Edge Services do not need to wait for 5G Service Based Architecture (SBA) to bring value closer to end users. But Cloud Native 5G SBA - which will be deployed starting in Q3 2021 - benefits massively from pre-deployment of distributed edge compute and storage resources. The availability of low cost resources close to end users will accelerate new 5G low latency apps., secure ‘slices’ for private VPNs, Video Delivery buffering, and most importantly seamless fixed (WiFi, wire, cable) and mobile wireless access to shared 5G core services.

Potential winning solution vendors for those apps. are shown below.

Early Communications Service Provider (CSP) edge services are already being hosted on AWS, Google, IBM and MS Azure. In parallel CSPs have a good business case to deploy Edge Services for their own internal use as a ‘critical mass’ of processor and storage platforms et the edge on P/GW, edge routers, base station Controllers, CUs (Central Units) and even Distributed Units (DUs) in the next two years.

If these internal edge service platforms are deployed as a virtualized distributed system or ‘network fabric’ for Video buffering, local breakout, private and real time network data backup, secure access processing, backhaul minimization etc. they can optimize resource use and reduce CSP operations costs. Most deployments should pay for themselves in about 3 years and be ready to expand as 5G services escalate in 2024.

Early edge resource deployment in 2021 and 2022 will allow CSPs to both partner with and ‘outflank’ the Cloud Hyperscalers at their enormous, climate controlled, remote metro area data centers.

Related reports

‘Adding Communications Service Provider (CSP) Value to ‘Edge Cloud’ ‘ October 2020

Cloud Native for the 5G Core: Enabling Mobile Operators to compete with Cloud Hyperscalers October 2020