It’s difficult to avoid the term “Metaverse” these days. You might have already been in a metaverse if you’ve ever played online games like Minecraft, Fortnite or Pokémon Go.

Before diving deep into why 5G is a critical enabler for the Metaverse, let’s try to understand what a Metaverse actually is and explore some real-world use cases of 5G Metaverse.

It was Neal Stephenson, who first coined the term in his 1992 novel “Snow Crash”. For many years, it remained buried deep under the snow until Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that a virtual reality (VR) driven metaverse would be the next big thing. So big, that Facebook rebranded itself as ‘Meta’.

The metaverse, as some of you may know, is a collection or network of 3D virtual worlds designed to foster social interaction. Users can engage with each other in the metaverse via their digital avatars using advanced human-computer interaction hardware (e.g., Augmented Reality-Virtual Reality [AR-VR] headsets) and software.

While the metaverse itself can be an infinite digital and social space, the augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices that 'port' us into it must be connected to a 5G network for wireless connectivity. Let’s thus explore metaverse use cases, where you can expect the wireless metaverse to take shape.

Metaverse: Use Cases

The next big thing: Industrial Metaverse

A rich immersive 3D environment that can be easily accessed via a smartphone, iPad or VR headset will soon gain traction in industrial metaverse space, fostering more meaningful collaboration and user-friendly experiences. Consider sales and marketing, on-site training and maintenance all being conducted remotely.

Though most of these applications will use mixed reality, merging both the real and virtual worlds, many users will be able to access the same data at the same time and interact with each other virtually.

Connectivity issues can be tackled by technologies such as 5G and high-speed satellite links which deliver the required bandwidth for industrial or remote application purposes. The coming years will see all of these technologies mature and being used in more and more industrial use cases.

Gaming

The gaming industry has made some big strides in recent years, and the metaverse takes gaming to a whole new level, making the virtual world incredibly immersive and real for users. To gamers, metaverse is a virtual place where they can compete while also interacting with their friends.

The emergence of Web 3.0 gaming platforms like GameFi, is moving gaming away from closed data servers and toward blockchain networks, where anyone can participate and be rewarded for their efforts. Gaming, according to experts, will soon dominate AR-VR investments and drive the metaverse’s growth.

A gaming VR headset needs stringent network requirements like low latency, high reliability and high bandwidth. The sensors and display screen in the VR helmet require these features to react in real-time to the slightest movements of the gamer’s head, or even the entire body. A holistic 5G network can truly outdo the current mobile and connectivity experience in this regard.

With its speed and low latency, most of the processing can be done in the cloud. This will allow VR headsets to be set free from cords and produce real tactical experiences where gamers can receive haptic feedback without any time lag.

Media and Entertainment

Another important sector with a plethora of options to explore the use case of 5G in the metaverse is that of media and entertainment.

In order to enter the virtual world in modern times, all you need is an AR-VR headset and a powerful computer. You can attend virtual concerts, visit virtual theme parks, place bets on sports, and so on, just like in the real world. The next step is to get rid of the wireand the computer and enjoy new forms of entertainment, which is what metaverse is all about.

Furthermore, It will also evolve into the next stage in story interaction with fully participative immersion cinema, in which we will effectively ‘be’ in a movie.

Virtual Tourism

Tourism and hospitality is one such industry that can significantly benefit from the metaverse. Customer preferences are constantly changing, which keeps players in the hospitality industry on their toes for constant upgrades in their services and facilities. Whether it’s seamless booking processes or a unique stay experience, customers nowadays demand more personalized and optimized services.

Metaverse will allow customers to take a 3D virtual hotel tour and explore a hotel’s location and interior they are considering a stay in via VR platforms and headsets before booking the hotel room.

Furthermore, with virtual tours, even people who would otherwise be unable to travel due to physical limitations or other factors would be able to travel around the world.

Conclusion

The aforementioned use cases of 5G in Metaverse give us a broad understanding of what Metaverse is, and how it will open up new doors that have never been heard of or imagined before for businesses and enterprises.

Soon, Metaverse will become an immense part of our daily life. With early prototypes of Metaverse already under experimentation across various sectors, it’s time for enterprises to take the next step and integrate Metaverse technology into their business.

FAQs

Fifth-generation wireless (5G) is the latest iteration of cellular technology, engineered to significantly improve the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks.

The theoretical maximum speed of 5G is around 20 Gbps, which is significantly faster than 4G's theoretical maximum of 1 Gbps. However, actual speeds depend on factors such as network coverage, device compatibility, and network congestion.

What is metaverse?

The metaverse is a virtual world where people can interact with each other and digital objects in a three-dimensional space, just like in real life. It is like a combination of a video game, a social network, and a virtual reality experience all rolled into one.

In the metaverse, you can create an avatar, which is a digital representation of yourself, and explore different environments, such as cities, landscapes, and even other planets. You can meet and communicate with other people from all around the world, attend events, participate in games, and buy and sell digital assets.

Think of it as a massive online playground where you can be whoever you want to be and do whatever you want to do. It's like a second life that exists entirely in the digital realm. The metaverse is still in its early stages, but many believe it has the potential to change the way we live, work, and interact with each other in the future.

How are 5G and Metaverse interrelated?

For the metaverse to function efficiently, a high-speed internet connection with minimal delays is required. 5G is a cellular network generation that offers faster data transfer rates, decreased latency, and higher network capacity compared to prior generations, making it an optimal infrastructure for the metaverse.

The gaming industry is a primary use case for 5G, and it is anticipated to have a substantial influence on the metaverse. With 5G, gamers can enjoy low-latency gameplay, immersive virtual reality, and quicker downloads and updates. Additionally, the metaverse is expected to have far-reaching implications for other industries like education, healthcare, and entertainment. 5G can provide the essential infrastructure to support these applications, allowing users to access high-quality virtual experiences from anywhere in the world.

The combination of the metaverse and 5G has the potential to transform the way we interact with one another and our digital surroundings, providing novel prospects for entertainment, education, and commerce.

The deployment of 5G networks in the metaverse necessitates substantial investment in infrastructure, such as new base stations, fiber optic cables, and other equipment, posing a significant challenge to many countries, particularly those with inadequate connectivity.

To ensure data privacy and prevent cyber-attacks, 5G networks will demand new security measures. As the number of people using the metaverse via 5G networks grows, network congestion may pose a risk of service slowdowns or interruptions, necessitating network optimization technologies and traffic balancing by network providers.

The adoption of 5G technology may create a digital divide, with some individuals having access to high-speed networks while others are excluded, which could restrict the adoption of the metaverse and limit some individuals' ability to engage fully in its immersive experiences.