Ambassador: Daniel Aslam - TV Innovation Lead

“Deutsche Telekom AG is a leading digital Telco, constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation beyond our core Telco assets. We are committed to driving innovation that not only excites our customers but also aligns with our sustainability goals. Collaborating with leading tech players globally, we continuously explore and define our role within the evolving value chain of emerging technologies.

In 2015, when the first VR headset was announced by one of our strategic partners, we recognized the transformative potential of this technology. I was passionate about the opportunities it presented and began defining our role in this space by leveraging our sports rights to test 360° live streaming from stadiums, enhancing customer experiences and testing technical feasibility.

This journey led us to develop a VR content aggregation platform, allowing consumers to enjoy 2D cinema-mode experiences alongside 360° Live and VOD content, including sports, entertainment, and documentaries. We even launched a VR headset with a major partner, going beyond simple cardboard solutions.

Building on this, we introduced AR glasses—a more convenient form factor—making us the first Telco in the EU to launch such a product. By integrating VR and AR into major sports events like soccer and basketball tournaments, we offer innovative ways to engage fans, redefining sports consumption with immersive experiences, but always in a manner that is still in an exploration phase.

Partners like Accedo and Qualcomm have been instrumental since the beginning, and collaborations with HBS enabled a fantastic soccer World Cup experience on HMDs and smartphones. When I learned about the founding of the XR Sports Alliance, I was excited and firmly believed that Deutsche Telekom must play a part in shaping this promising future. Together with other great companies, we aim to continue driving innovation and creating exceptional experiences for our customers.

I firmly believe that this new technology will change TV consumption, creating new insights and sales opportunities. The use of second screens is increasing, and XR and its devices can provide users with the information they want without switching between media touchpoints.

In the future, any seat in the stadium can be taken, or customers can even adopt the athlete's perspective—likely in real-time. Imagine trying on products virtually or placing them in your living room.

All of this creates a much more emotional and immersive experience!

I am happy to join the XR Sports Alliance with Deutsche Telekom and to be able to help shape the future.”

Learn more about XR Sports Alliance here.