your fingers, the quality is incredible. I've only got a 4G phone, like many people, but even on this the options and the quality are pretty impressive."
HAN WOO-JE MARKETING TEAM ASSISTANT MANAGER, KT SPORTS "People who see this video become members. That's why the number of stadium memberships has increased 10 percent this year."
The app also allows fans to order food delivered straight to their seat as well as tickets.
And there's more, maybe.
"I'm not sure which part of this is 5G but it is a lot of fun."
Ticket sales have risen despite predictions by some they would fall. Organizers say it's because fans can now watch the game on their way from work, instead of missing the early innings.
Some overseas clubs have been visiting to check out this technology, which also directly tracks weather, ticket sales, seat occupation, spectator satisfaction and a lot of other sales-related statistics.
Though while 5G can offer a new viewing experience, it still can't stop the rain. Jack Barton at KT Wiz stadium in Suwon.