Many Other Uses for Edge, Beyond Latency Performance

New technologies and platforms sometimes wind up being used in ways not originally intended. Common Channel Signaling System 7 was developed as an internal network control platform for telecom networks, allowing networks to communicate with each other for purposes including roaming and billing. But SS7 also allowed mobile operators to create short messaging service (texting), which was the first ubiquitous data service sold to consumers. 

In 2007, for example, very few predicted that email would be a major driver of 3G and smartphones such as the Research in Motion Blackberry. Instead, attention was focused on video calling and entertainment video. 

In the 4G era, perhaps few expected that turn-by-turn directions or the camera function would turn out to be so popular. 

So it might be with edge computing, typically thought of as uniquely supporting ultra-low-latency use cases. Some industry professionals believe edge computing will be important for optimizing network traffic as much as improving app performance. 

source: Heavy Reading