Telefónica and Qualcomm collaborate to build the future of XR & Metaverse

Telefónica and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced a collaboration to strengthen their position as leaders in the future of XR and the Metaverse. Together they will work to develop and grow the XR ecosystem, leveraging the Snapdragon Spaces™ XR Developer Platform and Telefónica’s advanced fixed and mobile network infrastructure. The agreement also includes exploration of joint commercial opportunities and the launch of XR/metaverse products and services.

Telefónica sees many possibilities in combining immersive devices with powerful networks and decentralised Web3 technologies. This agreement opens the opportunity to deliver new experiences to customers merging the digital and analogue worlds, re-imagining commerce, entertainment, and communication in the Metaverse.

Qualcomm Technologies has introduced Snapdragon Spaces, a platform that empowers developers to unlock the full potential of wearable AR using industry-leading technology, cross-device SDK, and an open XR ecosystem. This enables developers to pioneer innovative experiences that will lead the next generation of immersive technology.

In this regard, both companies are working to bring Snapdragon Spaces to different initiatives which are part of the Telefónica Innovation and Talent Hub, such as its core and open innovation programmes, and the computer programming campus 42. This will help grow the Snapdragon Spaces ecosystem and foster the development of new products and services on XR, which Telefónica can test and commercialise with their consumer and business customers.

Daniel Hernández, VP Devices & Consumer IoT of Telefónica, commented, said: “XR will bring a new dimension to the digital and real world, enabling people to communicate, do business, socialise and entertain themselves in new ways.  We are preparing for this future, building the infrastructure, upskilling the teams, evolving our services and putting in place the partnerships which will enable us to bring innovative new devices and services to customers.  Qualcomm Technologies has played a critical role at each stage in development of our industry and our collaboration with Snapdragon Spaces will help to drive growth in the emerging XR ecosystem and realise the next evolution of the internet, the Metaverse”.

Dino Flore, Vice President, Technology, Qualcomm Europe, Inc. said: “XR will redefine how we live, work and socialise. At a crucial time in the technology’s development and roll-out, we are excited to be partnering with Telefonica to grow the active communities developing the ecosystems of the future through Snapdragon Spaces, which we believe will unlock the power of XR and take it to the next level”.