Operators have five routes to monetise the future metaverse

The metaverse, which still lacks a universal definition, is in its infancy, but the pace of developments and announcements has accelerated in the last 12 months. Despite the scepticism from some companies or investors on the metaverse in general and specifically on how the business case will play out (investments versus returns), the space will continue to capture interest in 2023 and beyond. While tech giants such as Meta, Microsoft and Google are getting more attention, a range of operators are also making inroads into the metaverse. These include SK Telecom, NTT Docomo, Deutsche Telekom, e&, Singtel, Verizon and Telefónica. In this report, we provide insights into what operators think of the metaverse opportunity and identify the possible monetisation routes.