The rise of holographic communication can be attributed to several technological advancements, including the development of 5G and upcoming 6G networks, edge computing, and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies provide the necessary bandwidth, low latency, and computational power to enable real-time holographic transmissions.
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries, particularly China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, are leading the development and adoption of holographic communication. These nations have already invested heavily in 5G infrastructure, a critical component in enabling the high-speed, low-latency requirements for hologram technology. As 6G research progresses, APAC telecom companies are well-positioned to continue this momentum, further accelerating the adoption of holographic communication across the region.
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Regional Strides in Holographic Communication
China, in particular, has been at the forefront of this development. With its strong commitment to 5G and AI, China has made significant strides in holographic communication. The country is rapidly advancing its holographic research and development, driven by strong collaboration between the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) and the regional Security Identification Union (SIU). The holographic market in China is vast, with UnionPay alone using 500 million holograms annually, valued at USD 55 million.
The SIU is playing a key role in promoting holographic technology across China, emphasizing its benefits for brand authentication, anti-counterfeiting, and product enhancement, especially in sectors like currency, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and secured documents. By increasing local awareness and attracting more Chinese members to the IHMA, the SIU is helping integrate China’s holographic industry into the global market, fostering cross-border trade and technological advancements. The SIU's deep local knowledge, combined with the IHMA’s expertise, is expected to spur further growth and development in China's holographic sector, unlocking new opportunities for innovation.
Japan and South Korea have also been key players in the region's holographic communication initiatives. Both countries have well-established 5G networks and a are placing a strong focus on futuristic 6G deployment. These infrastructures provide a foundation for experiments with holographic services in both business and consumer markets.
South Korea, for example, is making significant strides in holographic research and development (R&D), focusing on advanced hologram technologies that project fully three-dimensional images into the air. This technology has evolved beyond traditional 3D displays, now enabling users to touch and interact with holographic images. The number of patented applications for hologram technologies in Korea has surged, with 343 cases filed between 2012 and 2016, a substantial increase from earlier years. Korean companies are now leading the charge in developing innovations such as floating, plasma, and haptic holograms.
Notably, Samsung has developed a haptic hologram that allows users to feel and interact with virtual objects, a breakthrough with potential applications across industries like architecture, education, healthcare, and gaming. The Korean government is actively supporting the expansion of this sector, aiming to tap into future markets through continued research and patent acquisitions.
Meanwhile, Japan is advancing rapidly in the development of medical holography, a field that is poised for significant growth in the healthcare sector. With applications in areas such as holographic microscopy, medical education, biomedical research, and medical imaging, Japan is leveraging holographic technology to transform diagnostics, treatment planning, and education. Holographic microscopy is enhancing cellular imaging in labs, while medical education is benefiting from immersive, interactive learning experiences.
Biomedical research uses holography to provide detailed, three-dimensional views of biological structures, offering deeper insights into complex phenomena. Additionally, Japan's advancements in non-invasive, high-resolution holographic medical imaging are improving diagnostic capabilities and surgical planning, contributing to the country's leadership in medical holography innovation.
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Operator Strides in Holographic Communication
Holographic communication is gaining traction in the APAC region, driven by collaborations between telecom giants and tech innovators.
China leads the way with companies like China Unicom and Huawei showcasing 5G-enabled holographic calls, while firms like WIMI Hologram Cloud are pioneering holographic solutions, including holographic AR automotive application, 3D holographic pulse LiDAR technology, holographic vision semiconductor technology, holographic software development, holographic AR advertising technology, holographic AR entertainment technology, holographic ARSDK payment, interactive holographic communication and other holographic AR technologies.
Japan is also making strides, with NTT DOCOMO collaborating with Magic Leap to pioneer immersive communication technologies.
South Korea has been a significant player, with SK Telecom demonstrating the practicality of 5G holographic calls for real-time interactions, and KT Corporation leveraging holographic technology for immersive entertainment experiences like virtual concerts.
Singtel’s collaboration with Azure Public MEC exemplifies the emergence of holographic communication in health. Together, the entities have enabled high-resolution 3D holograms for real-time medical analysis in the National University Health System, enhancing surgeries and research with immersive visualization tools.
Similarly, AIS Fibre’s trial of ultra-fast broadband supports the growing demand for low-latency applications like hologram calls and virtual reality, while China Unicom and NetDragon are transforming education with 5G-enabled holographic classrooms, creating interactive learning environments.
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Technological Advancements Driving Holographic Communication
Several technological advancements have been crucial in the development of holographic communication. One of the most significant drivers is the ongoing deployment of 5G networks, which offer ultra-low latency, high-speed data transfer, and enhanced reliability. These attributes are critical for transmitting high-quality holograms in real-time without significant delays or interruptions. Notably, AIS is testing broadband speeds of up to 25 Gbps, which would allow seamless holographic communication and applications like hologram calls in the mainstream.
Moreover, research into 6G networks, which are expected to support even faster speeds and greater data capacity, promises to take holographic communication to new levels of efficiency and accessibility.
Another essential component is edge computing, which allows data processing to occur closer to the user, reducing latency and improving the responsiveness of holographic applications. One company pioneering holographic edge computing is Vuzix Corporation, which has been exploring holographic communication and edge computing capabilities by enabling real-time data processing and transmission through their wearable devices. Vuzix smart glasses, like the Vuzix Blade and M4000, utilize edge computing to enhance AR experiences, allowing users to interact with holographic projections in real-time without relying heavily on cloud-based processing.
AI and machine learning (ML) also play an important role, enabling the creation of more sophisticated and realistic holograms. AI can help to compress the vast amounts of data needed to generate high-quality holograms, making the technology more feasible for widespread use. SenseTime, a leading AI company in China, is applying its computer vision and AI technologies to holographic displays for business communication.
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The Future of Holographic Communication in APAC
As the technology matures and the necessary infrastructure is put in place, holographic communication is likely to become a mainstream component of the telecom industry in APAC. The region’s strong commitment to 5G and 6G development, coupled with advancements in AI and edge computing, ensures that APAC will play a leading role in this transformation.
Several pioneering research papers are exploring the development of future holographic communication technologies. One notable study explored "Holographic MIMO Surfaces for 6G Wireless Networks: Opportunities, Challenges, and Trends" and was conducted by Huang Chongwen from Zhejiang University, Sha Hu from Huawei Sweden, and others. The study explored the integration of holographic communication within 6G networks, addressing challenges related to bandwidth, latency, and edge computing.
Research published by the ITU entitled, "Holographic-Type Communication: A New Challenge for the Next Decade" outlined a framework for deploying these technologies in urban environments, focusing on scalability and data privacy, while also dissecting holographic telepresence in the coming decade.
In the coming years, we can expect to see holographic communication applications expanding across various sectors, from healthcare and education to entertainment and business. As more countries in the region adopt the necessary infrastructure, holography has the potential to bridge geographical distances, enhance communication, and create new economic opportunities across APAC.
