The network computing chain faces a changing reality over the coming years. According to the latest version of the Ericsson Mobility Report, a surge in consumer device capabilities and data-intensive content will see global data traffic rise fourfold by 2025. Industries, entering the fray for the first time, will place ultra-low-latency and high-privacy demands on the network through time-critical and massive-data use cases such as autonomous transport, remote robotics, smart factories and cross reality.
In all of these cases, the place at which the data is processed whether it be in a centralized data center or at the edge of cloud will have an immense impact on both latency and how the massive amounts of data are managed. Not only do these factors impact enterprise and network efficiency, but they will soon be critical in safeguarding human life.
For Azimeh Sefidcon, Ericsson's Research Director for Cloud Systems and Platforms, that's why edge computing represents a critical technological step forward, not only for 5G, but also 6G and beyond: The new demands of today's industrial use cases have led us into this new paradigm of computing. Edge computing allows us to reduce latency, while also providing improved flexibility, privacy and efficiency in managing the network.
Future use cases such as the Internet of Senses and autonomous transport systems provide examples as to why edge computing and a fully-integrated network computing chain will be so critical moving forward.
For use cases which demand ultra-low latency and the high data privacy, such as manufacturing, autonomous vehicles and haptic response, only computing which is embedded within the network can provide the necessary real-time translation and processing of the data, Azimeh says. It also enables the enterprise to keep the data in-house which increases data protection.
The move to edge is also part of a broader evolution of 5G toward more niche, tailormade business models. As the network platform moves deeper into industries, service providers have an opportunity to tailor a service model unique to the enterprise profile, use case and vertical being addressed. Ericsson solutions including NFVi, Edge Gravity, Dynamic Orchestration and network slicing provide opportunities to tailor such models and be first to tomorrow's business.
We have overcome the technical challenges. What now makes this area interesting is the many different variants of business model that are possible, Azimeh says. The question is, which role does each provider want to play in this value chain? And which partnerships will they choose to make that happen?
The cloud ecosystem
A challenge which exists in today's cloud ecosystem is that it is fragmented. Closing this computing gap from data center to device will depend on the collaboration of network service providers and cloud ecosystem actors, such as hyperscale cloud providers, operational technology companies and system integrators.
A similar collaboration is already evident with today's LTE use cases. We can make a phone call or access a server on the other side of the world and barely notice how it travels through so many different networks.
As use cases become increasingly time-critical and demand increased privacy, this global connected network fabric must evolve such that it provides seamless support for applications. The introduction of cloud native design in telecom is the first fundamental step to achieving this.
To close this gap and, importantly, maximize the value for service providers, Ericsson is already engaging other partners and players in the field.
For more than ten years, we have been working hard to bring these pieces together, Azimeh says. When it comes to developing research for use cases, we never develop something in isolation. Instead, we really engage with the industry so that what we develop a solution that has longevity and value.
Beyond the edge?
Azimeh believes that we are ultimately moving toward something much more integrated which she refers to as the network compute fabric. This form of computing, taking place within the fabric of the network, could not only satisfy latency demands but also the computing that is needed to play as the execution environment for the application.
It offers benefits from the perspective of both the user and app developer, Azimeh says. It would allow us to deploy applications in one environment and having it portable to any other environment without the need for developers to adapt the application. If, for example, the processing power or data storage in an autonomous car reaches its limit, there will be no need for a change in the application as that processing can seamlessly happen in the network.
No matter the use cases of the future, it's clear that the world of today and tomorrow belongs firmly to the edge of the network. Distributed cloud computing is paving the way for the future of network communications and, rather than waiting for 5G, service providers should already be looking to build tomorrows business models today.
Explore the latest trends and insights within edge computing and the industrial cloud.
Find out more about Ericsson's use cases and solutions across the distributed cloud.
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
09/09/2026
New parts aimed at hip-hop and pop productions
The latest update to Celemony's innovative virtual session musician expands the collection of built-in in...
09/09/2026
Save up to 40% until 21 September 2026
Sonarworks are currently running their Autumn Sale, with discounts of up to 40% currently available across their rang...
09/09/2026
Upcoming title officially launches in September 2026
Bjooks' celebrations for this year's 909 Day will be welcome news amongst drum machine lovers, ...
09/09/2026
Wednesday 9 September 2026
Tom Daley adds final stitch to giant Baa-Ewe' t...
09/09/2026
Red Seat Ventures Integrates Barometer into Speakeasy to Maximize Podcast Revenu...
09/09/2026
Baselight-powered color comes natively to Media Composer, connecting creative de...
09/09/2026
RT brings three packed days of live radio, entertainment, news, weather and fun
Join RT Radio 1: Morning Ireland, Oliver Callan, Today with David McCullagh,...
08/09/2026
Built for rap producers, by rap producers
Sauceware Audio, the independent plug-in company founded by Grammy-nominated producer Jacob (Travis Scott, 21 Sava...
08/09/2026
Classic Sound Techniques design revived
Warm Audio's latest release delivers a meticulous recreation of the preamp circuitry employed by the Sound Techn...
08/09/2026
Latest soft synth inspired by the Memorymoog
XILS Lab have just launched a software instrument that draws its inspiration from Moog's iconic Memorymoog,...
08/09/2026
September 08, 2026 NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Soundcraft today announced the launch of its Signature Plus Series Analog Connected Mixing Consoles. As the next genera...
08/09/2026
Tuesday 8 September 2026
Sky Go gets a major upgrade for Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers
Today, Sky launches a new version of the Sky Go app for Sky Glass ...
08/09/2026
Documentary thriller simulating a Russian attack on UK soil will culminate in a live final episode reuniting the playersTuesday 8 September 2026
Trailer releas...
08/09/2026
Tuesday 8 September 2026
Jamie Demetriou and Amelia Dimoldenberg to host next t...
08/09/2026
Wuppertal September 8, 2026
Riedel Introduces New OnAir Headset PlatformRiedel Communications today announced the launch of its new OnAir headset platform, a...
08/09/2026
BERLIN, September 8, 2026 - J nger Audio will introduce a major expansion of its flexAI audio processing platform at IBC 2026. The flexAI system adds autonomous...
08/09/2026
New Vendor-Agnostic Broadband Intelligence Fabric Reduces Operational Complexity and Improves Service Quality for Broadband Service Providers SAN JOSE, Calif. -...
08/09/2026
Arvato Systems Brings TI Expertise to the Stage
Panels, workshops, and real-world examples at the TI-SUMMIT 2026
Arvato Systems, a partner of the TI-SUMMIT 2...
08/09/2026
On October 1, Apple Arcade is rolling out a lineup of fun new games for players ...
07/09/2026
Two new full-range, flat-response cabinets introduced
HeadRush have recently introduced a pair of new full-range, flat-response cabinets designed for player...
07/09/2026
Answering questions about AI in game audio
GameSoundCon, the largest professional conference for video game music and sound design, have announced that they...
07/09/2026
New directional headset mic on show at IBC
Just ahead of this week's IBC show, DPA have announced the launch of a new directional headset that's bee...
07/09/2026
We are not building systems to replace human decision-making; we are building systems that execute our decisions at machine speed. The media companies that win ...
07/09/2026
Monday 7 September 2026
Freddie Meredith joins cast of SNL UK ahead of start of Season 2
Freddie Meredith Images
ZIP (3MB)
Saturday Night Live UK announces ...
07/09/2026
Monday 7 September 2026
Sky and NFTS team up to launch new routes into screen careers
Sky has today announced a new apprenticeship programme, with application...
07/09/2026
Monday 7 September 2026
Sky Sports announces most comprehensive NFL coverage to...
07/09/2026
Dolby, MainConcept, Techex and J nger Audio will showcase the industry's first demonstration of Serial Audio Definition Model (S-ADM) in a cloud-based produ...
07/09/2026
dB Broadcast will showcase APIS Hive, its software platform for designing, deploying and managing modern broadcast infrastructures, at IBC 2026.
Developed from...
07/09/2026
552,000 streams on RT Player
The historic fight, which saw Katie Taylor become...
06/09/2026
Recreates Rolands TB-303 & MC-202
BS-203 MacroAcidizer is the first virtual instrument from Born Second, and it offers a recreation of two Roland classics -...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
05/09/2026
MK2 & Bass system control app improved
HEDD Audio have just launched a new and improved version of the control software that pairs with their MK2 and Bass m...
04/09/2026
Media organisations interested in the Media Innovation Europe 3.0 Business Innovation Synergizer (BIS) can now consult a new FAQ document providing additional a...
04/09/2026
Powerful new soft synth announced
Traveler is the first software instrument to be released by KeySolutions Sounds, and it's an ambitious one! Said to co...
04/09/2026
Free virtual instrument range expanded
The latest expansion of e-instruments' free Fragments series introduces a packed-down version of the company'...
04/09/2026
Company recognised for second time
Two years after winning an Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Award for dxRevive Pro, Accentize have been recognised ...
04/09/2026
Bilbao - 3rd September 2026 -AgileTV, a leading provider of end-to-end TV and vi...
04/09/2026
RT ANNOUNCE NEW DRAMA THE MURDER OF MR. MOONLIGHT
BASED ON THE DISAPPEARANCE...
03/09/2026
Yospace will be at IBC from 11th - 14th September (booth 5.C78). For more inform...
03/09/2026
Create musical synth bass sounds from scratch
Anthony Marinelli Music have recently announced the launch of Bass DNA, a new online course that teaches music...
03/09/2026
Most powerful Tonex hardware to date
IK Multimedia's latest release introduces their most advanced Tonex hardware unit to date, combining their AI Machi...
03/09/2026
Upmix & downmix software upgraded
Penteo Audio Plugins have announced that the latest version of their powerful upmix and downmix software is now available....
03/09/2026
With the start of the new apprenticeship year, young talent has once again begun their professional careers at SGL Carbon's sites in Germany. Recently, the ...
03/09/2026
With the industry increasingly embracing hybrid, software-defined production models, Calrec will preview a series of Argo and ImPulseV software enhancements at ...
03/09/2026
Luxembourg, 03 September 2026 - SES, a space solutions company, extends its collaboration with the Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Per ) to deliver sovereig...
03/09/2026
Thursday 3 September 2026
Jeff Goldblum announced as host of Saturday Night Liv...
03/09/2026
Wuppertal September 3, 2026
Gonshiro Strengthens Collaboration With Riedel, AR...
The network computing chain faces a changing reality over the coming years. According to the latest version of the Ericsson Mobility Report, a surge in consumer device capabilities and data-intensive content will see global data traffic rise fourfold by 2025. Industries, entering the fray for the first time, will place ultra-low-latency and high-privacy demands on the network through time-critical and massive-data use cases such as autonomous transport, remote robotics, smart factories and cross reality.
