Verizon Business and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have announced they will be expanding their 5G collaboration, to deliver private mobile edge computing (MEC) to enterprise customers, in the US. Customers will be able to deploy a completely dedicated edge compute infrastructure on-premises, with ultra-low latency, higher levels of security and deeper customisation.
The new solution will fully integrate Verizon’s private 5G networks and edge platform with AWS Outposts - a fully managed service that offers the same Amazon Web Services infrastructure, services, APIs, and tools to virtually any datacenter, co-location space, or on-premises facility for a truly consistent hybrid experience.
Verizon 5G enterprise customers, which include factories, warehouses, school campuses and large businesses, can use private mobile edge computing to quickly deploy real-time enterprise applications including intelligent logistics, predictive maintenance, robotics, factory automation. The new compute platform will lower costs and improve safety, precision and efficiency.
Smart Factory testing
Corning Incorporated, a leading materials science and advanced manufacturing innovator, based in North Carolina, are the first company to leverage this private mobile edge computing solution. Corning will use Verizon 5G Edge with AWS Outposts to explore powering self-guided vehicles and enhance innovation at one of the world’s largest fiber-optic cable plants.
Corning and Verizon are working with Gestalt Robotics GmbH, a service provider for intelligent industrial automation, to run highly scalable edge-services on AWS Outposts that provide autonomous navigation and advanced environmental sensing "as a Service”. Gestalt Robotics’ solutions use computer vision and machine learning models to process sensor data received from autonomous mobile robots, then send commands to the AMRs over the ultra-low latency, high-throughput 5G private network.
Benefits of MEC
The private mobile edge computing can reduce the need for computing hardware and battery capacity on the AMRs and enable near real-time interaction, as well as a closed-loop control of the vehicles delivering high-reliability production services within the factory.
"“We believe 5G will revolutionise the way people and companies interact with technology.”
Michael A. Bell, Corning Incorporated.
“We believe 5G will revolutionise the way people and companies interact with technology, and we’re excited to advance these developments in our own plant, where we manufacture the optical cable needed to support the networks. Now, with Verizon’s 5G network and mobile edge computing solution using AWS Outposts, we’re leveraging technologies like autonomous mobile robots to demonstrate how manufacturers can increase efficiency,” said Michael A. Bell, senior vice president and general manager of Corning’s Optical Communications business.
“Verizon’s 5G is the platform for 21st century innovation.”
Tami Erwin, Verizon Business.
“Verizon’s 5G is the platform for 21st century innovation and customers are looking to rapidly innovate, improve performance, and create new revenue streams,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “Developers are already creating new latency-dependent solutions that run on the Verizon/AWS public MEC service launched last year. Our private MEC offering will unlock that same potential for enterprise customers who need to maintain a secure, closed environment in factories, warehouses and other facilities,” she continued.
5G Future Forum expansion
In other MEC news, today the 5G Future Forum – established by Verizon and others to develop 5G interoperability specifications to accelerate the delivery of 5G and MEC solutions around the world – announced an open call for new members.
Focusing on the global service delivery and the interoperable availability specifications to improve speed to market for developers and multinational enterprises working on 5G-enabled solutions, the 5G Future Forum’s six member companies have adopted and continue to refine these specifications as they deploy 5G and MEC into their respective 5G networks.
"“Accelerating the 5G and MEC ecosystems.”
Rima Qureshi, Verizon.
“The 5G Future Forum has made important progress in developing specifications that are accelerating the 5G and MEC ecosystems,” said Rima Qureshi, Chief Strategy Officer, Verizon. “We look forward to welcoming new members to 5GFF, as wider adoption of the specifications will benefit our customers and the entire industry,” he continued.
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