The host cities of the 19th Asian Games have harnessed state-of-the-art communication technologies to guarantee a smart and seamless experience for fans and athletes. These technologies include the 5G-Advanced network and passive IoT (Internet of Things) infrastructure.
The 5G-Advanced network, a leading global communication technology, offers speeds up to 10 times faster than standard 5G networks. The organizing committee of the Hangzhou Asian Games has already integrated this technology into various aspects of the event, such as intelligent connected vehicles and smart venue operations.
In a significant milestone, a demonstration 5G-Advanced 10-gigabit network has been installed along the route connecting Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre and the Asian Games Village.
Passive IoT is another critical communication technology employed to ensure smart management during the Asian Games. For instance, the Hangzhou Esports Centre will utilize passive IoT tags in player cockpits to monitor real-time environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. These tags will also be used in the Asian Games Village for tracking logistics vehicles, warehouse management, and asset inventory management, including valuable assets like vehicles and electric bicycles.
Moreover, the Asian Games will feature driverless buses utilizing autonomous driving technology, shuttling between competition venues.
However, the most vital aspect of the technological infrastructure is the 5G network’s capability to support tens of thousands of people simultaneously accessing the internet without any lag at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. As the main venue for the Hangzhou Asian Games, this stadium, known as the Big Lotus, will host the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field competitions.
With a total construction area of 229,000 square meters and its distinctive design consisting of 28 large petals and 27 small petals, the Big Lotus can accommodate more than 80,000 spectators. Recognizing the unique structure and the high user density expected during the Games, the technical team responsible for the venue’s network and communication began developing solutions in 2019.
Li Qianxing, director of venue network and communication support, explained that the original network communication equipment proved insufficient during an event with 60,000 people in 2019. Additionally, the widespread use of 5G mobile phones led to increased network usage demands.
Hence, a robust and intelligent network for the stadium became a necessity. The first step was to reduce the distance to wireless points, ensuring both safety and connectivity. Originally mounted 35 to 50 meters high, these points were lowered to 3 to 5 meters. The gymnasium was divided into 134 small coverage zones with a total of 250 equipment points.
To meet user communication needs, a double-frequency, ultra-dense networking technology was adopted, capable of carrying 5G capacity while ensuring safety during emergencies.
Li mentioned, “Since 2022, we have repeatedly conducted stress tests on this network system in a full-scale environment and continuously improved it. Practice has proven that we have withstood those tests.”
These advanced communication technologies not only enhance the Asian Games experience for fans and athletes but also represent a significant step toward the future of sports events.