For July’s Tour de France 2022 tournament, veteran telecoms partner Orange is teaming with augmented reality (AR) hardware vendor Nreal to enhance the event for modern audiences.
AR software developers Immmersive.IO and MATSUKO are also joining the effort to assist Orange with its 23rd year supporting the major sporting event.
Orange and partners designed the Augmented Race 2022 experience to bring the event into the home of individuals.
Viewers equipped with Nreal smart glasses, such as the Air device, which the firm recently debuted in the UK, can view AR visualisations of the French region to discover cyclist checkpoints and positions.
Additionally, the Director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme, presents the Augmented Race 2022 immersive experience via a digital avatar, powered by Immmersive.IO and MATSUKO technology.
The digital experience is available between July 1 to 24 for the Tour de France event. Orange is extending its coverage to continue into July 24 to 31 for the Women’s Tour de France, and is partnering with Zwift to power the experience for the latter event.
5G-Powered Immersion
The augmented instalment uses robust 5G/4G/3G networks to transmit data across the region to viewers at home.
Orange installed 4G mobile relays in 46 stopover towns, with an additional 10 locations gaining 5G networks, including Dunkirk, Calais, Lille, Longwy, Tomblaine, Briançon, and Mende.
The event coverage enables Orange to build its telecommunications presence across the region, including 637 municipalities, to become 4G ready and a further 457 ready for fibre optics.
Additionally, according to Orange, the company’s technicians overcame various struggles to transmit the immersive experience.
To combat issues arising from the deployment of its tailor-made communication devices, the team committed to multiple fixes, such as a temporary Hertzian relay and a reinforced 4G and 5G installation at the top of Col du Granon.
The news comes after US telecommunications firm Verizon also began using sporting events to expand its 5G network reach.
Last year, Verizon invested $80 million into 5G networks in Tampa, Florida, allowing individuals to gain reduced latency connections near the Raymond James Stadium.
The investment comes amidst a contract signing between Verizon and the NFL that secures the telecoms firm with a 10-year deal to guarantee AR opportunities for advertising and outreach tools at NFL events.
