5G Future Forum completes first-ever transatlantic real-time 5G holographic meeting using MATSUKO

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 5G Future Forum () and will lead the first-ever real-time transatlantic holographic collaborative meeting, connecting multiple people as holograms. The holograms will be connected from New York in the U.S. using Verizon’s 5G network; Toronto, Canada, using Bell Canada’s 5G network and from London, UK using Vodafone’s 5G network. The first-of-its-kind demonstration will be available to see at in Booth #1533, located in GSMA's Open Gateway Zone.

“Edge Discovery Service APIs provide us a simple way to find the optimal Edge servers for our application,” said Michael Szakala, DevOps Leader from MATSUKO. “We’ve seamlessly connected visionary operators like Bell, Verizon, Vodafone, pioneering a monumental leap in communication through the holographic call. By incorporating the API into the deployment process, it is very simple to ensure interoperability and a steady connection among the operators.” Szakala also confirms the impact of elevated network capabilities stating, “it amplifies product performance, such as reduced latency, expanded bandwidth, which provides enhanced holographic experiences for our customers.”

“This demonstration shows how Verizon via the 5GFF continues to drive Open API industry momentum with real-life use cases while also accelerating ease of use for developers,” said John Nitti, SVP, Strategy, New Business and Partner Development for Verizon.

Giorgio Migliarina, Vodafone Group Director of Business Products and Services said: “Multi-party holographic calling can make people feel more connected and productive, whether collaborating across classrooms, offices, hospitals or at home. The smooth and natural movement of these holograms will become more prevalent with the growing availability of 5G and edge computing technology.”

“Through its active participation in the 5GFF, Bell continues to support the developer community to access 5G MEC technologies and to ensure their solutions take full advantage of Bell’s 5G network in Canada, and to globally interoperate,” said Bell’s Costa Pantazopoulos, VP Product. “This holographic video call demo illustrates how Bell - with partners Vodafone and Verizon - is innovating to make it easier for developers to leverage 5G capabilities to achieve their application goals.”

Real human holograms, compared to avatars, can convey the individual’s full range of emotions, and people can feel the real presence of their colleagues. Advances in connectivity, thanks to 5G and edge computing technology offered by telecom operators, make it possible to achieve smooth and natural movement of holograms, enabling up a range of possible use cases.

MATSUKO is the creator of the world’s first real-time software-only solution for holographic presence using just a single camera to stream holograms in spatial computing (VR/AR). Their technology to stream holograms in real-time, creates the feeling that people are together and brings physical presence to remote communication.

The demonstration will be viewable at GSMA's Open Gateway Zone. , which launched at MWC Barcelona now has over 30 signatories from leading mobile network operators (MNOs), representing more than 60% of mobile connections worldwide.Open Gateway is a framework of common network Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs) designed to provide universal access to operator networks for developers and works closely with Linux Foundation’s CAMARA that develops API specifications. 5GFF works closely with GSMA’s Open Gateway and CAMARA, contributing to the joint vision of a global Open API ecosystem.

Throughout the day on September 27th, sessions will be held focused on developer engagement through workshops and gaining insight from industry pioneers. 5GFF will be participating in the “Why Create Future Ready Services” panel at 10:40 am PT. The Open Gateway Developer Challenge will also be announced, which will run to MWC Barcelona 2024.

In addition, KT, a member of 5GFF, will also demonstrate a HPC(High Performance Computing) application delivery using the 5GFF's Edge Discovery Service APIs based on the GSMA Open Gateway Federation Architecture among the aggregators and operators at the 5GFF booth.

As a 5GFF MEC Acceleration Program (MAP) member, MATSUKO is showcasing the benefit of 5GFF’s Edge Discovery API to their application. They will play the role of partner and developer, sharing the impact of 5G, MEC, network APIs on their application and experience collaborating with 5GFF to other developers. The 5GFF is inviting ISVs globally who either currently use 5G MEC or have 5G MEC utilization in their roadmap to apply for the 5GFF MEC Acceleration Program (MAP) with the opportunity to closely interact with the world’s leading telcos and shape the API development process. MAP is designed to expand and interconnect the global MEC ecosystem by partnering and engaging with developers. For more information, visit

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $136.8 billion in 2022. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.

About the 5GFF

The 5G Future Forum (5GFF) consists of America Movil, Bell Canada, KT Corp., Rogers and Telstra, Verizon and Vodafone, taking on the challenge to solve for seamless MEC interoperability across global telecom networks. The Forum creates the governance structure of the forum and develops both technical and commercial work streams to enable the global delivery and deployment of 5G MEC solutions. The 5GFF’s partnership-focused approach enables operators to drive reach and scale, while empowering members to jointly innovate 5G cutting edge applications and use cases.

About BCE

BCE is Canada’s largest communications company,¹ providing advanced Bell broadband wireless, Internet, TV, media and business communications services. To learn more, please visit or .Through , we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit .

_________________

¹ Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections

About MATSUKO

MATSUKO makes holographic calls possible. People can see and talk to each other as if they were in the same room, even if they are far away, using just a smartphone and VR glasses - as real 3D holograms, not avatars. MATSUKO’s app is the first of its kind with patented technology and has won a prestigious award at SXSW for its innovative approach. Today, 3D creators can sign up for the Early Access Program at /holographic-early-access.

About Vodafone

Vodafone is the largest pan-European and African telecoms company. Our purpose is to connect for a better future by using technology to improve lives, digitalise critical sectors and enable inclusive and sustainable digital societies.

We provide mobile and fixed services to over 300 million customers in 17 countries, partner with mobile networks in 46 more and are also a world leader in the Internet of Things (IoT), connecting over 167 million devices and platforms. With Vodacom Financial Services and M-Pesa, the largest financial technology platform in Africa, we serve more than 71 million people across seven countries.

We are committed to reducing our environmental impact to reach net zero emissions by 2040, while helping our customers reduce their own carbon emissions by 350 million tonnes by 2030. We are driving action to reduce device waste and achieve our target to reuse, resell or recycle 100% of our network waste by 2025.

For more information, please visit , follow us on Twitter at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at .

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at . News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit .

Media contact:

Katie Magnotta