HKT launches Hong Kong’s first 5G Tech Carnival

Business owners, industry watchers and tech-minded visitors are set to gather at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal from June 13-16 for the inaugural 5G Tech Carnival, presented by HKT.

Comprising a thought-leadership conference, a futuristic exhibition and an accompanying pop concert, the event aims to showcase the breadth of technological innovation and upcoming possibilities heralded by the arrival of super-fast 5G technology.

Referring to the ‘fifth generation’ of cellular technology, 5G enables upload and download speeds of between 10 and 1,000 times faster than the current 4G standards, while also virtually eliminating signal latency (lag between signal being sent and returned) and preventing network overload in crowded locations. With such profound implications for creating highly connected ‘smart’ cities, the international scramble to implement 5G has become known as the ‘5G race’, with many countries in Asia, including China, Singapore and South Korea, leading the charge.

Alongside tangible demonstrations of 5G technology, visitors to the HKT 5G Tech Carnival can explore various emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, data analytics and robotics, and discover the tangible benefits such technologies can bring to business.

Taking centre-stage throughout the opening two days of the carnival is a thought leadership conference, which aims to explore trends and foster innovation. The conference features a wide range of talks from prominent industry leaders, influencers, manufacturers and technology providers.

The main exhibition spans 101,000 sq ft, spread over two storeys, and is divided into seven core themes. Zone 1, 5G Technology and Experience, allows visitors to try 5G speed first-hand through various devices and applications, including a VR theatre and real-time 360-degree broadcasting. Zone 2, Smart City, introduces smart streetscapes featuring smart kiosks, smart recycling bins and smart lamp posts laden with sensors.

Visitors can experience the disruptive technologies being harnessed to change the way we live and do business in The Enterprise Solutions zone, while the FinTech zone displays a comprehensive range of modern FinTech solutions, such as mobile payment and electronic payment for SMEs. The Global Network zone, hosted by HKT’s international arm PCCW, examines how the Internet and the cloud are connecting Hong Kong with the rest of the world, and vice versa.

Zone 5, the Revolutionizing Shopping & Leisure Ecosystem zone, highlights the myriad ways online marketplaces, shopping, travel consultation and entertainment will be altered by the dawn of the 5G era. The Mobile Solutions zone brings forward the latest 5G smartphones and other flagship 5G devices, while the Smart Living zone showcases an innovative smart home setup, featuring automated lighting, curtains, and appliances that can react to facial recognition or body movement. The Smart Living zone also features Hong Kong’s first fully-automated diabetic retinopathy screening platform, as an bellwether for the societal health benefits advanced technologies promise.

The carnival is bolstered by an array of interactive exhibits, including smart parking, a cinematic VR experience and VR game arena. The csl eSports arena hosts a Mobile eSports Tournament on Sunday June 16, with some 250 mobile eSports players competing for cash and prizes worth up to HK$100,000.

A futuristic concert stage plays host to the flagship 5G Tech Concert on Saturday June 15, featuring visually arresting performances from local stars Kay Tse, Louis Cheung, MIRROR and Andy Leung with DJ King from King C Allstar.

With 5G technology evolving and emerging at frenetic pace, it’s clear that Hong Kong’s digital landscape is about to change drastically. The HKT 5G Tech Carnival is the first time many public visitors will get up-close and hands-on with these technologies of the future, and is likely to prove a milestone for the city’s digital development, as well as society’s collective shift towards embracing it.