AWS helps Verizon, Vodafone, KDDI, and SK Telecom over the edge

Amazon Web Services has launched AWS Wavelength, which is designed to bring operators and app developers together at the edge of the network.

As the biggest public cloud provider it was only a matter of time before AWS made its edge move and this seems to be a big part of it. A major feature of 5G is low-latency communication, which dramatically reduces the lag between sending and receiving signals. However physical distance still introduces lag, which is where mobile edge computing comes in, but bringing services closer to the end user.

Part of the point of AWS Wavelength is so make it easier for developers to make apps that can exist on the edge of mobile networks, and thus make full use of the low-latency capabilities of 5G. It seems to have got off to a flying start, with Verizon, Vodafone, KDDI, and SK Telecom all having signed up on launch day.

“With Wavelength, we bring 5G and cloud together to give our customers the powerful new capability to run cloud services consistently within a few milliseconds of mobile end-users,” said Matt Garman, VP of Compute Services at AWS. “This is a game changer for developers that is going to unlock a whole new generation of applications and services. We are really excited to see our customers innovate with these unique new capabilities that they did not have access to before.”

“We are first in the world to launch Mobile Edge Compute — deeply integrating Verizon’s 5G Edge platform with Wavelength to allow developers to build new categories of applications and network cloud experiences built in ways we can’t even imagine yet,” said Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon. “Bringing together the full capabilities of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband and AWS, the world’s leading cloud with the broadest and deepest services portfolio, we unlock the full potential of our 5G services for customers to create applications and solutions with the fastest speeds, improved security, and ultra-low latency.”

“With Europe’s largest 5G network across 58 cities and as a global leader in the Internet of Things with over 90 million connections, Vodafone is pleased to be the first telco to introduce AWS Wavelength in Europe,” said Vinod Kumar, CEO of Vodafone Business. “Faster speeds and lower latencies have the potential to revolutionize how our customers do business, and they can rely on Vodafone’s existing capabilities and security layers within our own network.”

“Having the power of the AWS cloud processing and storage services available at the edge of the KDDI 5G network enables us to accelerate IoT innovation for applications like high-definition VR video streaming, visual positioning service, smart factories, autonomous vehicles, and more,” said Makoto Takahashi, President of KDDI. “AWS Wavelength provides Japanese businesses and consumers immediate access to these services over the KDDI 5G network.”

“By combining the strengths of SK Telecom’s 5G network and AWS cloud, we are set to bring innovative changes to all individuals, businesses and industries,” said Ryu Young-sang, Head of the MNO Business at SK Telecom. “This collaboration enables exciting use cases like game streaming, headless robotics, Ultra High Definition interactive media, autonomous driving, and smart factories.”

Developments like this indicate the edge is rapidly becoming a mainstream commercial consideration as the telecoms and IT worlds try to work out whether 5G is worth the hassle. Verizon already has games developer Bethesda and the NFL on board to try out cool new low-latency use-cases and rival AT&T has already announced a similar initiative in partnership with Microsoft. Now let’s see if anyone makes any extra money out of it.