Holographic telephony: A 2026 vision by Telefónica/O2
Germany's O2, a subsidiary of Telefónica, gears up for the market launch of holographic phone calls as early as 2026. This ambitious plan, announced by O2's Head of Technology, Mallik Rao, envisions the integration of holographic technology into the company's infrastructure, followed by rigorous testing and optimization.
O2's demonstration of holographic telephony took place at their Munich campus on the occasion of the network's 25th anniversary celebration. The event was graced by Bavaria's state leader Markus Söder (CSU), who shared a mixed experience with the new technology. While voicing concerns about video chats' superiority, Söder acknowledged the potential benefits in media applications.
Industry collaborations pave the way for cross-network holography
Famous telecom giants, including Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Orange, and Matsuko, have teamed up to create standards for holographic connections across networks. By pooling their resources, these companies aim to establish a universal holographic communication environment, allowing users to engage in 3D conversations across various providers.
Emerging technologies and 5G pave the way for holographic advancements
The 5G standard, coupled with advancements in virtual reality (VR) and holographic software, is creating a promising foundation for implementing holographic telephony. While VR glasses are currently required for optimal 3D experience, industry experts predict decreasing costs and progressively improved technology.
Bitkom highlights opportunities and challenges in consumer holography
The digital association Bitkom is bullish on holography's potential, seeing it as a game-changer in the realm of professional and personal collaboration. The technology has the power to bridge geographical gaps, invigorate communication, and enhance emotional engagement through facial expressions and gestures. However, the high cost and specialized equipment required for full 3D experiences pose challenges that manufacturers are working diligently to overcome.
The future of holography: Star Trek-like imagery remains a dream
Despite rapid advancements, achieving the holographic 'Star Trek' image quality remains a distant dream, according to O2's Innovation Manager, Karsten Erlebach. Erlebach mentions that although progress in creating flicker-free, transparent three-dimensional images has been made, holography for day-to-day conversations will not rely on such structures due to their high cost and impracticality.
Extra insights:
As the holographic telephony market develops, major telecom companies are pursuing groundbreaking applications to capitalize on the growing interest in holographic technology:
- Holographic Advertising Network:
- Holographic Media Network (HMN) and Proto Hologram have collaborated to launch the world's first ever always-on holographic advertising network, aiming to transform shopping malls by offering interactive, 3D advertising experiences for consumers[2].
- AI and 5G Integration:
- AsiaInfo Technologies is actively promoting the integration of AI and 5G networks through their participation in the AI-RAN Alliance. By optimizing connectivity, sensing, computing, and intelligence, they plan to improve user experience, boost performance, and reduce power consumption[5].
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