EDGE COMPUTING
HOW EDGE COMPUTING AND 5G CAN IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY FOR UNDERSERVED AREAS
Combining edge computing and 5G could enable services that are both high speed and low latency without relying on distant data centres , according to Erez Sverdlov .
He explains : “ This could allow telcos to deliver faster , more reliable connectivity in rural or remote regions . Improved access supports applications like telemedicine , distance learning and IoT-enabled agriculture , enhancing healthcare , education and economic opportunities in underserved areas .
“ By minimising dependency on network backhaul , this reduces service interruptions , ensuring consistent access to essential services even in regions with limited infrastructure .”
Transforming telco service delivery Whilst edge computing enables telecom providers to deliver hyper-personalised services to its customers , its workloads are often highly data-intensive , given that they are processing large amounts of real-time data from sources like IoT devices .
Managing such a high volume of data in real-time can inevitably strain network resources and lead to issues with bandwidth , as Mark Cunningham explains .
“ This becomes even more challenging when the data is sensitive , such as personal information or confidential business data , which introduces security risks ,” he says . “ As telcos , we need to prioritise data security and develop
98 January 2025