Mobile edge computing provides unlimited possibilities for 5G innovation

At the "2017 China MEC Industry Development Conference" held during the China International Information and Communication Exhibition, Chen Lidong, Deputy Director of the Information and Communication Development Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that mobile edge computing (MEC) is an important service capability for 5G network architecture, and MEC provides the greatest possibility for 5G innovation.

He said that in recent years, information and communication technology has been developing and popularizing, and new technologies, new services and new applications have also developed very rapidly. For example, services with large traffic and bandwidth, such as video, have grown very fast, and these services have put forward higher requirements on the network. In August this year, the monthly traffic of my country's mobile users exceeded 1.8G. In countries and regions with high usage rates, the average monthly traffic of users has exceeded 10G. Therefore, the large-scale use of traffic has also put forward higher requirements and challenges for the entire mobile network.

[[205895]]

Chen Lidong pointed out that mobile edge computing is an important service capability for 5G network architecture. MEC can change the state of separation between network and business in traditional wireless communication systems, sink the business platform to the edge of the network closer to users, further improve network efficiency, enhance service capabilities, and enhance user experience. At the same time, it also provides unprecedented possibilities for service innovation at the mobile edge entrance.

Currently, the global industry is actively promoting the development of MEC standards, technologies and applications. ETSI and 3TPPI international standard organizations are conducting research on MEC and accelerating the networking and standardization work. Some international operators such as NTAT are also actively adopting MEC to promote MEC deployment.

Chen Lidong said that my country attaches great importance to the development of the MEC industry. Relying on national scientific research projects such as the new generation of broadband mobile communication networks and major projects, China supports the research and application of new network architectures such as MEC. The China Communications Standards Association has also launched relevant research work on 5G edge computing architecture and systems, and operators are also actively exploring MEC-related technology research and applications.

Last year, China Mobile adopted MEC technology in its existing 4G network, allowing mobile phone users to experience the live broadcast of F1 events almost simultaneously. During this year's Shanghai World Mobile Congress, China Unicom, together with Nokia, Intel and others, implemented solutions for 5G network smart venues. China Telecom also teamed up with Huawei to create smart factory scenarios to achieve local network management and local operations.

As an emerging technology, MEC is not only a technical platform for network edge virtualization, but also involves the overall network architecture, third-party application deployment, mobile network capability exposure, management and orchestration, etc. It will also bring challenges to the operation model. In this regard, Chen Lidong put forward three requirements:

***, speed up the progress of technology and product research and development. Through multi-channel investment such as national special funds, industrial funds and social capital, we will increase support and guidance, focus on promoting the collaboration of upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain such as technology research and development, equipment production and network applications, and continuously promote the development of MEC technology and the maturity of equipment.

Second, we should increase the promotion of application demonstration. At present, MEC technology research has achieved a series of results, and application promotion has been gradually carried out. We hope that the industry will take typical applications as the entry point and use demonstration applications to drive the maturity and industrialization of the entire technology.

Third, establish a sound standard system. Domestic and foreign industrial enterprises and research institutions need to strengthen communication, deepen cooperation, build consensus, coordinate standards, research and development, and achieve effective connection between industrialization and standardization.