HTC VIVE and e& unveil metaverse partnership

UAE e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group) has partnered with HTC VIVA to develop the company’s metaverse solutions using the VIVERSE technology. The partnership was signed at Gitex 2022 as e& strives to meet its ambitious plans to elevate the customer experience through innovative experiences.

e& universe’s debut at GITEX 2022 will have two demonstrations. Firstly, e& universe will allow visitors at the event and people at home to explore the exhibition virtually, at the same time log in from a wide range of devices including VR, PCs and smartphones via a browser. 3D models of the venue are built in e& universe for people to enjoy and interact virtually through their screens.

In addition to offering multiple opportunities to visit the exhibition virtually, e& is showcasing how stylish personal spaces in the metaverse can be. e& universe’s personal spaces can be customised with artwork, and users can gather together to watch sports or films, as well as host social events. VIVERSE’s technology means it’s easy to create immersive social experiences which can run on a wide range of devices, with impressive graphics, and having privacy and security in mind.

Khaled ElKouly, Chief Consumer Officer, etisalat by e& stated,“The recent launch of e& universe at GITEX Global 2022 presents a massive step towards the bright digital future that we envisage for people, the communities and the world. e& is not only showcasing the latest technological innovations but is also creating an incredible immersive and innovative experience through e& universe, a first of its kind venture in the region. The move to the metaverse is a start of a remarkable journey into the next digital frontier for the Group as it seeks to do things differently, develop and launch technology solutions that will empower customers and businesses so as to offer heightened interactive experiences.

ElKouly believes that with the metaverse the opportunities for engaging with customers and fuelling their experiences are endless.

Joseph Lin, General Manager of VIVERSE, added, “Our work with e& is hugely exciting, delivering consumers with new worlds filled with immersive experiences. Through our collaboration with e&, our aim is to unleash peoples’ imaginations, helping them to enjoy new worlds, get work done in more engaging ways, learn, and relax. This is just the beginning and with e&, we can’t wait to show you the amazing experiences that are coming next in e& universe.” ITP.net