Digital Postcards from The Edge

January 5, 2017

January 5, 2017 —

By Ernest Worthman

Executive Editor, Applied Wireless Technology

What prognostication would be complete without The Edge? It seems a fitting ending topic for this missive.

Edge Computing will take a large step forward in 2017, enabled by next-generation smart gateways. Next-generation unlicensed platforms (Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE-U Bluetooth, ZigBee, NB-IoT SigFox, etc.) will begin to find integration via smart gateways, connecting them to the core network and providing reliable coverage at the edge. Many interference issues will be resolved in 2017 paving the way for better cooperation among platforms.

As well, edge networks will become more prolific as intelligence becomes much stronger in these networks. But there will be a lot of competition among vendors to capture the edge market. Major IT systems integrators will begin to offer “managed solutions” for edge computing in addition to their “managed services” for cloud computing.

Small cells will become a major enabler of edge networks. And ultimately, smart edge nodes will be part of the 5G infrastructure that will enable seamless networks. Edge computing will be one of the early elements of 5G and will gain momentum in 2017.