Defining Networks in Terms of Latency

One new way of looking at a network is to define it not only in terms of bandwidth but also latency. And that might be true for edge computing value as well as dense fiber deployments or 5G. 

Using 5G, some form of local off-premises edge infrastructure or a dense fiber network, latency might be defined as within five milliseconds to 12 milliseconds for round-trip latency, though 5G air interface latency might be as low as one millisecond, some note. 

source: STL Partners 

Some say round-trip latency--when using edge computing--means a server or computing facility can be located up to 150 miles distant and still have a round-trip latency of five milliseconds. Round-trip latency of 10 milliseconds involves computing facilities up to 300 miles distance. 

Round-trip latency of 20 milliseconds implies a computing location up to 600 miles away. Round-trip latency of 50 milliseconds can mean communicating with a computing facility or server up to 1,500 miles away. 

source: STL Partners

 

source: Equinix