Sunday, January 26, 2020

Verizon and AT&T Initially Take Different Approaches to Edge Computing

With the caveat that each firm might undertake other edge computing initiatives, Verizon and AT&T seem to be taking different approaches to the edge computing business. Verizon seems to have chosen to operate as a supplier of edge rack space and facilities. Verizon also is partnering with Amazon Web Services, which supplies the actual edge computing as a service.

AT&T seemed initially to prefer a version of enterprise edge computing, where AT&T routes traffic differentially based on enterprise priorities, but does not seem to require additional computing functions aside from that provided by the enterprise itself.

But a Microsoft Azure compatible version also seems to be available, where enterprises Microsoft Azure services in edge locations closer to customers and devices. In that scenario, it appears Azure computing services are available locally. 


AT&T colocates routing gear at the enterprise data center and then routes traffic differentially. High-priority, mission-critical data using either Wi-Fi or mobile networks is processed locally and immediately sent back to the appropriate end-point within the customer’s private wireless network environment, rather than being processed remotely. 


It is possible, perhaps even likely that other edge initiatives also will be developed be each firm. 

No comments:

Post a Comment