5G mobile edge computing (MEC) is a distributed computing paradigm that combines 5G mobile communication technology with edge computing. It involves placing computing resources at the edge of a 5G network, close to end users and devices, in order to bring computation and data storage closer to the devices that generate and consume them.
5G Mobile Edge Computing
The use of 5G in mobile edge computing enables the delivery of low latency and high-bandwidth services to end users and devices, making it well-suited for a wide range of applications and services. Some examples of 5G edge computing use cases include virtual and augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and video streaming.
What is Edge Computing?
Edge computing describes a trend of storing, processing and distributing data at or close to the ‘edge’ – i.e., as close to the point of collection as possible. As opposed to data being processed in a centralized cloud server environment and then accessed by an Internet-connected device (smart phones, tablets, etc.), edge computing aims to ensure that the data is processed locally, either by the end user device itself or on servers physically near it.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of cellular mobile communication technology. It is a successor to previous generations of mobile communication technologies such as 4G, 3G, and 2G. 5G is designed to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and higher capacity than its predecessor technologies, making it well-suited for a wide range of applications and services.
5G Mobile Edge Computing Working Together
Edge computing and 5G are often used together to deliver a range of benefits, particularly for applications and services that require low latency and high bandwidth. Here are a few ways in which edge computing can work with 5G:
Low Latency
One of the key benefits of 5G is its low latency, which is the time it takes for data to be transmitted and processed. This makes it well-suited for applications and services that require real-time processing, such as virtual and augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation. Edge computing can help to further reduce latency by bringing computation and data storage closer to the devices that generate and consume them.
High Bandwidth
5G networks are also designed to deliver high bandwidth, or the amount of data that can be transmitted in a given period of time. This makes them well-suited for applications and services that require large amounts of data, such as video streaming and online gaming. Edge computing can help to optimize the use of this bandwidth by enabling devices to process and analyze data locally, rather than sending it back and forth to a centralized location for processing.
Increased Capacity
Edge computing can also help to increase the capacity of 5G networks by offloading computation and data storage from the network and bringing it closer to the devices that generate and consume it. This can help to reduce the load on the network and enable it to handle more devices and traffic.
Improved Coverage
Edge computing can also help to improve coverage in 5G networks by deploying edge servers and devices in areas where it may be difficult to install traditional infrastructure, such as in remote or hard-to-reach locations. This can help to extend the reach of 5G networks and enable them to serve more users and devices.
Overall, 5G mobile edge computing is expected to play a key role in enabling the next generation of applications and services that rely on real-time processing, low latency, and the handling of large amounts of data.
