Communication World Network News (CWW) As domestic and foreign companies such as Meta, ByteDance, etc. have deployed the Metaverse, research institutions believe that the Metaverse will lead the next generation of digital ecology, not only will subvert the user experience of personal social networking, games, videos, etc., At the same time, it will also bring new technological innovation models to manufacturing, real estate, automobiles, retail, and government. Therefore, under the wave of "metaverse", the layout of operators will directly affect the future business development space.
Definition and Characteristics of "Metaverse"
As early as 1992, the term "Metaverse" appeared in the science fiction novel "Avalanche" written by Neal Stephenson, describing the virtual world parallel between the real world and the Internet. It can be said that this is "metaverse". The origin of the term "universe". With the continuous advancement of science and technology in human society, the metaverse has gradually emerged and has become the next generation of network waves. Therefore, Metaverse can be understood as driven by technological innovation, which integrates VR, AR, MR, 5G, AI, cloud computing, edge computing, digital twin, content, chips, big data, blockchain and other leading technology elements. The intelligent world of "virtual and real integration, digital integration of intelligence, and interaction and integration" is a brand-new digital economic ecosystem.
Features of the "Metaverse"
One is cross-domain integration. Metaverse is not only a fusion of leading technologies in multiple fields such as virtual reality, augmented reality, 5G, blockchain, cloud computing, and digital twins, but also a fusion of the virtual and digital world and the physical world. Technology can virtualize "digital people" for live broadcast.
The second is multidimensional. Metaverse relies on leading technologies such as digital twin to realize the leap from two-dimensional to three-dimensional and even multi-dimensional. It can be said to be a full simulation of the real world, from traditional plane vision to richer senses, bringing users an immersive digital experience. For example, through VR/AR, tactile gloves and clothes that may appear in the future, and even external devices such as brain-computer interfaces, users will gain 3D vision, touch, smell, taste, and even "five senses and six senses" and other experiences, allowing users to experience the virtual world Experience the feeling of being infinitely close to the real world.
The third is content digitization. The metaverse is the fusion of the physical world and the virtual world. It also digitizes the content of the physical world, and realizes the simulation and reproduction of the physical time in the virtual world through digitization. For example, a smart factory can rely on technologies such as digital twin and VR to digitize the entire process of production and transform it into a virtual factory. The virtual factory can accurately simulate the status of each production line in real time, and achieve transparent and precise production.
Fourth, the value of digital assets. The digitization of content means that the virtual world will generate massive amounts of data, and the value of these data will gradually become explicit and capitalized. The real world will gradually realize the digitalization of assets. For example, Bitcoin is a blockchain-based virtual currency.
"Metaverse" Industry Chain Analysis
As shown in Figure 1, the Metaverse industry chain can be divided into four layers, namely the technology layer, the network layer, the device layer, and the application layer.
The first is the technical layer, which mainly supports related companies that provide the underlying technical capabilities of the metaverse such as digital twins, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. There are mainly companies in China such as Vision China, Huawei, iFLYTEK, and Arcsoft Technology.
The second is the network layer, which mainly provides high-bandwidth, low-latency, high-security and other network transmission capabilities to ensure users’ perception of the metaverse experience. Currently, there are mainly telecom operators such as China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom.
The third is the equipment layer, which provides VR/AR, smart wearable and other equipment required by the Metaverse. At present, there are mainly smart equipment providers such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Goertek, and Pico in China.
The fourth is the application layer, which mainly provides metaverse content and applications for individuals and government and enterprise users, such as Shanda, Tencent, NetEase and other personal-oriented game manufacturers, China Telecom, China Mobile and other government-oriented enterprises that can provide simulation virtual solution providers, and Digital government, Huawei, Ali and other smart city providers.
Three Advantages of Operators Deploying "Metaverse"
First, operators have network advantages. Metaverse requires the network to have the characteristics of low latency, high stability, and high security. The operator has a wide coverage of 4G/5G and other mobile data networks and broadband networks, especially 5G and Gigabit networks, with high speed and low latency. Features such as wide coverage, Internet of Everything, and high security have laid a network foundation for operators to deploy Metaverse services for cross-domain and cross-device interconnection.
Second, operators enjoy business and technical advantages. Metaverse business involves the technical requirements of the whole industry chain such as "device-pipe-cloud-content", and operators have already transformed from traditional voice, traffic and other services to content, terminal, cloud, Internet of Things and other full services, and have big data, Advanced technology advantages in AI, Internet of Things, cloud computing and other fields. For example, China Mobile's Suzhou R&D Center is deeply involved in cloud computing technology, laying a technical foundation for the cloud storage and edge computing required for the development of the Metaverse. The terminal company has the research and development capabilities of VR, AR and other smart devices required for the development of the Metaverse. The Goo company has a strong content foundation such as "video, games, animation, music, reading", and the Internet of Things company provides Internet of Things technical support for cross-device interconnection. Of course, the business and industrial layout of China Telecom and China Unicom are also similar. Therefore, the operator's efforts in the Metaverse can be said to have "everything ready", just waiting for the Metaverse Dongfeng to "blow" the operator's layout "desire".
Third, operators have user advantages. The "Economic Operation of the Communication Industry from January to July 2022" released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shows that as of July 2022, the three major operators have 1.667 billion mobile users, including 475 million 5G mobile terminal connections and 475 million broadband users. 566 million, including 65.7 million gigabit broadband users and 368 million IPTV (Internet TV) users. It can be seen that operators have a huge user base, involving individuals, families, enterprises and other global users, which lays a user foundation for operators to deploy Metaverse services.
Suggestions for Operators Layout "Metaverse"
Relying on network advantages to empower emerging companies in Metaverse
Metaverse needs to open up the connection between the physical world and the digital virtual world. Without efficient connection and massive data storage and processing capabilities, the Metaverse business will not be able to develop, and this will also bring new business opportunities for operators.
Operators leverage their basic network and technological advantages such as 5G premium network, gigabit broadband network, enterprise private line, IDC, and cloud computing to create an integrated computing network service system that integrates cloud and network, so as to provide "computing" for upstream and downstream enterprises of Metaverse. Lizhuan Network + Cloud Computing" service, to meet the needs of Metaverse enterprises for "one-point intervention, flexible scheduling, safety and efficiency, and multi-scenario linkage". On the one hand, according to the cross-region, cross-level, cross-device, and cross-scenario connection requirements of Metaverse, relying on 5G+gigabit bandwidth, it provides high-speed, low-latency, secure, and wide-coverage connection networks for Metaverse industry chain enterprises. On the other hand, relying on the operator's nationwide data center to build cloud storage and big data capabilities, provide Metaverse enterprises with massive data storage space and safe and efficient big data processing capabilities. For example, in combination with the VR and AR industry chain's "virtual-real connection" requirements, it provides high-speed, low-latency, wide-coverage connection networks and cloud services to help enterprises break through many bottlenecks such as human-computer interaction and the intelligent connection of everything, and improve the service effectiveness of the VR industry chain.
Deploy "5G + Gigabit Broadband + Content + Equipment" to deeply cultivate the needs of the personal metaverse
It is predicted that personal demand for VR/AR will be the "first wave" of commercial realization of the Metaverse. For operators, the wide coverage, high speed, and low latency of 5G networks provide a network foundation for the development of VR/AR services. Therefore, VR/AR will be the "killer" application that operators focus on in the "5G + Metaverse" era and have huge profit potential. However, operators still have to use their own advantages. Selling VR equipment is not the main income of communication, and should adopt the package form of "5G + Gigabit broadband + content + equipment". On the one hand, leveraging the advantages of existing networks and content distribution, focusing on individual user needs (such as games), deploying VR games, and providing users with "VR equipment + game applications", this will be a new direction for VR entertainment. On the other hand, leveraging on the advantages of gigabit broadband and existing IPTV and OTT TV user bases, we will deploy the "living room economy", and create scenarios such as "VR live broadcast" and "VR home theater line" to provide users with an immersive experience.
Relying on "5G + Industrial Internet" to build "Metaverse Virtual Factory"
The "14th Five-Year Plan" proposes to build several international-level industrial Internet platforms and digital transformation promotion centers in key industries and regions. This means that the development of the Industrial Internet will be an important direction during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, and government and enterprise customers are important customers of operators. With the rise of the Metaverse, operators rely on the "5G+Industrial Internet" capabilities, combined with technologies such as sensors, network connections, artificial intelligence, and digital twins, to create "Metaverse Virtual Factory" solutions for traditional manufacturing factories such as coal and textiles. By building a virtual factory that is almost the same as the real factory, it realizes all elements of production resources and a comprehensive connection across the industry chain, transforms the organization and form of traditional factories, reduces the defect rate, and improves the efficiency of resource use.
