[Edaily Reporter Yoon Jeong-hoon] #KT is making every effort to ensure the stability of communication networks in key areas where large crowds are expected to gather for street cheering ahead of the World Cup’s opening match. The company plans to utilize AI-based intelligent network control technology to prevent any degradation in communication quality at the source.

KT announced on the 9th that it has completed preemptive inspections of communication quality and established an emergency response system centered on major cheering areas—including Gwanghwamun Square, City Hall Square, and Yeongdong-daero in Gangnam—ahead of the South Korean national soccer team’s first match on the 12th.

In particular, KT has applied “W-SDN (Wireless-Software Defined Network)” technology to its response system. W-SDN is an intelligent network control system that precisely analyzes real-time traffic from a central location to automatically identify and manage base stations at risk of overload. It can immediately reallocate network resources based on crowd density and changes in service usage, ensuring stable communication services even during large-scale events.

To respond to sudden spikes in traffic that may occur on-site, KT is operating a phased response system. Mobile base stations will be pre-deployed, and the Gwacheon Network Control Center will conduct 24-hour special monitoring before and after the cheering events. In the event of any unusual situations, KT plans to immediately deploy recovery personnel.

KT previously demonstrated stable network quality by operating a W-SDN-based network during large-scale Gwanghwamun performances and major sporting events last March. Moving forward, the company plans to continuously improve the network quality experienced by customers by expanding the application of AI analysis and control functions.

Jeong Seon-il, Head of KT’s Network Operations Innovation Division (Senior Vice President), stated, “We plan to provide seamless communication services through W-SDN technology at the Gwanghwamun Square cheering event, where the hopes of the entire nation converge.” He added, “We will continue to advance our intelligent automatic control technology to continuously improve perceived network quality even in environments with heavy traffic.”