U.S. Enterprise Edge Computing Spending Forecast, 2019-2024

Edge computing (EC) – and there are several different versions/approaches – emerged on the wireless industry stage several years ago. It has the potential to be as disruptive a technology as anything that is being discussed today – 5G, NFV/SDN, Open RAN, etc. In fact, edge computing is quite likely to help realize the promise of 5G particularly since the new 5G system architecture is designed to capitalize on virtualization.

iGR defines an edge computing hardware platform as a secure, virtualized platform which can be “opened up” to third parties – content providers, application developers, etc. That platform might incorporate an LTE radio (including the CBRS band), Wi-Fi, 5G NR or some combination of them. Today, most edge compute implementations use Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi and not cellular. Over time, iGR believes that will change as more private LTE networks (primarily based on CBRS) get deployed and more 4G/5G-based IoT devices are brought to market.

In this market study, iGR discusses edge computing, especially how it relates to the mobile industry, provides in depth case studies of successful edge computing deployments, and forecasts enterprise spending on EC-based solutions for the U.S. market from 2019 to 2024.

---

Key Questions Answered

• What is edge computing and how does it work?
• What is the ETSI Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) initiative?
• What are the focuses of other edge computing consortiums and initiatives, such as Open Networking Foundation (ONF), CORD Project, Open Edge Computing (OEC), Open Compute, EdgeX Foundry, 5G Future Forum and Telco Edge Cloud?
• How does edge computing relate to the public cloud, especially when a mobile operator (MNO) deploys at the edge? What are some recent MNO / public cloud partnerships?
• To date, where and how have edge computing solutions been successfully deployed?
• What are some of the perceived benefits and issues related to edge computing?
• Which vendors have products and services to support edge computing?
• What are the edge computing strategies / initiatives / partnerships of the major U.S. mobile operators?
• What is the total addressable market for edge computing in the U.S?
• How many commercial buildings, manufacturing buildings and agricultural sites (farms) will likely deploy edge computing in the U.S. over the next five years??
• How much enterprise spending is likely to occur on EC-based solutions?

---

Who Should Read

• Data center OEMs and operators
• Mobile operators
• Infrastructure OEMs
• Computing infrastructure OEMs
• Small cell product and solution vendors
• Backhaul service providers and equipment OEMs
• Financial analysts and investors.

---

Table of Contents

• Abstract
• Executive Summary
• What this Means
• Methodology
• 5G Defined
• URLLC
• Massive IoT
• 5G Services and Use Cases
• What is Edge Computing?
• ETSI Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC)
• Other Edge Computing Initiatives
• Criteria around what goes at the edge
• Where can edge compute be placed?
• Edge computing in 4G
• Edge Computing and 5G
• Brief overview of MEC building blocks
• Edge Computing with Public Cloud and the MNO
• Summary
• Enterprise Edge Computing Use Cases
• Pirelli Cyber Tire
• Haga Golf – Automated Greenskeeping
• BioSticker – Remote IoT monitoring of patient vital signs
• Davos Street Lighting
• Smart Wine – Beverage Integrity Tracking
• Preventive Maintenance at the Edge
• Smart School Crossing for Children
• Smart Trucks, Safe Truck Drivers
• Autonomous Disinfection – Reducing Infections and Protecting Healthcare Workers
• Light-Guided Inventory Picking
• Smart Kegs – Happy Customers and Happy Suppliers
• Copper Theft Monitoring
• Monitoring the Autostrade in Italy
• Pros & Cons of Edge Computing for Enterprises
• Benefits of Edge Computing
• Cons of Edge Computing
• Potential Enterprise Locations for Edge Compute in the U.S.
• Commercial Buildings
• Agriculture
• Manufacturing Buildings
• Enterprise Edge Compute Spending Forecast
• Methodology and Assumptions
• Edge Compute Forecast – TAM
• Edge Compute Forecast – Actuals
• Edge Compute Forecast – Spending
• Edge Computing Vendor Profiles
• ADLINK
• ADVA Optical Networking
• Affirmed Networks
• Altiostar
• Altran Americas
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• American Tower
• Athonet
• AT&T
• CBRE
• Cisco
• CommScope
• Compass Datacenters
• CPLANE.ai
• Crown Castle
• DartPoints
• Dell Technologies
• ECI Telecom / Ribbon Communications
• EdgeConneX
• EdgeMicro
• Equinix
• Ericsson
• GE Digital
• HPE
• Huawei
• IBM
• Iguazio
• Intel
• JMA Wireless
• Juniper Networks
• Limelight Networks
• Mavenir
• Microsoft
• MobiledgeX
• NetFoundry
• Nokia Networks
• NVIDIA
• Packet, an Equinix Company
• Pensando
• Quortus
• Radisys
• RTI (Real-Time Innovations)
• Saguna Networks
• SBA Communications Corporation (SBA)
• StackPath
• STRATACACHE
• T-Mobile US
• Vapor IO
• Verizon
• Vertical Bridge
• VMware
• ZephyrTel
• ZTE Corporation
• Definitions
• About iGR
• Disclaimer

---

List of Tables

• Table A: Enterprise Spending on Edge Computing, 2019-2024 ($M)
• Table 1: U.S. Commercial Buildings by CBECS Building Category
• Table 2: Farm Operations by NAICS Sub-sector
• Table 3: U.S. Manufacturing Sites by MECS Category
• Table 4: U.S. Enterprise Edge Compute TAM, 2019-2024 by Sector (000)
• Table 5: U.S. Enterprise Edge Compute Actual Deployments, 2019-2024 by Sector (000)
• Table 6: U.S. Enterprise Edge Spending, 2019-2024 by Sector ($M)
• Definitions Table

---

List of Charts and Figures

• Figure A: Enterprise Spending on Edge Computing, 2019-2024 ($M)
• Figure 1: The 4G LTE Network without Edge Computing
• Figure 2: The 4G LTE Network with Edge Computing behind the EPC
• Figure 3: The 4G LTE Network with Edge Computing in front of the EPC
• Figure 4: 5G System Architecture – Network Function Interactions, Non-roaming
• Figure 5: Non-roaming architecture for the NEF
• Figure 6: Example of an Integrated MEC Deployment in a 5G Network
• Figure 7: Illustrating Edge Computing in 5G
• Figure 8: Example of an Integrated MEC Deployment in a 5G Network
• Figure 9: MEC Server Building Blocks
• Figure 10: MEC Reference Architecture
• Figure 11: Edge Computing with the MNO
• Figure 12: Edge Computing with the MNO and Public Cloud
• Figure 13: Edge Computing with the MNO, Enterprise and Public Cloud
• Figure 14: Pirelli Cyber Tire Communications
• Figure 15: Interface of IoT collection and Live Objects
• Figure 16: BioHub and BioSticker
• Figure 17: BioButton, placed next to a smartphone
• Figure 18: Interact City Solution
• Figure 19: Limecam mounted on vehicle for lighting measurement
• Figure 20: Overview of Beverage Integrity Tracking
• Figure 21: CapGemini XIoT Architecture
• Figure 22: Preventive Maintenance Architecture
• Figure 23: Thermal sensing of a pedestrian
• Figure 24: Barcoded bins traveling through an automated warehouse
• Figure 25: SteadyServ iKeg Solution Architecture
• Figure 26: Faults observed by sensors, overlaid on a photo of a bridge
• Figure 27: U.S. Enterprise Edge Compute TAM, 2019-2024 by Sector (000)
• Figure 28: U.S. Enterprise Edge Compute Actual Deployments, 2019-2024 by Sector (000)
• Figure 29: U.S. Enterprise Edge Spending, 2019-2024 by Sector ($M)
• Figure 30: U.S. Enterprise Edge Spending, 2019-2024 ($M)

For additional information on the U.S. Enterprise Edge Computing Spending Forecast, 2019-2024 market study, please contact Iain Gillott, at (512) 263-5682 or by email.