Amazon launches AWS Wavelength for 5G networks in the UK

AWS Wavelength.
(Image credit: AWS.)

Amazon has launched AWS Wavelength, an AWS infrastructure that enables enterprises and developers to build ultra-low latency applications that can be delivered via the Vodafone 5G network in the UK. 

Amazon says that by embedding AWS compute and storage services at the edge of 5G networks, “AWS Wavelength enables software developers to serve edge computing use cases like machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and video and game streaming.” 

AWS Wavelength will deliver AWS services to the edge of carrier networks in regions around the world with availability in Daejeon, South Korea, Tokyo, 10 cities across the United States, and now London.

“AWS is excited to collaborate with Vodafone to give developers full, direct access to AWS cloud services in any region on the Vodafone 4G/5G network and to accelerate innovation across the UK,” said George Elissaios, general manager of AWS Wavelength and director of product management at AWS. 

“Applications traffic coming from devices transits straight from the Vodafone network to AWS cloud services instead of having to go over the internet."

George Elissaios, AWS.

“Applications traffic coming from devices transits straight from the Vodafone network to AWS cloud services instead of having to go over the internet, enabling developers to power new kinds of mobile applications requiring ultra-low latencies, massive bandwidth, and high speeds. AWS Wavelength is fully launched, available, and public, so it’s accessible to anyone who is an AWS customer.”

Low-latency apps via MEC

Using the new AWS Wavelength infrastructure, application developers will be able to deploy apps to AWS Wavelength Zones, which are AWS infrastructure deployments that embed AWS compute and storage services within the MNO’s datacenters at the edge of the network. This ensures that application traffic only needs to travel from the device to a cell tower to an AWS Wavelength Zone.

“Working closely with AWS, the commercial availability of Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) services for Vodafone business customers and independent software developers serving the UK market provides access to new cloud services,” said Vatsa Kalyanasundaram, cloud and security director, Vodafone Business. “We’re now offering businesses the ability to get real time insight for faster decision making to deliver next-generation, immersive experiences that were not possible before.”

Traditional mobile architectures require multiple hops between regional aggregation sites, and across the Internet,but AWS Wavelength enables developers to take advantage of edge computing, and limit the number of hops, therefore lowering the latency. 

“AWS Wavelength and Vodafone 5G and MEC technologies provide our vehicles with ultra-lowlatency and expansive bandwidth, which lets us to monitor our autonomous vehicles in real time, via safe and secure communications,” explained Simon Brewerton, chief technology officer at Aurrigo, an autonomous vehicle technology company. “The assured high-bandwidth connectivity between multiple vehicles, the central control room, and our servers, supports critical uses such as remote supervision and first-person video feeds. AWS Wavelength’s high-connectivity availability enables the excellent quality of service critical to our future plans.”

To get started with AWS Wavelength, visit: https://aws.amazon.com/wavelength.  

Dan Oliver

Dan is a British journalist with 20 years of experience in the design and tech sectors, producing content for the likes of Microsoft, Adobe, Dell and The Sunday Times. In 2012 he helped launch the world's number one design blog, Creative Bloq. Dan is now editor-in-chief at 5Gradar, where he oversees news, insight and reviews, providing an invaluable resource for anyone looking to stay up-to-date with the key issues facing 5G.