LIVE FROM AMDOCS EXPERIENCE 2017, BERLIN: Virtual reality offers a “new language” for content providers, Ran Telem, head of content for agency Inception, said, with the nascent stage of the market meaning it is the right time for operators to decide the role they want to play.

Telem said that VR is “not just a technology, it’s not just a buzzword, it’s a whole new language” for producers. By enabling users to decide where to look and when, it enables them to take on a much greater role than that of just viewer, and can be used to give different perspectives on events and time.

And it also opens up opportunities in areas such as education and training.

With new VR products being launched apace by companies such as Google and Samsung, “a lot of people will be buying VR sets, and they will be looking for things to look at,” Telem said.

Key attributes for companies looking to succeed in this market will include the availability of high-quality, premium content tailored to make the most of the technology’s capabilities; exclusive rights to content; and, of course, the ability to make material engaging.

“Right now is your moment to try to figure out how you want to deal with this new industry – not just stand back and look at what’s happening,” he advised. “It’s time to look at your strategies and tactics to embrace this new form of media.”

“The Amazon Primes and the Netflixes are lurking, and we need to be moving ahead.”