By Jamieson Lee Hill

In this article, we explore the trio of Edge computing, 5G and colocation and how they work together. Colocation data centres like IP House London are major players in supporting this evolving infrastructure to meet the demands of low-latency data processing and faster transmission speeds. Let’s dig in!

 What is Edge Computing?

“Edge computing is a distributed information technology (IT) architecture in which client data is processed at the periphery of the network, as close to the originating source as possible.”

Source:  Techtarget.com, 2024

Edge computing is data processing literally at the edge of a network. It means users can have a local digital experience at their geographical location, rather than data being sent back to a distant on-premises data centre. In other words, the user’s digital needs will be served from a local source to meet their needs e.g. business, personal messaging, gaming, financial transactions etc. 

“ Edge computing, at the core, is about the movement of workloads and models away from the cloud and closer to where the action is. Edge is about managing distributed AI models that can process data and distill insights by running predictive analytics close to the source of the data.”

Source: John Walicki, IBM Computing, 2020

In his 2020 article, Walicki also pointed out that edge computing and 5G are sometimes mistakenly referred to ‘interchangeably’, but in fact, they are different technologies offering different things to clients and sectors. 

What is 5G?

In the same article, Walicki gives a distinct definition of 5G…

“5G, on the other hand, is a communications protocol and technology set. For the most part, the value lies in new and improved methods of communication, which sometimes include faster, lower latency methods of communicating between devices.”

Source: John Walicki, IBM Computing, 2020

While often associated with faster speeds, the true value of 5G lies in its ability to deliver lower latency and more efficient communication between devices. This improvement in communication is crucial when combined with edge computing and colocation services, as it enables faster data processing at the network's edge, closer to where data is generated. 

The Role of 5G in Edge Computing

5G ultimately improves connectivity with much faster speeds and lower latency which is ideal for sectors such as gaming, Fintech and Edutech that process large amounts of data at high speed. 5G Networks require edge computing to manage the massive data flow created by connected devices aka the Internet of Things (IoT). 

Edge computing allows real-time processing which is essential for 5G usage cases that are set to define our future cities e.g. autonomous vehicles and smart cities. In the case of robot-operated cars high latency and lagging could lead to crashes and even fatalities, so the combined use of Edge computing and 5G is ideal for such high-speed data processing. 

The Fall of Traditional Data Processing and the Rise of Edge Computing

The massive surge in data generation is transforming how businesses approach computing. Traditional models of data which rely on centralised data centres and standard internet connections, are no longer sufficient to manage the ever-increasing flow of real-world data. In the past, the traditional approach has led to bandwidth limitations, latency issues and lagging. 

General unpredictable network disruptions from the traditional models of data can hinder performance. These challenges and obstacles have steered many businesses to turn towards edge computing architecture because it allows data to be processed closer to its source.

5G, Edge Computing & Colocation Services

Although 5G is a distinctly different technology to edge computing, the two are nonetheless ‘partners in crime’. 5G provides faster technology for the final last mile or 500 metres. 

“5G is tightly coupled with edge computing, providing a faster last-mile access methodology”

Source: Ben Green, The Critical Role Colocation Plays in 5G Edge Computing, 2021

Even with super fast 5G connections, if the data has to travel across the country to an onsite legacy data centre, then the 5G high speeds will still not be attainable. This is where colocation services enter the equation. A colocation provider like IP House enables 5G edge high-speed processing with the colocation services and applications located nearer to the user. Also, IP House’s extensive network and interconnection base further enhance the 5G edge user experience with even faster speeds. 

 “5G increases the speed the data travels at, and edge computing reduces the distance it travels before it is processed. In short, edge enhances the performance of 5G.”

Source: STLpartners.com, 2024

Together, 5G, edge computing, and colocation create a robust ecosystem for faster, more reliable data management and processing.

What are the Benefits of Edge Computing, 5G Integration and Colocation?

Let’s review some of the benefits:

• Low Latency: They allow faster data processing close to the local source for real-time responses. Edge computing also enables faster data transmission by reducing the distance data must travel, as it does not need to go back to legacy on-site data centres. Instead, data is processed by local data centres and their colocation services.

• High Bandwidth: 5G offers higher speeds, enabling seamless data transfer. This real-time processing enhances user experiences and supports high-bandwidth applications, which are vital for streaming, gaming, online learning, and financial services. 

• Increased Efficiency: Edge combined with 5G and colocation services reduces network congestion and improves performance for data-heavy applications like IoT.

• Scalability: Edge computing easily scales with business needs by processing data locally and colocation centres also allow businesses to scale their infrastructure as 5G and IoT applications grow.

• Enhanced User Experience: Edge, 5G and colocation support immersive applications like AR/VR by reducing the lag time which is vital for gaming and online learning experiences. 

• Data Demands: The trio of edge, 5G and colocation are now essential for handling the demands of modern, data-heavy applications.

IP House London Colocation leveraging Edge Computing and 5G

IP House Data Centre has evolved its colocation services to support edge infrastructure and 5G. The importance of geographical proximity to end-users and how colocation services can provide faster and more reliable processing speeds in combination with Edge and 5G is now the new standard for data. Worldwide the deployment of micro data centres at the edge of the network is helping to transform latency issues.

 More and more businesses are now switching to colocation services for their edge and 5G infrastructure needs because traditional methods of data processing are not fast enough. IP House is a crucial partner for businesses that need this leading-edge technology to serve their clients’ needs. 

Find out more about IP House’s edge computing and 5G-ready colocation services. Fill out the Contact Form today!

Sources:

Article 1: https://www.databank.com/resources/blogs/edge-colocation-and-5g-powering-edge-computing-networks/

Article 2:https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatacenter/definition/edge-computing

Article 3: https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/servers-and-data-centers/the-need-for-edge-data-centers

Article 4: https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/servers-and-data-centers/the-need-for-edge-data-centers

Article 5: https://stlpartners.com/articles/edge-computing/5g-edge-computing/

Article 6: https://developer.ibm.com/articles/edge-computing-vs-5g-are-they-the-same-thing/