Tech-loaded AFC Asian Cup™ show in China

Article posted by Coliseum, October 19^th, 2021

Image: China Mobile, AFC & FMA

China Mobile Migu, the Official Partner of AFC Asian Cup China 2023™, held a virtual press conference on October 14^th for the publication of its 5G Smart Venue Technical White Paper (‘the White Paper’).

The ‘Football Marketing Asia’ stated that Andrew Rogers, AFC Commercial Director, He Xi, General Secretary of AFC Asian Cup™ Local Organizing Committee, Liu Jian, General Manager of China Mobile’s Government and Enterprise Division, Liu Xin, General Manager of China Mobile Migu Corporation, Andrew Guy, Executive Vice-President at Football Marketing Asia (FMA), and representatives from the 10 Host Cities of the Asian Cup China 2023™ and China Mobile’s local divisions attended the virtual press conference to witness the release of the ‘White Paper’.

The 2023 AFC Asian Cup™ will be the 18^th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, the quadrennial international men’s football championship of Asia organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It will be hosted by China from June 16^th to July 16^th, 2023.

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Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)-headquartered the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is one of the six confederations within FIFA and is the governing body of football in Asia and Australia. It has 47 member- countries, most of which are located in Asia. Australia, formerly in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), joined the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.

Stated Andrew Rogers, AFC’s Commercial Director, “The AFC and China Mobile Migu share a vision, which is to deliver a truly unique and exciting football experience to our fans in China PR through the implementation of the latest and most innovative technology across our competitions – particularly for the AFC Asian Cup 2023™.”

Added Rogers, “We look forward to collaborating with China Mobile Migu and the LOC on staging a very successful AFC Asian Cup China 2023™.”

Migu, as a leading multimedia and on-demand content service provider in China, has been committed to exploring innovative video applications, aiming to provide users with high-quality products and service.

China Mobile is the trade name of both China Mobile Limited and its ultimate controlling shareholder, China Mobile Communications Group Company Limited, a Chinese State-owned company.

Commented He Xi, General Secretary, AFC Asian Cup Local Organizing Committee, “The China Organizing Committee and Host Cities are committed to build world-leading smart venues. China Mobile’s 5G smart venue technologies ‘White Paper’ represent the latest guidance for the integration of 5G technology in sports events and venues.”

Added Xi, “It is aligned with the Asian Cup™ information technology plan formulated by the China Organizing Committee. It covers more sports events, proposes wider applications and explores more technological features. We believe the publication of the ‘White Paper’ will provide a useful reference for the preparation of the Asian Cup 2023™ and the construction of smart venues in the Host Cities.”

Remarked Liu Jian, General Manager, China Mobile’s Government and Enterprise Division, “China Mobile has been actively developing and propelling new trends in the digital intelligence industry to accelerate the construction of a new ‘connectivity + computing power + capability’ infrastructure that focuses on integrating 5G, computing power and an intelligent middle platform.”

Added Jian, “China Mobile has further implemented a ‘5G+’ plan, fast-tracking 5G development by integrating the technology into industries and people’s lives. As of September, we have built more than half a million 5G base stations and created 200+ model projects and over 4,000 commercial cases in 18 industry segments.”

Liu Xin, General Manager, China Mobile Migu Corporation, added, “The AFC Asian Cup™ is Asia’s pinnacle national team football competition and a major large-scale football event. It provides great opportunities to showcase China’s global image, promote our country’s development and invigorate the national spirit. The event will attract wide attention home and abroad.”

Added Xin, “As the Official Regional Partner of AFC Asian Cup™, we launch the 5G Smart Venue Technology White Paper, aiming to exploit the advantages of China Mobile’s technological innovations such as ‘5G+AICDE’. By providing a more immersive viewing experience and smarter venues services through the ‘5G+ sports’ upgrade of the venues, we are building a cutting-edge competitive environment for athletes and referees, to contribute to the success of AFC Asian Cup 2023™.”

Sun Xiangyun, General Manager of China Mobile Migu’s Industry Digital Solutions Department, released the ‘White Paper’ at the press conference. It provides a comprehensive overview of the basic network communication technology requirements for 5G smart venues and emphasizes on 5G technology applications in the areas of viewer service, smart viewing, venue management, and commercial operation.

The integrated 5G smart venue solution further promotes upgrading of venues in several areas such as epidemic prevention and control, youth training and fitness. It also aims at reducing cost by improving venue management efficiency and operational capabilities. It will help to create new business and new services, adding long-term value for venues.

According to reports, the ‘White Paper’ combines China Mobile’s core technology support solutions and practical experience gained from the construction of 5G smart venues with the Winter Sports Center of the State Sports General Administration and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league. It provides the host venues professional guidance and specifications.

The ‘Football Marketing Asia’ further stated that the partnership between the AFC and China Mobile Migu will enable Chinese audiences to view all major AFC national team competition, including the AFC Asian Qualifiers™, the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ and the AFC Champions League™ via Migu Video, China Mobile Mobaihe and 5G Video Ringtone. In addition, both parties will further cooperate in areas like marketing activation and event promotion, with the objective to offer fans a fully immersive AFC Asian Cup™ experience.

The AFC’s official regional partner’s solutions aim to make the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ the most technologically advanced football competition in Asia.

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