KT Wiz Home Opening Series: Experience the game vividly in 360 degrees with the world's first VR baseball live broadcast.
Successful application of core transmission technologies required for high-capacity, ultra-high-speed networks in the 5G era

'Virtual Reality (VR)' heats up the 2016 KBO professional baseball season.

KT (Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu) announced on the 6th that it provided the world's first GiGA VR mobile baseball live broadcast at the professional baseball KT Wiz home opener held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 5th.

KT Wiz owner and Chairman Hwang Chang-kyu personally encouraged the KT Wiz team before the start of the home game, and after the game, he experienced the GiGA VR mobile baseball live broadcast together with KT Group executives and employees, strongly expressing his determination to lead the 5G communication era where services such as 'GiGA VR' will become commonplace.

GiGA VR mobile baseball live broadcast generates and transmits video by combining footage captured in real-time by five VR-dedicated cameras installed at first base, third base, and the catcher's position, allowing users to watch the VR live broadcast on their smartphones. Spectators at the stadium enjoyed moments of the game from various angles using smartphones and approximately 1,000 cardboard-type VR devices provided free of charge by KT. Viewers who did not visit the stadium also enjoyed the GiGA VR mobile baseball live broadcast on the Olleh TV mobile app and Wizzap.

'GiGA VR Mobile Baseball Live Broadcast' was provided through 'stitching' technology, which connects high-definition VR video captured by five cameras to allow viewing from a 360° direction, and technology that transmits the stitched video in real time via an ultra-high-speed network. Spectators at the stadium were able to watch via GiGA WiFi and LTE installed within the stadium.

In particular, based on its superior network, KT unveiled for the first time a technology capable of transmitting 4K VR video in real time that is approximately four times clearer than existing VR videos centered on 2K standard definition. This is a core transmission technology necessary for high-capacity, ultra-high-speed networks in the 5G era and is expected to serve as the foundation for high-definition immersive media services to be provided through KT's 5G infrastructure in the future.

KT installed the nation's first 'GiGA VR exclusive seating' on the second floor of Hite Pub, an outfield viewing area at Wiz Park. It is equipped with HMDs (Head Mount Displays) for VR viewing and smartphone chargers, providing a convenient and comfortable environment for watching VR baseball. In addition, after the end of the 5th inning, a GiGA VR experience event was held as an inning event, offering generous prizes such as the latest smartphone, the Galaxy S7.

GiGA VR dedicated seats, VR events, opening of ICT experience center 'kt square in wizpark', etc.
Building an image of a digital stadium that integrates culture and ICT

Meanwhile, KT has opened 'kt square in wizpark,' an ICT experience center at the baseball stadium where visitors can preview 5G ICT services. The facility features a '5G Zone' where visitors can experience 5G content such as VR, drones, and holograms, as well as a 'GiGA Strike Zone' for enjoying screen baseball games. Fans visiting the stadium can enjoy the baseball game while also seeing and experiencing KT's advanced 5G services firsthand.

KT will provide GiGA VR mobile baseball live broadcasts during the home opening series from the 5th to the 7th. In addition, it plans to produce VR highlight videos of KT Wiz baseball games and offer them on Olleh TV Mobile.

“The GiGA VR mobile baseball live broadcast is the first commercialization of the VR broadcasting service that KT showcased at the MWC (Mobile World Congress 2016) held in Spain last February,” said Yoon Kyung-rim, Vice President and Head of the Future Convergence Business Promotion Office at KT. “Going forward, KT will continue to innovate as a leader in next-generation media based on immersive content by utilizing real-time high-definition VR services.” "We will also lead the 5G era in sports, including the PyeongChang Olympics, by utilizing advanced ICT technology," he said.