The innovative South Korean telco was quick out of the traps with the development and commercial launch of its own extended reality (XR) platform in its domestic market last year and is now aiming to become the key partner for other telcos that have been slower off the mark with their own metaverse research and development but want to start offering and monetizing XR services as soon as possible.
SK Telecom (SKT) launched its ifland metaverse platform in South Korea in July 2021 and by the end of June this year was attracting 1.63 million monthly active users, while the user software needed to experience the service had been downloaded by 8.7 million people.
SKT has teamed up with regional communications networking powerhouse e& (formerly known as Etisalat) to “jointly promote the metaverse business” in Middle East markets where e& has operations, namely the UAE and Saudi Arabia. e& will provide SKT with insights on customers, business model development and service offerings. SKT will develop a metaverse service optimally designed to fit the needs of its customers in the Middle East by fully leveraging its expertise acquired through successful operation of its metaverse service in Korea. In particular, SKT will localize the service by creating iconic landmarks and cities of the UAE within the metaverse, as well as developing special avatars and digital fashion clothing such as traditional costumes that reflect the Middle Eastern culture.