Korea's state-of-the-art IT technology will be showcased during the ongoing inspection by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission in Pyeongchang, one of three cities bidding to host the Winter Olympics in 2018.
Gangwon Province recently announced that it will provide high-quality “smart services” for the IOC commission's inspection, which are being held from February 14 to 20.
The province will provide Wibro and Wifi services in Pyeongchang, Gangneung and Jeongseon to create “perfect mobile Internet zones.” The province hopes that Korea's IT expertise will make a good impression on IOC commission members, helping to secure Pyeonchang's bid for the games.
The province has installed than 1,000 internet lines at twelve sites in Pyeongchang, Gangneung and Jeongseon, where IOC commission members will visit for inspections or attend presentation meetings. These sites include presentation venues, administration support headquarters, media management centers and other IT-related centers.
| Members of the IOC Evaluation Commission attending a presentation at the Alpensia Convention Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, on Feb. 16. (Yonhap News) |
In cooperation with local government entities and related communication enterprises, Gangwon Province will also provide wireless internet and high-speed internet service for smartphone and laptop computer users inside IOC inspection sites. It has also enabled Wibro for people to connect outside the buildings.
The province built a network station to problems for mobile internet service users, and will operate four mobile relay station vehicles and IT support teams at the Alpensia Resort until the IOC commission ends the inspection.
Meanwhile, the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Bid Committee announced on Feb. 10 that it had developed a smartphone application for the city's bid to host the Winter Olympics. The committee provided tablet PCs with the application for IOC evaluation commission members after they arrived at Incheon International Airport.
The application contains the city's bid file and information related the inspection, including sports events sites, weather, entertainment and inspection schedule. The application enables users to find detailed information on the city, including commute times, stadiums, food and tourism information.
The committee said it will develop another smartphone application for ordinary users if the city wins the bid.
For a successful evaluation, high-profile experts, including professors, businesspeople and gold medalists from previous Olympics will deliver presentations. These presenters include Lee Charm, CEO of the Korea Tourism Organization.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
