AR-based holographic calling solution; commercialization and service form are undecided.

SK Telecom announced that it will showcase a new concept communication technology called 'Tele-presence' at MWC 2017 starting on the 27th.

SK Telecom unveiled telepresence and AR technologies through the 'NEW ICT Forum' at the Samhwa Building press room on the 22nd, ahead of the MWC 2017 reveal.



▲ SK Telecom employees 'TelephDemonstrating 'Resence'

'Telepresence,' which is attracting attention as a service for the 5G era, is an AR (Augmented Reality) based holographic calling solution that allows remote meeting participants to feel as if they are actually in the same room.

Telepresence technology enables telemedicine. Medical staff and patients located far apart can collaborate while viewing the patient's condition as 3D data. Additionally, real-time discussions can be held while viewing the interior and exterior structures of a car rendered in 3D, without having to visit the factory in person.

It was reported that since telepresence implementation is possible with current technology, the specific timing was not disclosed, but commercialization would occur before the commercialization of 5G.

As a result of continuing research on AR/VR technology since 2012, SK Telecom succeeded in showcasing an innovative service called 'T-AR for Tango' at Google I/O in 2015. We demonstrated a solution that can analyze and recognize space and display virtual content by combining our company's developed augmented reality platform, 'T-AR,' with a 'Tango' terminal capable of 3D spatial recognition.

SK Telecom is partnering with the public educational broadcaster EBS to develop immersive educational services utilizing MR technology. The two companies announced plans to combine SK Telecom’s MR technology with EBS’s vast educational content and planning capabilities.

SK Telecom unveiled 'T real,' an integrated AR/VR content and service platform, in 2016. 'T real' is a platform that supports multiple devices and platforms, and aims to be an open platform that can be utilized not only by SK Telecom services but also by external developers.

SK Telecom emphasized, “To revitalize the AR/VR ecosystem, efforts are needed for operators and developers to participate and build the market together,” adding that “openness and sharing, rather than technological monopoly, are key.”