In a move that gives a clear indication as to where the market-leading Chinese online entertainment service can see delivery heading, iQIYI has entered into a collaboration with mobile service provider China Unicom to build a joint R&D centre for 5G terminal devices.
Under the partnership, both parties will partner on technology development — including 5G network slicing; 5G multi-access edge computing (MEC); big data; mixed, augmented and virtual reality (MR, AR, VR); as well as 4K/8K Ultra HD video — and jointly establish a 5G terminal R&D centre.China Unicom will also provide the centre with research resources including testing grounds for 5G technology as well as testing and research equipment and devices. For its part, iQIYI will make available mixed and augmented reality VR testing spaces as well as testing equipment and devices. iQIYI has already built its own VR scenario ecosystem including film and television, gaming, social networking and interaction.
The deal means that iQIYI has now established 5G-related partnerships with the top three mobile service providers in China, with China Unicom adding to China Telecom and China Mobile.
Both parties aim to devote their respective advantages in technology, talent and terminal devices to the partnership in effort to promote the innovation and application of 5G VR/AR terminal devices, and to optimise industrial value.
