AWS this week announced the general availability of AWS Wavelength on the Vodafone 4G/5G network, allowing software developers and enterprises to build ultra-low latency applications for mobile devices and users in the United Kingdom.
Customers can now deploy parts of their application that require ultra-low latency at the edge of 5G networks using the same AWS APIs, tools, and functionality they use today, while seamlessly connecting back to the rest of their application and the full range of cloud services running in the AWS Region. By embedding AWS compute and storage services at the edge of 5G networks, AWS Wavelength enables software developers to serve edge computing use cases like machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and video and game streaming.
AWS Wavelength brings AWS services to the edge of carrier networks in regions around the world with availability in Daejeon, South Korea, Tokyo, 10 cities across the United States, and now London. Additionally, customer trials are underway in Dusseldorf, Germany on the Vodafone 4G/5G network with general availability scheduled for later in 2021.
With AWS Wavelength, developers can deploy their applications to AWS Wavelength Zones (AWS infrastructure deployments that embed AWS compute and storage services within the telecommunication providers’ datacenters at the edge of the network) so application traffic only needs to travel from the device to a cell tower to an AWS Wavelength Zone. This removes the latency that results from accessing the cloud using traditional mobile architectures that require multiple hops between regional aggregation sites and across the Internet, and enables customers to take full advantage of 5G networks.
AWS Wavelength also delivers a consistent developer experience across multiple 5G networks around the world, and allows developers to build the next generation of ultra-low latency applications using the familiar AWS services, APIs, and tools they already use today.
Vodafone, a leading telecommunications company in Europe and Africa, is the first European telecommunications operator to offer a low-latency edge compute solution for business customers in the UK and independent software developers who serve the UK market.
Vodafone uses AWS Wavelength to bring AWS infrastructure and services closer to customers across the UK.
George Elissaios, GM of AWS Wavelength and director of product management, AWS
Applications traffic coming from devices transits straight from the Vodafone network to AWS cloud services instead of having to go over the internet, enabling developers to power new kinds of mobile applications requiring ultra-low latencies, massive bandwidth, and high speeds.
Vatsa Kalyanasundaram, Cloud and Security Director, Vodafone Business
Working closely with AWS, the commercial availability of Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) servicesfor Vodafone business customers and independent software developers serving the UK market providesaccess to new cloud services.
