Decoding the Cloud: Monetizing 5G, IoT, and Computing

One of the tandem technologies discussed in the 5G is mobile edge computing, or more widely known as just the edge. Combining 5G and edge holds the promise for many improvements and advancements, however, deploying edge solutions isn’t a simple straight line.

Edge computing is on the rise and it is expected to see a steep incline in adoption over the next several years. Estimates predict the edge computing market will grow from $10 billion in 2020 to $543 billion in 2030. Edge computing is already an accessible technology, and broadly, the term refers to decentralizing computing. Together 5G and edge holds the promise of lightning-fast compute times, which can minimize latency to the point of near real-time to drive significant new use cases.

The overall benefit of the edge is it creates a hybrid benefit of local computing and cloud computing. With localized computing, applications benefit from low latency and reduced latency, as well as the localization of data. From the cloud perspective, benefits include scalability and mobility. But when it comes to the edge, there are many different approaches, as well as categorizations.

The GSMA has worked to create the Telco Edge Cloud (TEC), which is a global platform solution that exposes, manages, and markets edge computing to essentially help Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) develop edge offerings and capabilities to provide to end-users in a way that’s successful and interoperable. One of the characteristics of the telco edge is it offers on-premise edge, which means that workloads can be run on the end user’s on-premise equipment at the site.

The network edge is the intersection of the enterprise-owned network (typically consisting of a wired Local Area Network, a wireless Local Area Network, and a Wide Area Network) and the third-party network. The network edge is another point along the path from endpoint to cloud where data can be processed. It’s not to be confused with network core, which is the connection point of the network components that allows for information exchange between a data center or centers through routers and switches.

This eBook dives into the different edge locations and the edge stack, challenge in deploying edge solutions and the role of IoT, 5G, the cloud, the edge and much more.