Holographic and Immersive Communication: The End of Screens in 6G and Beyond?

For decades, screens have been the primary interface between humans and digital content—whether on computers, smartphones, or TVs. However, next-generation networks could eliminate the need for screens altogether, ushering in an era of holographic communication and fully immersive digital experiences.

Imagine conducting a business meeting where colleagues appear as life-size holograms in your living room, or interacting with virtual environments in real-time—all without relying on physical screens. With ultra-high bandwidth and near-zero latency, next-gen networks will enable real-time holographic telepresence, haptic feedback, and multi-sensory experiences, revolutionizing the way we communicate, learn, and socialize. The following presents a standardisation oriented view.

What is Holographic and Immersive Communication?

Holographic and immersive communication refers to technologies that allow 3D, interactive digital content to be projected into real-world environments without traditional displays. These technologies leverage holography, spatial computing, AI, and high-speed networks to create realistic, real-time interactions.

📌 Key Features of Holographic Communication in Next-Gen Networks:
✅ Real-Time Holographic Telepresence: 3D holograms projected into physical space.
✅ Immersive Virtual and Augmented Reality: Digital objects interact naturally with real-world environments.
✅ Haptic Feedback Integration: Tactile sensations allow users to "feel" virtual objects.
✅ Ultra-Low Latency Interaction: Near-instantaneous data transmission ensures seamless communication.

Why Holographic Communication Needs Next-Gen Networks

1. Massive Data Transfer at Terabit Speeds

Holographic telepresence requires data rates exceeding 1 Tbps to stream high-resolution, real-time 3D projections.
Current networks’ peak speeds (10 Gbps) are insufficient, making next-gen networks’ THz spectrum essential.

2. Ultra-Low Latency for Realistic Interaction

To prevent lag in holographic calls, next-gen networks must reduce latency to below 1 ms.
AI-powered edge computing will process holographic data in real-time, reducing delay.

3. Seamless Multi-Sensory Integration

Holographic communication will integrate visual, auditory, and haptic feedback for lifelike experiences.
Tactile internet technology will allow users to "touch" and "feel" holographic objects.

Challenges of Holographic and Immersive Communication

1. Data Processing & Network Load

Holographic streaming will generate petabytes of data, requiring AI-powered compression and distributed processing.

🛠️ Potential Solutions:

Edge AI & Federated Learning: Reducing cloud dependency by processing holographic data locally.
AI-Optimized Data Compression: Minimizing bandwidth requirements without loss of quality.

2. Hardware Limitations

Today’s displays, projectors, and VR/AR headsets are bulky and power-hungry, making full-scale holographic communication impractical.

🛠️ Potential Solutions:

Light Field Displays & Holographic Optical Elements: Eliminating the need for VR headsets.
Quantum Dot and Meta-Material-Based Holographic Screens: Creating ultra-thin, energy-efficient holographic interfaces.

3. Security and Privacy Concerns

Holographic deepfakes and privacy risks will require strict regulations.
Unauthorized access to immersive experiences could lead to new cybersecurity challenges.

🛠️ Potential Solutions:

Post-Quantum Cryptography & Secure Identity Verification.
Global Standards for Ethical AI & Digital Identity Protection.

Key Applications of Holographic Communication

1. Business & Remote Work

🏢 Holographic meetings will replace video calls, enabling life-size interactions.

2. Education & Training

🎓 Medical students could practice surgery on 3D holographic patients before real-world procedures.

3. Entertainment & Gaming

🎮 Fully immersive AR/VR games with haptic feedback and AI-driven storylines.

The Road Ahead: 3GPP’s Holographic Communication Roadmap

📌 Release 19 (2024-2025):

Study on Holographic Communication & Bandwidth Requirements

📌 Release 20 (2026-2028):

Integration of AI for Holographic Data Compression

📌 Release 21+ (2028-2030):

Finalization of Next-Gen Holographic Network Architecture.

Final Thoughts: Are We Ready for a World Without Screens?

Holographic and immersive communication will redefine human-computer interaction, enabling:
✅ Seamless, 3D Telepresence
✅ Haptic and AI-Driven Experiences
✅ Next-Level Education, Healthcare, and Gaming

However, data processing, security, and ethical concerns must be addressed before holography becomes mainstream. With 3GPP and ITU leading standardization efforts, the era of screen-free communication is closer than ever.

🚀 What excites you most about holographic communication? Let’s discuss below!

References & Further Reading

📄 ITU-R M.2160-0 (2023) – Framework and overall objectives of the future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond
📄 3GPP TR 22.870 (2024) – Study on 6G Use Cases and Service Requirements
📄 3GPP RP-243327 – New SID: Study on 6G Scenarios and requirements
📄 3GPP RP-243245 – New SID: Study on Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) for NR air interface Phase 2
📄 3GPP SP-241695 – New WID on Rel-19 Application Data Analytics Enablement Service
📄 3GPP SP-241778 – New WID on security support for the Next Generation Real Time Communication services Phase 2