Megabytes and Metaverse: How Virtual Reality Environments Will Impact Data Centres

As the metaverse becomes increasingly mainstream and the future for enterprises, current digital infrastructure will require a refreshed approach to keep up with large demands for data storage.

The development of virtual worlds in the Metaverse has been embraced by many industries and developers since being launched by Meta in 2021. It is the new phase of virtual reality (VR) which allows users to interact with one another in a computer-generated environment. However, to provide a seamless immersive experience for hundreds of millions of users simultaneously across the globe, the data that hosts the metaverse need to be constantly performing.

According to a Gartner report, 25% of internet users will spend at least an hour every day on the metaverse by 2026. This includes entertainment, shopping and even working in the metaverse. The amount of data that will be created and consumed will hit new levels and in order to meet the demands of the metaverse, data centre capacity will need to increase drastically.

But is the current network infrastructure prepared for the intensity of the Metaverse? A virtual world that connects millions of VR headsets will require increased bandwidth and low latency to ensure seamless connectivity. As data grows and more users enter the metaverse, connectivity demands will only increase, digital infrastructure providers, need to ramp up their operations now to stand a chance of matching global requirements.

The Reality of the Metaverse

If enterprises take on the technical progression of moving to the metaverse, their digital infrastructure must be prepared for it and data centres will have to be built whilst upgrading existing ones.

The metaverse has become one of the biggest digital infrastructure opportunities as many sectors will want to see what interesting opportunities arise for their organisation.

One of the biggest challenges to entering and staying in the metaverse is the high level of resources needed, as it will require a large volume of data to support the virtual world. A highly efficient edge networking and communication infrastructure will be needed to reduce latency and stay reliable. Data centre providers will need to start building data centres in local markets to serve the exponential demand driven by the metaverse.

Data centres will need to accommodate for the number of users and the increased amount of power used by the metaverse. This strain on data centres can cause detrimental effects of increasing temperatures, and a way to cool data centres is necessary. Find out more about liquid cooling and how it will be key to maintaining ambient temperatures within facilities here.

Edge networks will also need to upgrade to ensure that content and graphics can be stored close to the edge for the metaverse to work true to itself and connect users without interruption.

Physically Reshaping Digital Infrastructure

Data centre leaders and providers have already started the transition to creating the advance digital infrastructure needed to keep up with the pressure of the metaverse.

Every network has its limits and the metaverse is currently requiring resources that are beyond that of the present digital infrastructure. If enterprises are seriously looking to adopt the metaverse, digital infrastructure providers need to deliver the next digital hubs and make bold moves in unique markets to serve the demand of the metaverse.

As the metaverse is expanding rapidly, data centre operators need to ensure there is enough rack capacity for the large amount of data that will come from the virtual world and expand data centres to meet these demands.

The future of the metaverse includes the exponentially growing amount of biometric data as virtual reality headsets and augmented reality glasses are already tracking eye movements, mapping the surroundings, and recording voices. Data sovereignty in the metaverse will become crucial as it will allow users to participate in the digital economy without having to give up control of their data.

As more personal information is held in various locations across the globe, digital infrastructure will need to expand in local areas and increase to comply with the data regulations laws. Data centres need to be ready to serve exponential demand coming from the local markets driven by the metaverse.

Systems like Web3 tools that include blockchains and other permissionless technology are necessary to ensure data protection within the metaverse so that they can track personalised content without requiring users to trust third parties with their data.

The metaverse is a massive opportunity for data centre operators and now is the time to take action that will benefit the growing market and enable local cloud service providers, content companies, OTT players and enterprises to benefit from world-class digital infrastructure.

?Expanding Digital Infrastructure for the Metaverse

Digital infrastructure will need to take huge strides to reach the seamless experience the metaverse promises. Not only will there need to be a huge increase in power to data centres but data centre providers will need to build and expand in local markets that have previously not been used for data centre placement to serve the ever-growing demand and pressure of the metaverse.

Data centre providers must make bold moves in unique markets to serve the demand of the virtual future. Local economies, businesses and end users will have the foundation for critical infrastructure as new data centre investment will enable a new wave of digital innovation in the metaverse.