Mobile-Edge Computing – Introductory Technical White Paper
Issue 1
Page 8
Edge computing in outdoor scenarios
There are different ways to implement Mobile-edge Computing, depending on the access technology.
For outdoor, Macro cells vendors embed secured computing and virtualization capabilities directly into
radio access network elements. This integration of applications with radio equipment allows operators
to rapidly deliver innovative network features, accelerate over-the-top (OTT) services and enable a
variety of new high value services. Such flexible services are executed at a very strategic location in the
mobile network, making them much more essential than any other applications run at the core. This
architecture is particularly relevant to:
• Improve mobile users’ Quality of Experience (QoE), by reducing latency, improving quality of
service or/and providing customized services.
• Improve infrastructure’s efficiency, with more intelligent and optimized networks.
• Enable disruptive vertical services, particularly relevant for Machine-to-Machine scenarios, Big
Data management, Analytics, Smart Cities and much more.
• Tight integration with radio equipment, making it easy to understand traffic characteristics and
needs, deal with radio conditions, get device location information, etc.
Edge computing in indoor scenarios
When it comes to indoor, such as Wi-Fi and 3G/4G access points, edge clouds take the form of powerful
on-premises gateways, where dedicated intelligence serves local purposes. Through lightweight
virtualization, those gateways run multiple services applied to the particular location they are installed
in, such as:
• Machine-to-Machine scenarios: Connecting to various sensors, Mobile-edge Computing services
can deal with all sorts of monitoring activities (air conditioning, elevators, temperature,
humidity, access control, etc.)
• Retail Solutions: Having the ability to locate and communicate with mobile devices, there is an
opportunity to deliver higher value to the consumers and the malls. For example delivering
content based on location, implementing augmenting reality, improving the overall shopping
experience, or dealing with secured online payment.
• Stadiums, Airports, Stations, Theatres: Specific services can help manage other types of crowed
places, in particular to deal with safety, security, evacuation, or to provide new kinds of services
to the public. For example, stadiums could provide live content to the public, airports could
guide passengers to their gate through an augmented reality service, and many more. All these