Qatar builds cutting-edge fibre network system for FIFA World Cup 2022

With now less than 300 days to the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar is in full swing to provide its’ utmost excellence in every aspect concerned. Whether it’s in the field of architecture, innovation, technology, accommodation and so on. 

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) developed a state-of-the-art fibre network system. This will support live broadcasts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in a great way.

Fiber optic broadcast devices are designed to transmit high-quality audio and video data, and they are especially well-suited to the harsh environment of deployable applications, where fragile traditional fiber optic systems are prone to failure.

Live broadcasts during the @FIFAWorldCup will benefit from a state-of-the-art fibre network system built by the SC. #Qatar2022 https://t.co/mPaRLI24Ro

— SC News (@roadto2022news) February 21, 2022

Matches will be held across eight stadiums from 21 November to 18 December. To which, billions of fans across the globe will be spectating. Qatar’s high-speed fibre optic network was tested during the FIFA Arab Cup, that was organized in the last quarter of 2021 and included matches at six tournament venues.

Every stadium was linked to the International Broadcast Coordination Centre through the fibre optic network. This centre was situated next to Al Bayt stadium - that was the venue for the opening and final match, among other games.

Although this is the first time the Word Cup has come to the Middle East and Arab world, the SC’s Director of Digital Services & Innovation, Maryam Al Muftah stated that Qatar is extremely proud of being able to deliver the highest capacity broadcast contribution network in the history of FIFA tournaments.

Qatar’s fibre network is sustained by traditional satellite broadcasting competences to ensure media rights licensees are assured a constant signal.

AL Muftah further added that this technology has been already tested during the course of FIFA Arab Cup 2021. The finalization of the second leg is said to  get Lusail and Khalifa International stadiums into the network.

The 2021 FIFA Arab Cup was held between November 30th and December 18th, 2021, having Algeria defeat Tunisia 2-0 in an exciting  final in front of 60,456 fans, a record attendance for a football match in Qatar. Gravity Media was ecstatic to be a part of this test, warm-up competition ahead of the much-anticipated inaugural Arabic World Cup. 

Gravity Media provided the Local Organising Committee, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy with six Infotainment systems, which were permanently installed at all six FIFA Arab Cup venues around Qatar. A Simply Live Replay and Production Server, a Riedel Bolero Wireless Communications system, and a Blackmagic vision mixer, coupled with converters and glue, comprised the system.

By adding RF cameras, an audio system, and a Digital Talkback Matrix, the team was able to integrate the historical system with an overlay system to meet specific operational requirements.

Furthermore, in the renowned Al-Bayt Stadium, where the final was held, the squad deployed one of their unique flypacks incorporating cutting-edge technology. Their light-weight broadcast flypacks, which include state-of-the-art visual mixers, routers, and servers, as well as sophisticated communication systems, are designed to be brought to any location in the world to transmit live feeds from the world's largest live events to every corner of the globe.

On completion, the network will also link team base camps and external broadcasting sites. During the FIFA World Cup, all-tournament sites and other broadcast locations will send video feeds to the International Broadcast Centre prior to being sent world over.

Al Muftah mentioned that at the end of the day, what matters most is the smooth and efficient delivery of all the matches throughout the world as well as for people to learn more about Qatar and the nation by way of this spectacular sporting event. Hence, there’s all the more reason and mission to deliver a higher network efficiency to meet the same.

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Source Credit: Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy

Cover Image and Inline Image credit: Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy