GSMA Open Gateway unlocks mobile network capabilities for developers

A new collaboration between the world's leading mobile operators will accelerate innovation across industries from finance and retail to transportation, healthcare, and beyond. The GSMA Open Gateway initiative provides developers simplified access to core network capabilities via open application programming interfaces (APIs).

Initially focused on security, new APIs for number verification and SIM swap detection are being implemented by operator groups across 42 countries so far....

23 February 2024 | 5G

SK Telecom secures new ‘ifland’ metaverse partnerships

SK Telecom (SKT) has announced partnerships with three leading tech companies in Southeast Asia to boost the global expansion of its metaverse platform “ifland”.

SKT signed agreements with Malaysia’s largest mobile carrier CelcomDigi, Indonesian game publisher Agate, and Phillipines-based electronics brand Cosmic Technologies.

The partnerships will allow SKT to provide localised content and marketing for ifland in the three countries. In return, the partners gain...

27 November 2023 | Operators

FCC opens 6 GHz band for low-power AR/VR devices

The FCC will allow low-power wearable technology, including AR and VR devices, to access the 6 GHz frequency band without the need for a license. This decision comes amidst a surge in mixed reality devices flooding the market.

The FCC's announcement enables low-power devices to use the 6 GHz band, offering faster speeds, enhanced bandwidth, and lower latency. According to the FCC, this decision will stimulate economic growth and enrich consumer experiences.

Leading tech...

20 October 2023 | Legislation & Government

Vodafone demos flying real drones in the metaverse over 5G

Vodafone has demonstrated how real-life drones can be piloted in the metaverse over a 5G network.

The low-latency aspect of 5G enables new use cases that were not possible over previous generation networks.

One early 5G application was cloud gaming. Longer-term, 5G combined with advancements in robotics will enable remote surgery when a patient isn’t expected to make it to a hospital or when a specialist is based elsewhere in the country (or even the...

20 February 2023 | 5G

Singtel partners with SK Telecom for its first metaverse event

Singtel has partnered with SK Telecom (SKT) to hold its first metaverse event.

The event, ‘Destination:ifland’, was held at the Singtel Comcentre in Singapore. Users were able to design their own digital avatars to take part in a range of activities.

Anna Yip, CEO, Consumer Singapore at Singtel, commented:

“The evolution of the internet is shifting towards a creator economy and immersive virtual worlds. This requires an ultra-low latency network with...

16 January 2023 | 5G

Huawei: Current infrastructure can’t support the metaverse

huawei metaverse web3 blockchain networks infrastructure telecoms

Huawei’s chief strategist in the Middle East believes that current infrastructure cannot support the metaverse.

Most current “metaverse” experiences are just online games capitalising on the hype around the term. Long term, the ambitious vision for the metaverse is a series of decentralised interoperable virtual worlds. 

True metaverse experiences will allow users to take their avatars and items from one to another, control real world devices, conduct...

21 December 2022 | 5G

SK Telecom and NTT DOCOMO establish metaverse, 6G partnership

SK Telecom (SKT) and NTT DOCOMO have established a partnership to improve their metaverse offerings and advance 6G research.

“The MOU has a significant meaning as it is a cooperation between the representative mobile operators of Korea and Japan,” said Ryu Young-sang, President & CEO of SKT.

“By working together with NTT DOCOMO in the area of future ICT, we will generate tangible results that drive global ICT innovation."

Both telcos already operate...

21 November 2022 | 6G

AT&T, Ericsson, and Wevr create groundbreaking 5G VR experience

AT&T, Ericsson, and Wevr have partnered up to create the first multi-user, location-based, virtual reality experience using 5G.

Today’s high-end VR experiences require physically tethering a headset to a powerful computer. This means the upfront entry cost is high while tethering limits the user’s freedom and enjoyment.

The partners demonstrated how to overcome these issues using the high speeds and low latency of 5G.

“5G offers the high peak rates...

29 October 2021 | 5G