A guide to the challenges in making virtual reality, reality The Metaverse, a version of the internet in which online interactions take place in real time within fully realized virtual spaces, has been promised as the next frontier in wireless communication. It has drawn huge investment from Silicon Valley and widespread media attention. However, the technologies required to make the Metaverse a reality are still in their infancy, and significant barriers must be overcome if this massive step is to be taken. Realizing the Metaverse provides a systematic overview of these challenges and their likely solutions. Focusing on five key areas—infrastructure, access, intelligence, security, and future developments—it offers one of the first comprehensive, formalized treatments of the Metaverse as a nascent reality. It promises to be an integral contribution to the future development of Metaverse technologies. Realizing the Metaverse readers will also find: An editorial team with extensive research experience in the field Detailed discussion of topics such as augmented reality (AR) adaptation, haptic feedback, artificial intelligence, and more Enlightening discussion of open questions and future prospects for research Realizing the Metaverse is ideal for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in wireless technology, network communications, and related fields, as well as for researchers and industry professionals involved with the Metaverse or adjacent technologies.