How Optus is exploring 5G opportunities in the metaverse

Due to the fast speeds of 5G and the latency it has, the technology delivers new opportunities for users in the metaverse. 

Lucio Ribeiro, director of technology, innovation and activation at Optus spoke to Digital Nation Australia on the future Web3 innovations its 5G network can bring to customers.

Ribeiro’s role is to look over the horizon to technologies that will provide opportunities for new revenue and new products for the telco.

He said interest in the metaverse continues to grow and before 5G there wasn’t the infrastructure to help support that technology.

The infrastructure doesn’t mean 5G connectivity but also computer power, AR and VR functionality in devices like mobile phones, Ribeiro said.

“But primarily 5G connectivity because of the speed, the latency in terms of response, the capability in terms of enlarging the bandwidth and also the reliability,” Ribeiro explained.

Optus partnered with the Art Gallery of NSW to create a virtual reality, metaverse experience powered by 5G. The VR experience showcases Indigenous artist Dr Christian Thompson who is helping to preserve a lost Indigenous language.

Ribeiro said the idea was to document Dr Thompson's language to build a legacy. He did this by writing a song that was complimented by a VR experience.

The art gallery partnered with Optus to install 5G, Ribeiro said.

He said, “We wanted to bring together our tech innovation. It's a proof of concept, the idea is can we build connectivity around virtual reality devices. Can these devices be portable and be used in different places?

“This is the beginning of proof of concept and it can grow into a product for us,” he explained. 

Art Gallery of NSW director Michael Brand said Optus 5G technology will allow visitors to unlock enhanced experiences at the expanded Art Gallery. 

He said, “The 5G technology provided by Optus means we are no longer just a physical space. Visitors will be able to use their devices to enhance their journey throughout the museum. This is the beginning of what we can achieve together over the next few years as technology and innovation meld with our delivery of the best art experiences in Australia.”