{"id":129895,"date":"2023-11-24T11:57:13","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T11:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com"},"modified":"2023-11-24T11:58:24","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T11:58:24","slug":"how-multi-access-edge-computing-brings-the-edge-closer-to-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/what-is-multi-access-edge-computing","title":{"rendered":"How ‘Multi-Access Edge Computing’ Brings the Edge Closer to Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
Although multi-access edge computing (MEC) is becoming more popular, many companies don’t understand how it differs from conventional edge computing.<\/p>\n
As 5G technology<\/a> becomes more widespread, so does the idea of using resources closer to the client or cellular user rather than repeatedly going into the cloud<\/a> each time.<\/p>\n MEC is a network architecture designed to bring technology resources closer to client devices and end users by providing computing and cloud-based processes at the network’s edge, says Brandon Leiker, principal solutions architect, security at 11:11 Systems, a managed infrastructure solutions provider.<\/p>\n “This shift reduces latency, provides better performance, improves security, and reduces network congestion,” he says.<\/p>\n Leiker explains that MEC provides edge computing for mobile devices and communication, such as 5G devices, whereas conventional edge computing processes data at the edge terminal itself or a computer near the terminal.<\/p>\n The concept and initial standards for multi-access edge computing, originally called mobile edge computing, were developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in 2014.<\/p>\n In 2017, ETSI renamed mobile edge computing to MEC to better reflect the requirements for non-cellular operators.<\/p>\n According to ETSI, “multi-access edge computing offers application developers and content providers cloud-computing capabilities and an IT service environment at the edge of the network.”<\/p>\n MEC “stands as a fundamental pillar” to enhanced user experience in wireless communication by reducing network latency and enhancing capacity, says Shehadi Dayekh, a 5G specialist leader at Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory.<\/p>\n He says: “Multi-access edge computing represents the fusion of edge computing and wireless networks, creating an architectural foundation for enhanced data processing for wireless users.”<\/p>\n MEC is an excellent choice for deploying applications, such as artificial intelligence<\/a> (AI) and machine learning<\/a> (ML), and deriving the benefits of reduced data transfer to the cloud and low latency.<\/p>\nMEC: The Fusion of Edge Computing and Wireless Networks<\/span><\/h2>\n
How Does MEC Differ From Conventional Edge Computing?<\/span><\/h2>\n