Combining AWS‘s cloud expertise with BT’s 5G and 4G infrastructure, UK companies will be able to take advantage of secure, high-bandwidth connectivity on the move for use cases such as crowd management, healthcare and security.
5G is also able to bolster IoT efforts, powering outlets including autonomous vehicles; cameras for policing and other public services to help protect communities; and smart industrial robots.
The partnership with AWS comes in line with BT’s investment in existing mobile networks, to enable 5G-connected infrastructure as a service via AWS Wavelength.
Plans entail activation of a new AWS Wavelength Zone in Manchester, which will service trials for eligible businesses and public sector organisations within a 100-kilometre radius (including cities such as Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Blackpool).
BT’s Wholesale unit — responsible for telecoms services across Europe — has worked with AWS on the initial trials in Manchester, with the service planned for UK business availability once the planned national rollout is complete.
AWS Wavelength is the 5G edge computing infrastructure product from Amazon Web Services, which embeds AWS compute and storage services within wireless networks, providing mobile edge computing infrastructure for ultra-low-latency applications.
“As we continue to build best-in-class 5G infrastructure for the UK, launching the AWS Wavelength service for our business and wholesale customers is a hugely important step on our journey – bringing the power of the cloud to the UK’s best network,” said Alex Tempest, managing director for BT Wholesale.
“It’s set to unlock use cases like IoT cameras to help first responders keep communities safe: a real-life example of using tech to connect for good.
“By building cloud edge services into our 5G and 4G EE network, we can accelerate innovation across industries, and bring fast, secure data processing closer to where our customers need it most. Ultimately, we want to give businesses and public sector organisations all the power of edge computing, wherever they are.”
Related:
What does 5G mean for enterprise business? — What should an enterprise business CTO consider when throwing the switch on 5G?
How edge computing will benefit from 5G technology — Here’s how edge connectivity can be bolstered by 5G.
