Microsoft Azure has been added to Verizon’s 5G edge computing platform, meant for retailers, manufacturers and other industries that have applications that require ultra-low latency to mobile devices.
The partnership integrates the Verizon 5G Edge with the Microsoft Azure Stack Edge cloud computing platform. Verizon has also provided similar product integration with AWS since 2019.
Verizon’s 5G Edge is a multi-access edge computing (MEC) platform that connects the carrier’s network with AWS Wavelength and Azure Stack Edge. MEC supports edge computing environments in immediately responding to data received. The platform also decreases network bandwidth by transmitting only aggregate data to a central cloud infrastructure.
Microsoft and AWS will implement each of their respective technology in places where the carrier has its MEC service. The locations include the carrier’s facilities or an enterprise with Verizon’s private 5G network, On Site 5G.
As Stack Edge competes with Wavelength, the combination of Verizon and the cloud applications platforms provide single-digit millisecond latencies over a 5G network.
IDC analyst Stephen Elliot said: “[Business] customers should expect Verizon to continue to expand their public cloud partnerships as network performance continues to be a high priority for customers and a critical success factor for any public cloud deployment.”
