How does a mobile operator introduce MEC to the network edge?

How does a mobile operator introduce MEC to the network edge?

How mobile operators bring MEC to the edge of the network and the IoT era supported by low-latency sensitive applications has ushered in the dawn of a wide range of applications over the past few years. Iot application cases vary greatly, from robots to self-driving cars, from drones to smart homes, and even e-healthcare, these applications depend on a large amount of data transmission and subsequent processing. It is clear that the cloud computing service cannot quickly compute the data level created by the objects of mobile devices and other embedded sensors to provide real-time response.

This is a delay caused by the distance between the cloud and devices. latency is a major threat to the feasibility of these new applications, but new solutions have also emerged, to provide computing functions, rather than solving network edge challenges in the cloud. This may be the edge of telecom operators, enterprise data centers, regional data centers, or even equipment-level terminals.

Mobile edge computing (MEC) uses partial storage, data transmission, and computing at the edge of the network to offset the latency related to the return operation. This method can be used for various millisecond-level applications, applications of technologies such as self-driving cars, digital power utilities, and virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR. By developing intelligence on the edge, robots and immersive media are also thriving in a low-latency environment.

Because modern computing hardware is equipped with powerful processors to provide this intelligence, computing allocation to edge devices is becoming increasingly relevant. Colleagues' applications are virtualized and can be separated from hardware. Containerized applications in the data center are portable, and these applications can be closer to the device. All these technologies work together to make mobile edge computing the best technology for low-latency, data-intensive applications.

The market forecast for mobile edge computing is strong, with a compound annual growth rate of about 35%. Some analysts even predict that it may grow to 50% in the next few years. Network equipment manufacturers and network providers must be prepared to adapt to such business models to keep up with innovation.

In addition to the emergence of mobile edge computing, cloud computing itself has also turned to the market. developers can share innovations through microservices, while other developers can share microservices through API calls. For example, cognitive algorithms based on complex machine learning can be used through APIS.

Network equipment suppliers and service providers at the core of disruptive API and algorithm economics face challenges that not only determine their future, but also determine the future of 5g and Iot, mobile edge currently lacks a developer-centric ecosystem, which greatly hinders innovation capabilities. Mobile operators can provide this service, as well as platforms and architectures suitable for cloud native development, to build edge application combinations using a wider development community.

What if the mobile operator does not take any action?

The operator is at a crossroads. It occupies a huge market, has a wide range of user groups and topologies, and can connect devices online. All this is due to its infrastructure.

Some may come to the conclusion that mobile edge is the result of the natural evolution of operators. According to ABI Research, 5g can generate nearly $250 billion in revenue, but who will benefit from the key question?

OTT media services have been eroded by operators' revenues for many years. First, OTT has impacted operators' voice revenue and message revenue. Now, they are consuming their data and connectivity, however, the edge computing ecosystem may become the next field to be impacted, making all aspects involved more risky. Mobile edge is the key for operators to gain 5g monetization capabilities. It is essential for operators to discover the potential of this ecosystem.

The operator can focus on cultivating a developer-centered ecosystem in three ways, so that the mobile network is in the leading position.

Establish standards

The mobile edge architecture has caused some confusion. Some companies are not sure which mobile route should be adopted, let alone how to choose between competitive standards, hosting and monitoring solutions. This is still the premise that does not involve the so-called fog computing. The fog computing is very similar to the mobile edge computing, but it is different in key fields.

Mobile operators have the opportunity to provide developers and enterprises with clear information and start from establishing a sound ecosystem. This is an important step to attract edge computing developers, but they are currently facing a series of choices.

Establish a developer Ecosystem

It is not surprising that Amazon developers can easily and flexibly access the cloud, innovate software solutions and monitoring systems, and allow developers to have full control. Operators can do better, and the ecosystem architecture must be very large, so that developers can easily migrate and avoid the issue of vendor locking. This is the characteristic of cloud computing development.

Carriers must have the right architecture to integrate automation, orchestration, and other components with end-to-end visibility to maximize service provision. This requires deployment at the user, developer, and operation level as well as between the network and application to the cloud native architecture. It also needs to combine the business model and philosophy.

Innovation Model

A business model that can attract developers and operators is similar to the current cloud-based business model, with at least a larger scale. Developers come to the carrier and get the result through applications with millions or even billions of devices. In turn, carriers can also earn revenue from the developers and end users of these devices. The success of the mobile edge may bring some more popular scenarios for carriers.

New Market

5G and MEC are so inseparable that they will bring about a wave of technological innovation. What role does a mobile operator play in the revolution? Currently, they are working in traditional business areas and are able to provide connectivity, zero latency, and a powerful and attractive ecosystem. The new market is full of risks and challenges, but mobile operators may need to ask themselves whether they can accept the mobile edge.