Mobile Edge Computing provides the benefits
of the cloud without the latency drawbacks
Latency comprises three basic components: propagation distance, computation capacity, and data rate. The propagation distance for MEC for devices is measured in metres, and rarely ever more than a kilometre. Cloud computing propagation distances are measured in multiple kilometres.
In terms of computation capacity, although the cloud has more, it is shared among several users at once, which means greater stress is placed on cloud capacity than on a node at the edge. Mobile Cloud Computing also requires that information pass through several networks, whereas with Mobile Edge Computing, communication constrained at the network edge is safe from that. That gives MEC the lowest end-to-end application latency.
MEC is better for saving power, too. Power saving for Internet of Things devices like smart TVs and wearable technology is a huge problem. With billions of devices offloading computation onto network edges, and less-than-excellent battery life in many devices, it would come in handy to save a little battery life.
So, what does the future hold for MEC?
The three largest cloud service providers, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have started working towards and investing in Mobile Edge Computing, which could well be vital in creating the smart cities of the future.
Microsoft recently acquired two Edge Computing Companies: Affirmed Networks, which makes vEPC platforms to support 5G deployments, and Metaswitch Networks, which makes a vIMS platform. Amazon Web Services are in partnership with Verizon who will use its Wavelength edge computing platform to power low-latency applications on its 5G network. And Google has created two Edge Computing platforms: Global Mobile Edge Cloud, an open cloud platform that gives network operators a way to develop applications with a distributed edge, and Anthos which is a cloud-native application intended for telecom companies to run applications at the network edge. These are serious investments in a serious growth industry.
While there are multiple reports suggesting the growth of the edge market from 2017 to 2025, in all of these reports the growth is expected to be more than 30%. It is estimated that the size of the edge market was as much as $2.8B in 2019. That’s impressive for a new market. But much more impressive is its projected growth to $43.4B by 2027.
But before we get there, there are many steps to take, each of which could help you in your business. In the next article you’ll discover real-time applications of MEC that are already well underway including how it’s being used to help traffic cameras reduce road traffic fatalities; how enterprises are using MEC to solve data and privacy issues; how MEC is enabling the autonomous vehicle revolution, and more. So, keep an eye out for that article coming soon.