At the forefront of the digital revolution, the Metaverse is a space that merges physical and digital reality, allowing users to interact as customisable avatars. With origins found in the Neal Stephenson’s science fiction, the Metaverse redefines the Internet as a persistent universe. This is where Telefónica stands out, providing it with 5G services, augmented and virtual reality, connectivity and innovative solutions.
Telefónica has positioned itself as a key player in the Metaverse by integrating services that offer a complete user experience. Avatars, the digital representations of users, are the gateway to this virtual universe, allowing them to explore and participate in a shared and constantly evolving environment.
The Metaverse, driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and web3, represents an interconnected digital ecosystem. In this exciting new world, Telefónica acts as a crucial enabler, bringing together physical and virtual reality to deliver immersive experiences and end-to-end connectivity.
What is the Metaverse? Origin and meaning of the word
The Metaverse is a collective and persistent digital universe, a coexistence between physical reality and digital virtuality. This concept, popularised in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 science fiction novel “Snow Crash”, refers to a three-dimensional environment where people can socialise, work, learn and participate in different activities, overcoming the barriers of the physical world.
Telefónica, aware of the importance of this digital evolution, has integrated its services into the Metaverse, providing 5G connectivity, augmented and virtual reality, as well as innovative solutions, to offer users a complete and connected experience in this expanding digital universe.
How does Metaverse work?
The Metaverse concept goes beyond a simple platform or brand; it is an ever-expanding digital universe, with companies such as Meta or Microsoft exploring and developing their own visions of this virtual environment.
In terms of utility, the Metaverse serves as a shared space that transcends geographical limitations and enables global collaboration. In it, people can socialise, work, attend events or conduct business transactions, all in a virtual environment. In the current vision of the Metaverse, new opportunities are expected for both individuals and companies in terms of connection, growth and development.
How you enter the Metaverse and what platforms are available?
Despite the increasing accessibility of the Metaverse, the way to enter this virtual world may vary from platform to platform. In some game Metaverse supports, you just have to be a guest user and use a computer or smartphone, although deeper participation often requires a computer. Other platforms require the use of augmented reality glasses or a virtual reality (VR) glass.
Entering the Metaverse depends not only on the hardware, but also on the specific platform. Certain Metaverse platforms require the use of a Virtual Reality glasses, which integrates tracking cameras, graphics card and storage to process the 3D environments.
Currently, there are multiple Metaverse platforms with different approaches and characteristics, each with its own infrastructure and access requirements. Some of the most prominent include gaming-centric experiences, social experiences or enterprise applications. The range of options gives users the possibility to choose the platform that best suits their preferences.
Telefónica in the Metaverse
Telefónica, with the Metaverse revolution at hand, has drawn up a solid strategy to position its presence in this new digital ecosystem. Recognising the importance of Web3, “tokenomics”, AR/VR, NFTs and cryptocurrencies, the company has embarked on evolving its interfaces to offer more immersive and human experiences.
The company sees the Metaverse not only as a technological opportunity, but also as a way to improve human connections, connecting people’s lives in more comprehensively.
Movistar Experiencia Inmersiva, the application for Meta Quest devices in collaboration with Unity, offers users the opportunity to explore a virtual world with exclusive Movistar Plus+ content.
With the ability to interact, customise and create a secure environment, the application allows you to explore series sets, sporting events and more. Even those who are not Movistar customers can enjoy the experience with the Meta Quest glasses.
At the heart of Telefónica’s preparation for the Metaverse are three fundamental pillars.
- Edge computing, which enables efficient and secure data processing.
- Low Latency Technologies, which ensure stable and delay-free connectivity through fibre optic deployments and advanced wireless networks.
- Programmable Networks, which are open to programming through standardised APIs, facilitating interoperability in this new digital environment.
Telefónica is demonstrating its commitment to technology transformation and the Metaverse by creating virtual innovation spaces, collaborating with industry leaders such as Meta and Microsoft.
Labs such as the Virtual Innovation Hub and the XR Experience Center enable the co-creation and end-to-end testing of Metaverse technologies. These initiatives, backed by Telefónica’s expertise and partner ecosystem, define its position at the forefront of the next digital era and promote the exploration of new businesses and experiences in this fascinating three-dimensional and immersive space.
