Nokia, a leading telecom infrastructure company, anticipates a significant surge in network demand driven by forthcoming advancements in the Metaverse, Web3, and artificial intelligence (AI), and aims to address this increased demand by 2030. According to Nokia's 2030 technology strategy report, network demand is projected to grow by 22%–25% from 2022 to 2030, attributed to the mainstream adoption of generative AI and virtual reality devices.
To meet the evolving needs of emerging innovative markets, Nokia is strategically focusing on enhancing its network architecture and expanding its portfolio of network equipment and services in the coming years. One of Nokia's key strategic areas is the Internet of Value, emphasizing decentralization, blockchain, and smart contracts. Within the Metaverse domain, Nokia's focus will encompass human augmentation, spatial computing, and segmentation processing.
The company has outlined six ecosystems it aims to serve, including artificial intelligence, Industry 5.0, the application programming interface (API) economy, and the cloud continuum. With the establishment of laboratories dedicated to studying the Metaverse and its supporting technologies in 2022, Nokia has been actively pursuing initiatives related to industrial and large-scale Metaverse applications since 2023.
Utilizing network digital twin technology, Nokia has developed a future network architecture that leverages simulations of physical objects for prototyping and testing purposes. Notably, Nokia has implemented virtual universes in real-world applications, such as assisting Cessna aircraft technicians at remote airports in South Australia using 5G-connected Microsoft HoloLens for augmented reality guidance.
In parallel, Finnish scientists have conducted experiments involving digital twins referred to as "metahumans" to showcase the potential of the Metaverse in gamifying employee management compared to conventional optimization programs. These digital twins not only provide visual representations but also incorporate internal characteristics such as emotional and cognitive states. Real-world data gathered through digital twins in industrial simulations holds promise for informing optimal work strategies, enhancing safety protocols, and optimizing performance and output for on-site teams.
