How will 5G connectivity evolve with edge computing

On the one hand, it enables us to increase data transfer speeds and deliver ultra-high definition (UHD) content, virtual reality (VR) applications or augmented reality (AR) experiences.

On the other hand, it makes it possible to deploy sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) or big data services at scale. It also enables us to have very low latency connections and increase network availability to 99.99%, enabling uninterrupted communication. However, this network alone is not enough to meet the performance demands of the latest generation of technology, so new technologies such as edge computing are needed to come into play.

What is edge computing?

So, are we clear on what edge computing technology is and how it relates to 5G connectivity? To fully understand what edge computing is, you must first understand how cloud computing (also known as cloud computing) works.

Cloud computing is the storage and processing of data over the Internet. Simply put, we can say that cloud computing allows us to access different resources that are located on remote servers and can be accessed over the Internet instead of running applications and storing data on local servers.

Edge computing is an evolution of cloud computing that aims to bring data processing and storage as far as possible to the edge of the network, where data is generated. In other words, it's about bringing the cloud closer to the user, allowing functions previously located on remote servers to be closer to devices and end users, thereby reducing bandwidth usage and latency.

Edge computing and 5th generation mobile networks

The combination of 5G and edge computing technologies offers several key advantages, and although they are two very different technologies, their nature makes them complementary to each other. As mentioned above, 5G improves data transfer speeds over its predecessor, 4G, while edge computing shorens the round-trip distance between devices and data centers by minimizing latency. The combination of these two technologies enables smoother and more efficient user experiences, especially in applications that require real-time data processing, such as augmented reality, digital health, and smart cities.

Advantages of edge computing

Edge computing, combined with near-zero latency, can bring services that previously needed to run on a device or on-premises Intranet to the cloud, saving costs and speeding up deployment.Bringing processing power as close to the data generation location as possible virtualizes server functions and enables processing power to be implemented on these edge devices

The advantage of edge computing is that by moving functionality that was previously located farther away (in the cloud server), similar functionality can increase speed and reduce latency, thereby increasing possibilities.

Thus, the benefits of low latency are combined with the flexibility, availability, scalability, and efficiency of the cloud.Another advantage of this technology is that it increases risk control by facilitating network management, thereby reducing the number of failures that can occur in the local subnet.

Similarly, by owning its own infrastructure, edge computing enables consistent management of applications in both private and public clouds.