A new network architecture
Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) is a new option for network providers challenged to meet consumer demands for improved coverage and greater bandwidth.
MEC is a network architecture that enables IT and cloud-computing capabilities at the edge of the cellular network. The main idea behind the architecture is to reduce network congestion and improve applications by performing related processing tasks closer to the end user. The technology is designed to be implemented at cellular base stations, providing rapid deployment of applications and other customer services.
The architecture is comprised of three essential elements: the hosting infrastructure management system, the application platform management system and the application management system. The hosting infrastructure management system consists of a virtualization manager and virtualization layer. The application platform system provides traffic control, radio access network (RAN) information services, communication services and service registry. The application management system is a virtualized machine for applications.
Benefits
MEC offers a range of benefits, especially for operators, equipment providers, IT platform providers and system integrators. In addition to reducing the congestion of mobile core networks, MEC delivers low latency. Moreover, edge computing provides a way to collect and process information at local computer devices instead of in the cloud. In addition, MEC can provide near real-time analysis of data, and cut expenses anchored to operations and data management.
MEC can be implemented both indoors and outside depending on the access technology. With respect to the outdoors, macro cells place computing and virtualization capabilities into radio network elements. By mixing applications with radio equipment, operators can provide new network features quickly and boost over-the-top (OTT) services. The architecture can improve the efficiency of the infrastructure and be integrated with radio equipment.
With respect to indoor areas, like Wi-Fi and 3G/4G access points, edge clouds can serve as gateways, which run several services applicable to the specific region in which they are installed. Examples include machine-to-machine situations where MEC services can monitor weather conditions; retailers in malls that would like to communicate to shoppers on their mobile devices; and crowded areas like airports, movie theaters and stadiums where MEC applications can guide users to destinations.
Use cases
MEC use cases are already being realized. Augmented reality services, for example, need an application to analyze data from a user’s camera in order to construct a digital representation of the world layered with information, such as images and texts. In particular, the application needs to know the user’s coordinates and movements. Supporting an augmented reality service on an MEC platform over the cloud is beneficial because the data relevant to the point of interest is highly localized. In addition, an MEC platform — instead of a centralized server — can process the user’s whereabouts quickly and with low latency.
Another use case pertains to the automobile industry. A surge of connected vehicles have flooded the automobile industry over the last few years with no end in sight. Accompanying the uptick of data collected by connected cars is the need for lower latency. Storing and processing data centrally is slow and fickle in many instances. MEC can broaden the connected car cloud into a mobile base station, allowing data to be stored and processed near cars swiftly. Furthermore, such technology can allow drivers to receive warnings from other vehicles in real-time.
Conclusion
MEC can help network providers expand both coverage and bandwidth. Using a virtualized platform, MEC provides a wealth of benefits, from lower latency to cutting expenses, and can be deployed both inside and outside. Although the network architecture is still under development, several businesses are teetering on the mobile edge.
