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- 1 Major tech companies petitioned the FCC for the frequency spectrum in 2019.
- 2 Metaverse requires a range of advanced technologies to operate.
Independent agency of the United States government, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has opened the 6GHz band to very low power (VLP) devices. Metaverse technologies including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are included in this spectrum. The agency explains the benefits of the move are multifaceted.
A Vital Approval
“The 6GHz band is important for next-generation Wi-Fi operations” according to the FCC announcement. The agency believes this will be crucial to “enrich consumer experiences and bolster the nation’s economy.” The rules have been put down carefully to allow VLPs to operate under the band.
6GHz is among the vital technologies powering the metaverse. The 2.4GHz band has a farther reach, however, 6GHz delivers data more quickly if not far. Data is the new oil today and the 6GHz spectrum is the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus to virtual worlds. There’s no scope for latency in digital spaces if companies are to deliver a seamless experience.
Technology news provider, The Verge, reported major tech companies— Microsoft, Google, Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), and Apple— petitioned the FCC for the frequency spectrum in 2019. All of them are working on metaverse technology. Meta Platforms rebranded the name on October 28, 2021. Mark Zuckerberg, the company’s CEO, explained the name reflects their focus on developing digital worlds.
iPhone maker Apple recently showcased its long-awaited Vision Pro headset during the Worldwide Developer Conference 2023 (WWDC23). However, the company did not mention the term ‘metaverse’ in the course of the event. Instead, they explained ‘spatial computing’ as the focal point of their work.
Multinational technology corporation Microsoft sealed the biggest deal in gaming history, acquiring Call of Duty creator Activision Blizzard for nearly $70 Billion. Company’s chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said, “Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms.”
Last year, the search engine top dog Google acquired Raxium, a microLED startup, for its AR/VR development. The company is currently shaping its Project Starline, an immersive experience powering video calls. Meta CEO showcased a similar technology during an interview with American computer scientist Lex Fridman.
Nascent Tech Driving Nascent Metaverse
Metaverse is likely to be a digital world resulting from the integration of multiple technologies including the Internet of Things (IoT), graphic processing units (GPUs), blockchain, and more. Nonetheless, a large chunk of them are nascent in context to the perfect vision of virtual worlds.
Furthermore, adoption may suffer given only the opulent can afford the devices. Apart from them, technically sound individuals have access to such equipment currently. Currently, there are nearly 400 Million netizens existing in virtual worlds. Roblox and Minecraft are the leading metaverse platforms representing half the user base.
Nevertheless, most of these platforms do not serve the final vision of the metaverse similar to the one envisioned in Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash (1992), and Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One (2018).
Anurag is working as a fundamental writer for The Coin Republic since 2021. He likes to exercise his curious muscles and research deep into a topic. Though he covers various aspects of the crypto industry, he is quite passionate about the Web3, NFTs, Gaming, and Metaverse, and envisions them as the future of the (digital) economy. A reader & writer at heart, he calls himself an “average guitar player” and a fun footballer.
