4b. Infrastructure, Networks and Compute

Scope

Robust digital infrastructure is essential for Virtual Worlds, encompassing high-speed networks, edge computing, cloud services, and connectivity to support immersive, real-time experiences at scale.

Key Research Areas

Network Infrastructure

• 5G and 6G deployment for low-latency XR
• Network slicing for VW applications
• Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees
• Bandwidth optimization and compression
• Multi-access edge computing (MEC)

Edge Computing

• Edge node deployment strategies
• Edge-cloud continuum architectures
• Distributed rendering and processing
• Local data processing for privacy
• Resource orchestration across edge-cloud

Cloud Infrastructure

• European sovereign cloud services
• GPU and specialized hardware availability
• Scalable compute for massive VW
• Hybrid cloud-edge architectures
• Green data centers

Connectivity

• Universal broadband access
• Rural and remote area connectivity
• Public WiFi and open access points
• Network resilience and redundancy
• Cross-border connectivity

Strategic Recommendations

For Policymakers

1. Invest in 5G/6G infrastructure deployment
2. Support European sovereign cloud initiatives
3. Fund edge computing infrastructure
4. Ensure universal connectivity across EU
5. Promote energy-efficient data centers

For Industry

1. Develop edge-native XR applications
2. Optimize network resource usage
3. Participate in European cloud ecosystems
4. Invest in distributed infrastructure
5. Adopt green computing practices

For Research Institutions

1. Research edge-cloud architectures
2. Develop network optimization algorithms
3. Study QoS requirements for XR
4. Investigate energy-efficient computing
5. Prototype distributed VW systems

Cross-References

• 2a. Visualisation, Sensing, Devices: For device-infrastructure interaction
• 2d. Standardisation: For network protocols
• 2f. Applied AI: For edge AI and distributed intelligence
• 3d. Sustainability: For green infrastructure