Maximizing Metaverse Opportunities – powered by GSMA APAC Policy Group and DX Acceleration Forum
Start: Thursday 19 May 2022 15:00
End: Thursday 19 May 2022 17:00
Venue: Online (GMT+8)
GSMA’s APAC Policy Group and Digital Transformation Acceleration Forum will be holding its first joint community virtual seminar, “Maximizing Metaverse Opportunities,” on Thursday, 19 May 2022 from 15:00 to 17:00 GMT+8.
The term “metaverse” was first mentioned in a 1992 novel titled Snow Crash by author Neale Stephenson to describe a future, virtual reality-based world existing in parallel to the physical world. Now adopted by a range of tech companies, ecosystem players and businesses in adjacent sectors, the concept of the metaverse is key to the next wave of digital transformation advancement. Many of the companies working on creating these virtual worlds are looking to the potential of ‘new territories’ to create metaverse monetization opportunities.
For the metaverse to grow and thrive alongside the physical world, collaboration between ecosystem players, OTTs, MNOs, and policymakers across sectors will be critical. The availability of open interoperable platforms – as well as diverge range of content and applications – will be key to building a successful metaverse ecosystem. However, these elements will also need to be supported by robust and reliable high-capacity networks if we are to truly create the rich and seamless digital environment that will engage consumers/citizens, enterprises, and governments to make the most of metaverse opportunities.
In the first phase of metaverse development, early movers among ecosystem players, OTTs, MNOs, and policymakers have different strategies to creating platforms, developing services, and leveraging new business models. This webinar will invite pioneering MNOs, ecosystem players and governments to share their experiences and visions about the Metaverse opportunities and address questions such as:
- How should MNOs position themselves in the Metaverse, so they stay relevant?
- How can MNOs flexibly accommodate and collaborate with ecosystem players across different sectors to grow the Metaverse?
- What are the right ingredients for governments and policymakers to foster growth and expand the reach of the Metaverse across different sectors of the economy?
- How can digital transformation activities be effectively aligned with the development of the Metaverse?
- What are the realistic innovative business and collaboration models that should be followed to maximize the potential of the metaverse?
Johnny Kim, DXAF Community Head, GSMA
“Metaverse: A hyped-reality!”
Panellists:
- Mr. Henry Okoede, Senior Director, DX & Innovation, MTN Group
- Mr. Young Sik Kim, SVP, DX Platform Business, KT
- Dr. Mikio Iwamura, General Manager, XR Innovation Office, NTT Docomo
Panellists:
- Mr. Robin Sho Moser, CEO, eyecandylab
- Mr. Minwoo Kim, CEO, Hodoolabs
- Mr. Nix Eniego, Philippines Lead, Axie Infinity
- Mr. Yohan Lee, Director, The Sandbox Korea
Jong-Soo Park
CIO, Seoul Metropolitan Government
Mr. Park Jong-Soo is CIO of Smart City Policy Bureau, the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
He leads the Smart City Policy Bureau of Seoul City which consists of 200+ employees, and it is through this Bureau that Seoul City that establishes and implements Master Plans for Seoul Smart City and Metaverse Seoul, manages ICT-based public services, provides and analyzes bigdata and geographic information, operates broadband communication networks and promotes information security. Mr. Park is currently focusing on applying high technologies such as Metaverse, Big data, Blockchain, IoT and AI throughout Seoul and resolving urban problems by providing innovative public services based on technology.
Shea Silidker
Director of Communications, Media and Technology Group, Accenture
Shea is a Director in Accenture’s Communications, Media and Technology group in Southeast Asia (SEA) and he is responsible for managing relationships and digital transformation initiatives for leading telecom operators in the region. He has over 20 years of consulting experience leading major engagements and change initiatives for telecom operators across US, Australia, and Asia Pacific.
Shalv Parekh
MNO Web 3.0 & Metaverse Lead SEA, Accenture
Shalv leads Accenture’s Web 3.0 and Metaverse for telcos in Southeast Asia. Prior to joining Accenture, he worked across the Singtel Group in Singapore and Australia, and has led and delivered high-impact projects that enable organizations to accelerate their digitalization journey. His experience and expertise is around 5G Strategy and Go-To-Market partnerships, Data Strategy and Governance and E-commerce implementation. Shalv graduated from Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD) and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (with Honors) focusing on Engineering Product Development.
Nix Eniego
Philippines Lead, Axie Infinity
Nix is the Philippines Lead for Axie Infinity, the leading NFT game globally. Nix has over 10 years of experience in marketing and a couple of years of experience in crypto and NFTs. He has helped multiple tech startups in Southeast Asia grow—while also having pioneered one of the first e-learning programs in the Philippines with thousands of students.
Robin Sho Moser
Head of Web3 & Metaverse DACH, EPAM Continuum
Robin is leading the Web3 and Metaverse Practice DACH at EPAM Continuum. The company fuses integrated consulting with engineering, design, operations management and tech optimization to future-proof businesses. EPAM’s roots are in building game-changing products for some of the world’s leading software companies.
Prior to this, he founded eyecandylab, a leading provider of augmented reality solution for immersive video streaming. He raised a $1.6m seed round from Silicon Valley-based investors and generated a multi-million dollar revenue with customers like Red Bull, Deutsche Telekom, and Verizon. eyecandylab’s solutions have been publicly recognized with an Emmy nomination and a prominent feature during Google I/O. This entrepreneurial chapter came to a successful end when the start-up was sold to Accedo.tv in early 2023.
Julian Gorman
Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA
Julian, Head of Asia Pacific at GSMA, drives collaborative efforts between the mobile industry, policymakers, and ecosystems to advance digital economies. With 20+ years of global experience in Wholesale, Business, Regulatory, Policy, and Digital Transformation, he’s a pioneer in forging digital partnerships and units. His fervor lies in mobile tech as the cornerstone of economic resilience, sparking dialogues for sustainable, inclusive digital nations.
Johnny Kim
DXAF Community Head, Head of North East Asia, GSMA
John David Kim is Strategic Engagement Director and Head of North East Asia at the GSMA. In this role, he is responsible for engaging with GSMA mobile operator members, ecosystem partners and government/policy-makers in the Asia Pacific Region. His activities involve working closely with these organisations to introduce, implement and execute GSMA initiatives/programmes to foster innovative business/commercial strategies, new technology adoption/commercialization and general policy and regulatory developments across a range of topics such as IoT, 5G commercialization, VoLTE Interconnection and RCS etc.
With over 20 years of research and consulting experience in the ICT and Telecoms industry, especially in North East Asia, Johnny has executed and directed major research and consulting studies for MNOs, vendors and government/regulatory bodies across a wide range of areas. Prior to joining the GSMA, he worked as Regional Head/Managing Director for ICT global research and consulting companies specializing in Telecoms & ICT and key industry verticals, respectively for North East Asia.
Johnny completed studies in Science and Business/Marketing at the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University of Technology, respectively and has also completed postgraduate studies in Economics and Applied Information Systems.
Radhika Gupta
Head of Data Acquisition, GSMA Intelligence
Radhika is the Head of Data Acquisition at GSMA Intelligence and has expertise on global mobile operators. She has extensive experience in generating data-driven insights in her research. Her areas of expertise are operator networks and spectrum portfolio, operator strategies, metaverse among others. She produces monthly blog series “CURATED” to highlight industry trends based on data, the latest can be found here.
Minwoo Kim
CEO, Hodoolabs
Minwoo Kim is currently the CEO of Hodoolabs. Prior to this role, he held the following positions:
- CEO, Kidaptive Asia
- Head of Global Business, Chungdahm Learning
- Head of Integrated Marketing Comms., Woogjin Thinkbig
Masaaki Koga
Executive Director, KDDI
Masaaki Koga joined KDDI in 1989 and has been working on technology development, planning and strategy. He received 3G CDMA Industry Achievement Award Industry Leadership in 2006. He is the Executive Director in charge of industry standards under Technology Sector and is a GSMA Technology Group member.
Young Sik Kim
SVP, DX Platform Business, KT
Young Sik Kim is currently the Head of Digital Transformation Platform Business Unit at KT. Prior to this role, Young Sik Kim has held the following responsibilities at KT:
- Senior Vice President of Integrated Security Platform Unit
- Vice President of Strategic Planning Department
- Director of New Business Strategy/Media Business Department
Henry Okoede
Senior Manager, DX and Innovation, MTN Group
Henry is reputed for Innovation and the commitment to the bold pursuit of new revenue and market frontiers. In his role at MTN Group Strategy and Transformation, he is the frontrunner in the development of the blueprint for MTN’s strategic innovation model and the implementation of related program initiatives for digital transformation..
Mikio Iwamura
Executive Vice President, NTT QONOQ
Paul Cutsinger
Director of Omniverse Exchange, NVIDIA
Paul Cutsinger is director of Omniverse Exchange at NVIDIA where he’s focused on tooling for real time, true to reality simulation. With a career spanning Amazon, Disney, and Microsoft, Paul’s developer platform work centers on enabling creators to take their ideas into production.
Johan Lee
Director, The Sandbox Korea
Yohan is currently a Director of The Sandbox Korea, the Head of Business Development, and the NFT and Metaverse Industry advisor. He entered the blockchain industry in 2018 and joined The Sandbox as the first global team member and Korea Growth Lead in 2019 with a strong vision that NFT and P2E games will lead to the mass adoption of blockchain, establishing The Sandbox in Korea over the past three years.