PyeongChang 2018 commences in about a month. And the upcoming Winter Olympics is already shaping up to be an interesting one.
In a noteworthy development, North Korea reportedly plans to send athletes, cheerleaders, journalists, performing artists, and politicians to the games. This is after successful talks between North Korea and South Korea, following a period of high tensions over nuclear threats.
This is a month after the International Olympic Committee last month announced its decision to ban Russia from the games. That followed a committee investigation deeming the Russian Olympic Committee guilty of “systematic manipulation of the anti-doping rules and system.” It was referring to Russia’s conduct during the 2014 Sochi Games.
In terms of technology, the Winter Olympics in South Korea is interesting because it will serve as a real-life test of 5G technology. This 5G effort, which will deliver gigabit-speed wireless broadband, is being supported by Korea Telecom (News - Alert), Intel, and others. Intel says it will enable the company to better understand atmospheric and weather impacts on millimeter wave spectrum.
“At PyeongChang 2018, Intel, KT (News - Alert), and our ecosystem collaborators will deliver a 5G showcase in Gangneung Olympic Park, and in Gwanghwamoon, Seoul and at other Olympic venues across Korea,” said Sandra Rivera, senior vice president and general manager of the network platforms group at Intel (News - Alert). “In addition, there will be 5G experiences made possible by the Intel 5G Mobile Trial Platform and Intel 5G network technologies (including FlexRAN technology) that will be activated on the 5G network at a variety of Olympic locations.”
KT in late October said it’s had successfully interconnected 5G demonstration Olympic venue networks with Samsung (News - Alert) Electronics 5G terminals. It also deemed its test transmitting bulk images over 5G a success.
Edited by
Mandi Nowitz
