Operators accelerate service innovation
Recent announcements provide further examples of major European operators pursuing service innovation through cutting-edge technologies. Pairpoint (a Vodafone and Sumitomo Corporation business), Deloitte and other partners have announced a service that supports autonomous freight handling and trade compliance. It will leverage Vodafone’s Digital Asset Broker (DAB) – an IoT platform used by connected devices to enable automatic and secure transactions. The DAB uses SIM-based data authentication and blockchain technology. Meanwhile, Telefónica and Meta recently announced a partnership to promote access to mixed reality for the elderly. The Spanish operator is also enhancing the accessibility of its Movistar Immersive Experience with metaverse-like and AI innovations for those who are visually impaired.
For the operators, such initiatives offer new revenue streams while leveraging core capabilities developed through research and development. In Vodafone’s case, the announcement builds on its experience and commercial success in IoT, and reflects a vision to combine the best of IoT and blockchain technology. For Telefónica, the innovations expand on its early involvement with the metaverse and continued evolution of the Movistar suite of offerings in consumer entertainment and the smart home.