Telecom Companies Only Talk Without Active Actions about VR Content Development

It is pointed out that while wireless telecommunication operators such as KT, LG U+ and SK Broadband are expanding their businesses by strengthening their media business through virtual reality (VR), it is not enough to lead the VR market properly by taking short videos from inside and outside as VR content is mostly used for popular entertainment programs, sports broadcasts and music videos.

According to the VR industry on November 13, VR contents provided by the three telecom companies are on a gradual rise, but it is said that good quality VR contents are hard to find. Most of them are similar contents and not original but VR versions of TV or contents on the Internet which cannot interest users.

KT is broadcasting VR versions of popular entertainment programs of terrestrial broadcasters such as “Masked Singer King” and “I Am a Singer” via the Ole Mobile Service. Previously, KT presented the US special feature "Infinite Challenge" in August and a making video of the drama “Shopping King Louis” in VR formats. LG U+ is also showing three-minute VR clips of the entertainment program “1 Night and 2 Days” since May. The company also presents VR versions of other programs such as “Please Take Care of the Refrigerator” of general programming cable channels. Recently, they made a VR video of an impressive journey of the Korean national rowing team for the Paralympics.

VR contents have limited genres -- entertainment programs and sports broadcasts. Since there are many simple VR experience-type contents, a majority of them are short contents which run for about five minutes.

In addition, it is pointed out that as most of the contents that have been watched by many viewers through terrestrial broadcasting or the Internet are reused, they can hardly attract viewers. Therefore, it is widely suggested that telecom companies should develop VR killer contents on their own and increase influences on platforms to lead the VR market.

KDDI, a Japanese telecom company, is proposing a business strategy that is contrary to domestic telecom companies because KDDI is making efforts to develop differentiated contents. Last month, KDDI unveiled its Sync Travel service which supports a remote travel service by connecting to a tour guide at a remote place through VR goggles. You can write VR goggles and enjoy a 360 degree views and you can point to where you want to go, signaling for the guide to take you there.