Vodafone Qatar, Official Telecommunications Sponsor of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup, in partnership with Al Kass Sports Channels, has showcased the region’s first-ever live 5G and 360-broadcast from Al Janoub Stadium where Qatar faced Saudi Arabia in the semi-final game of the tournament.
The 360-degree camera was installed at Al Janoub Stadium and broadcasted the game live to the Al Kass YouTube Channel over Vodafone Qatar’s GigaNet 5G network, giving fans a real-time experience of the game as if they were physically present, with no delay or interruptions.
The live virtual reality (VR) experience was yet another 5G milestone for Vodafone Qatar, which raised the fan experience at the Arabian Gulf Cup tournament to another level with its state-of-the-art digital connectivity.
5G’s low latency, fastest speed, and highest bandwidth can create viewing experiences for sporting fans like no other and get them much closer to the game. With almost no lags, 5G-powered Virtual and Augmented Reality can enable high-quality mixed reality interactions with the game and even allow viewers at home to see goals from new angles in real-time.
Vodafone Qatar CEO Sheikh Hamad Abdulla al-Thani said: “The way we enjoy live sports games is about to be transformed by 5G capabilities. By unlocking the full potential of immersive technologies such as VR, the live sporting viewing experience will be truly personalised and interactive. The fan experiences powered by Vodafone Qatar’s 5G network at the Gulf Cup are a taste of what is to come at future international tournaments.”
Eissa Abdullah al-Hitmi, general manager of Al Kass Sports Channels, said: “Al Kass is pleased to have partnered with Vodafone Qatar in delivering such an exceptional viewing experience for football fans in Qatar and the region. It’s been a welcome opportunity to enhance our coverage in an innovative way for the thousands of enthusiasts using our digital platform to support their teams.”
Thousands of football fans have been enjoying a host of innovative fan experiences offered by Vodafone throughout the tournament including its latest ‘Fan of the Match’ in-stadium competition, and a ‘Fan Zone’ where visitors have been experiencing a customised AR game powered by Vodafone’s 5G GigaNet network and a VR football game.
In addition, Vodafone’s specially designed platform www.fans.vf.qa, which is open to everyone in Qatar, offers interactive games that allow players to predict match results and answer a series of quizzes and trivia on a daily basis for a chance to win valuable prizes.
Vodafone Qatar has been keeping fans connected on its GigaNet network at Khalifa International Stadium, Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium as part of its sponsorship of the Arabian Gulf Cup 2019.