Okwuibe, Liyanage, Ahmad, and Ylianttila
382
application server platform into mobile base stations, its key characterizing features
being proximity to data source, application services, RAN technologies and users [20].
MEC offers the following benefits:
● Reduced Latency: Extending computing resources to the edge of the network means
faster arrival for network packets, and hence faster starts for streamed and real‐time
contents. MEC eliminates lengthy round trip delays to central servers and provides
local support for application services, making the network more suitable for time‐
sensitive applications such as augmented reality and tactile networks thus allowing
mobile devices to run computation‐intensive and latency‐critical applications more
effectively. This also translates into improved QoE for the consumers [20].
● Higher Efficiency Gains: By storing contents locally at the edge of mobile networks
closer to user applications, the need for frequent traveling of data through the backhaul
channel is largely reduced, hence increasing efficiency gains. Contents targeted for the
backhaul channel are more efficiently transmitted through opportunistic networking
techniques, thereby reducing the signal load of the core network.
● Backhaul Capacity Gains: This comes from the reduced volume of signaling on the
core network. Content caching has shown the potential for up to 35% reduction in
backhaul capacity requirement [22]. Caching of local Domain Name System (DNS)
could result to as much as 20% reduction in content download time [21].
● Cost Savings: This comes in multiple folds; first we have major cost savings on data
delivery and in processing power and energy requirements; this constitutes a major
part of the CAPEX for service providers. Then we also have some critical backhaul
expenditure savings, which translates into reduced OPEX.
● Real‐time RAN Information: This benefit is mainly experienced by application
designers and content providers. With MEC, operators can open their RAN edge to
authorized third parties, hence providing real‐time network information at the edge
IoT
Internet
Connected
vehicle
Augmented
reality
Tactile services
Retail
Edge cloud
Apps &
Services
Apps Core
N/W
MEC
Server/
C-RAN
E t h e r n e t /I P
B a c k h a u l
M2M
Health
Big Data
Mobile
Core
eNodeB
Figure 16.4 MEC system reference model.
382
application server platform into mobile base stations, its key characterizing features
being proximity to data source, application services, RAN technologies and users [20].
MEC offers the following benefits:
● Reduced Latency: Extending computing resources to the edge of the network means
faster arrival for network packets, and hence faster starts for streamed and real‐time
contents. MEC eliminates lengthy round trip delays to central servers and provides
local support for application services, making the network more suitable for time‐
sensitive applications such as augmented reality and tactile networks thus allowing
mobile devices to run computation‐intensive and latency‐critical applications more
effectively. This also translates into improved QoE for the consumers [20].
● Higher Efficiency Gains: By storing contents locally at the edge of mobile networks
closer to user applications, the need for frequent traveling of data through the backhaul
channel is largely reduced, hence increasing efficiency gains. Contents targeted for the
backhaul channel are more efficiently transmitted through opportunistic networking
techniques, thereby reducing the signal load of the core network.
● Backhaul Capacity Gains: This comes from the reduced volume of signaling on the
core network. Content caching has shown the potential for up to 35% reduction in
backhaul capacity requirement [22]. Caching of local Domain Name System (DNS)
could result to as much as 20% reduction in content download time [21].
● Cost Savings: This comes in multiple folds; first we have major cost savings on data
delivery and in processing power and energy requirements; this constitutes a major
part of the CAPEX for service providers. Then we also have some critical backhaul
expenditure savings, which translates into reduced OPEX.
● Real‐time RAN Information: This benefit is mainly experienced by application
designers and content providers. With MEC, operators can open their RAN edge to
authorized third parties, hence providing real‐time network information at the edge
IoT
Internet
Connected
vehicle
Augmented
reality
Tactile services
Retail
Edge cloud
Apps &
Services
Apps Core
N/W
MEC
Server/
C-RAN
E t h e r n e t /I P
B a c k h a u l
M2M
Health
Big Data
Mobile
Core
eNodeB
Figure 16.4 MEC system reference model.