Verizon MEC : 5G ’ s new frontier
Arleen Cauchi , Managing Director , Partnership Innovation & GTM at Verizon , explains edge computing and Verizon ’ s new 5G service .
As the Managing Director for Partnership Innovation , Cauchi ’ s role involves bringing new ideas to life . In November 2020 , Verizon became the first company in the world to launch a Mobile Edge Compute service ( MEC ) with AWS called Verizon 5G Edge .
Edge computing is a network architectural model that brings technology resources , including compute and related infrastructure , closer to the end user or to where the data is generated .
“ Mobile Edge Compute ( MEC ) is a type of edge computing that extends the functionality of networks , including 5G networks , with enhanced capabilities . It ’ s a transformational complement to 5G , as it provides both an IT service environment and cloudcomputing capabilities at the edge of the mobile network , within the radio access network ( RAN ) and in close proximity to mobile subscribers ,” Cauchi explains .
The benefits of MEC include :
• Ultralow latency . MEC reduces the latency that comes with compute / storage residing at faraway data centers , opening doors to a whole new generation of possibilities .
• Localized data . Data can be gathered and acted on right where it ’ s created — which can result in greater performance , contextually aware applications and improved security .
• Expanded IoT potential . MEC is ideally suited to facilitate the rapid growth of IoT , and it can even address IoT challenges such as energy use and battery life .
“ We are helping our customers bring these ideas to life , and with the SAP partnership we can help our customers innovate and leverage their existing SAP applications ,” explains Cauchi .
With SAP Edge Services running on the Verizon MEC , they can provide near real-time alerts and actions . Cauchi adds that 5G is only as good as the network it ’ s built on , which makes Verizon ’ s 5G unique .
“ Verizon ’ s 5G Ultra Wideband network combines end-to-end fiber resources throughout the network , a large deployment of small cells and significant spectrum holdings , particularly in the millimeter wave bands . We believe you can ’ t have a great 5G network without a great 4G LTE network , and we have been acknowledged as the best LTE network according to numerous independent third party tests and consumer studies – and the largest LTE network , covering 2.56 million square miles .”
verizon . com / 5g / business