Holographic conversations, where you can see the person you're chatting with as a three-dimensional image, are expected to hit the market by 2026, according to Telefónica, a leading telecommunications provider. Mallik Rao, Head of Technology at Telefónica Deutschland, revealed this during a meeting with the German Press Agency in Munich. He highlighted a two to three-year timeline for market readiness, with the technology being integrated into their system and thoroughly tested before its launch. Telefónica intends to start with corporate clients and later expand to the general public.
The company, currently conducting holography tests on its Munich campus, has been working alongside other telecommunications industry giants like Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone to establish standards for various network connections. This joint effort aims to enable holography across networks, not just within a single network.
Rao reported that the company has successfully conducted holographic conferences and is making progress but emphasized the ongoing need to further develop the technology. The 5G wireless standard is essential for holography, although it's possible with a fixed fiber optic network as well.
With Telefónica and Deutsche Telekom leading the charge, holography has the potential to revolutionize communications, especially in a professional context, according to the digital association Bitkom. Holograms can create a sense of physical presence, despite the caller being in a different location.
Although VR glasses are required for a strong 3D effect, suppliers like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple continue to improve upon quality and decrease costs due to technological advancements. Despite not yet achieving the 'Star Trek' or 'Star Wars'-style holograms seen in science fiction films, these advancements in communications technology promise an exciting future for holographic telephony.
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