KT Completes Qatar World Cup International Broadcast Network Construction... Delivering Vivid On-Site Coverage

An Chiyong, Head of KT Gangbuk-Gangwon Regional Headquarters (left), is checking the local situation at the Qatar International Broadcasting Center (IBC) through a video call with Lee Sang-il, Head of KT Gangbuk-Gangwon Network Operations Headquarters (inside the monitor, left). Photo by KT

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] KT announced on the 15th that it has completed the construction of the international broadcast relay network for the World Cup, which will be held in Doha, Qatar, starting on the 20th (local time).

KT was exclusively selected as the main telecommunications company for the Qatar World Cup international broadcast relay network last May. Since then, KT dispatched technical staff to Qatar to build a system for uninterrupted broadcasting. On the 14th, when the work was completed, an opening ceremony for the international broadcast relay network was held at the KT Seoul International Telecommunication Center.

Videos filmed at the local stadium are transmitted via large-capacity international submarine cables such as APG (Asia Pacific Gateway), KJCN (Korea-Japan Cable Network), and APCN2 (Asia-Pacific Cable Network 2), which are monitored and operated at KT’s overseas base facilities (PoP) in Singapore and London, as well as the Busan International Telecommunication Center, arriving at the Seoul International Telecommunication Center. KT provides these videos to the three terrestrial broadcasters to deliver the World Cup scenes vividly to the public.

To ensure uninterrupted broadcasting, KT multiplexed the international submarine cable sections into two main routes and three backup routes. This created a total of five routes between the International Broadcast Center (IBC) in Doha, Qatar, and the three Korean terrestrial broadcasters. If a failure occurs on one route, the signal can immediately be rerouted through another.

In particular, the broadcast relay system applied the ‘Hitless’ function. Hitless is a feature that allows broadcasting to continue without interruption even during the brief moment when the route switches to receive signals from another path due to a failure during relay. The core equipment used for this function was the ‘Nimbra’ device, which can simultaneously receive signals from multiple routes and combine only the normal signals for transmission.

In addition to the broadcast relay system, KT completed thorough pre-quality testing and emergency recovery drills for all services. To prepare for various unexpected situations, KT will open a comprehensive control room and enter an emergency duty system until December 18, when the tournament ends. International telephone and internet services will also be provided for broadcasting officials, press corps, and World Cup personnel dispatched locally.

Lee Sang-il, Senior Executive Director of KT’s Gangbuk Gangwon Network Operations Headquarters, said, “KT gained experience and know-how as the official main telecommunications operator for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.” He added, “We will do our best to provide stable, high-quality broadcast relay services that capture the Taegeuk Warriors’ outstanding performances at the Qatar World Cup, delivering passionate excitement to the public.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.