Post-Corona Era, 2nd Round of VR·AR Battle Among the Three Major Telecom Companies

Untact Spotlighted Due to COVID-19 Spread
Active Integration of VR·AR in Education, Games, Video Conferencing, and Entertainment
Over 50% Annual Growth Rate
Hardware and Software Investments Expected to Increase

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] In the post-COVID-19 era, the three major telecom companies are entering the 'second round' of fierce competition in 5G killer content, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). As the non-face-to-face (untact) industry gains popularity due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), services combining VR and AR are gradually becoming more advanced. The immersive content industry is expected to shine even more in the post-COVID-19 era because of its high compatibility with other industries such as online education, gaming, and entertainment. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the global immersive content market is expected to grow from 33 trillion won in 2017 to 411 trillion won by 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 52.6%.

Among the three telecom companies, LG Uplus is the most proactive in the VR and AR industry. On the 4th, LG Uplus announced that it will launch the ultra-lightweight 88g AR glasses, the first among the three telecom companies. AR glasses significantly complement the shortcomings of existing immersive content hardware devices, such as HMDs (Head Mounted Displays). While HMD devices have been criticized for being heavy, thick, uncomfortable, and hot to wear, the AR glasses released by LG Uplus allow users to see through transparent lenses like regular glasses and weigh only 88g, making them close to ultra-lightweight and enhancing convenience as an immersive experience device. Starting from the 8th of this month, LG Uplus will provide opportunities to directly experience the AR glasses 'Enreal Light' at 24 stores nationwide.

SK Telecom is promoting various industries based on immersive content, including Jump VR, Eco Museum, and Jump Studio. In particular, the mixed reality production studio 'Jump Studio,' which began operations at the end of April, produced the 3D mixed reality performance for the Super Junior concert held online due to the spread of COVID-19. 'Jump Studio' plans to continuously secure mixed reality content and significantly increase the variety of attractions. Using Microsoft's Volumetric Video Capture technology, it implements dynamic human movements as hologram videos, and with SK Telecom's 'T Real Platform' spatial recognition and rendering technology, it creates content where holograms and real spaces blend naturally. By automating a significant portion of the manual processes in existing 3D modeling work through AI, cloud, 3D processing, and rendering technologies, it can drastically reduce content production costs and time.

KT is attempting to combine immersive media technology with educational content. Last month, KT signed a business agreement with Cheonjae Education to develop immersive educational services based on VR and AR. KT will oversee the development of educational platforms and solutions using VR and AR, while Cheonjae Education will plan curricula and develop learning content. This service will initially be provided through KT Super VR, and the two companies plan to develop and provide optimized educational content for schools and public institutions in the future, aiming to activate the B2B market in the online education sector. Kim Hoon-bae, Executive Vice President and Head of KT Customer Business Division, said, "With the cooperation with Cheonjae Education as a starting point, KT will continue to lead in providing innovative educational services and environments that overcome the limitations of non-face-to-face through immersive media technology and services."