Emirates Telecommunications Launches Its Metaverse Platform for Audience

Emirates Telecommunications Group Company, known as e&, launched “e& universe”, the first metaverse in the region to offer immersive experiences for its audience.

e& universe will take its visitors to exclusive zones with unique avatars with the aim of updating them with the latest technologies and positioning itself as the best destination for entertainment and live virtual events in the region. The metaverse platform had been conceptualized in cooperation with HTC at GITEX last year in line with the UAE’s Metaverse strategy, according to Zawya.

In the e& universe Virtual Home, users can create and personalize their virtual spaces and decorate them with digital collectibles (NFTs) in addition to inviting their friends there. While in the e& universe Arena & Stadium, sports events, concerts, and conferences will be held.

In this regard, General Manager of VIVERSE Joseph Lin said: “e& universe, powered by HTC’s VIVERSE technology, is revolutionising immersive social experiences, taking them to unprecedented heights. These remarkable new features we’ve developed for e& underscore its unwavering commitment to pioneering innovative ways for people to relish content and forge meaningful connections with one another.

The metaverse is expected to contribute $15 billion to the economies of the Gulf countries by 2030 given that their governments are tapping into the virtual space, according to a study by Strategy&, a management consulting company.

Saudi Arabia topped the GCC countries in terms of metaverse contributions, as it is predicted to account for $7.6 billion by 2030 (more than half of the figure. While the UAE came second with an expected share of $3.3 billion. The predicted figures reflect the two countries’ tremendous efforts to deploy the usage of the metaverse in their respective national program, the report noted.