A term originating in literature and science fiction movies, the goal of the metaverse, or metauniverse, is to create a space similar to the Internet in which users, through digital avatars, can interact in real time.

Experts say that such virtual universe would be accessed with a virtual reality viewer and probably with an avatar in third dimension (3D) that would connect all kinds of digital mechanisms.

Unlike today’s virtual reality, which is mainly used for video games, the metaverse would be used for all kinds of activities: work, games, concerts, movies and many other tasks.

Large technology companies such as Facebook, the US video game developer Epic Games and the online video game Roblox platform have already played their cards in that digital breakthrough.

A BBC analysis highlighted that in order to reach the metaverse as expected by those companies, the most advanced digital worlds will need better, more consistent and mobile connectivity, which could be solved with the launch of fifth-generation technologies, 5G.

ef/omr/acl/cdg/gdc