U.S. Enterprise Edge Computing Spending Forecast, 2021-2026

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

The edge computing market has also shifted significantly in the last two years. Originally designed by and for the telcos, edge compute is now firmly the purview of the hyperscalers. And as enterprises are deploying private wireless networks, so edge compute is part of the solution.

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 or 5G NR radio (including the CBRS band), Wi-Fi or some combination of them. Today, most edge compute implementations use Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi and not cellular. But this is likely to change relatively quickly, as more private LTE/5G 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 some of the successful edge computing deployments, and forecasts enterprise spending on EC-based solutions for the U.S. market from 2021 to 2026.

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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), Open Edge Computing Initiative, Open Compute Project, EdgeX Foundry, 5G Future Forum and Telco Edge Cloud Forum?
• 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/hyperscaler 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 enterprise edge computing?
• How much enterprise spending is likely to occur on EC-based solutions?

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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.

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Table of Contents

• Abstract
• Executive Summary
• What this Means
• Methodology
• What is Edge Computing?
• History of Edge Computing
• ETSI Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC)
• Other Edge Computing Initiatives
• Criteria around what goes at the edge
• Edge computing in 4G
• Brief overview of MEC building blocks
• Edge Computing with Public Cloud and the MNO
• Summary
• Enterprise Edge Computing Use Cases
• Corning Smart Factory
• 5G Mobile Gaming
• Basketball Analytics
• Live Content Broadcasting
• Crowd Management at Live Event Venues
• Supply Chain Quality Control
• Ford Valencia
• Davos Street Lighting
• Smart Wine – Beverage Integrity Tracking
• 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 – Spending
• Edge Computing Vendor Profiles
• ADLINK
• ADVA Optical Networking
• Affirmed Networks
• Alef
• Altiostar
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• American Tower
• Athonet
• Capgemini Engineering
• CBRE
• Cisco
• CommScope
• Compass Datacenters
• CPLANE.ai
• Crown Castle
• DartPoints
• Dell Technologies
• EdgeConneX
• EdgeMicro
• Equinix
• Ericsson
• Fastly
• Google / Alphabet
• GE Digital
• HPE
• Huawei
• IBM
• Iguazio
• Intel
• JMA Wireless
• Juniper Networks
• Limelight Networks
• Mavenir
• Microsoft
• MobiledgeX
• NetFoundry
• Nokia Networks
• NVIDIA
• Pensando
• Quortus
• Radisys
• RTI (Real-Time Innovations)
• Saguna Networks
• SBA Communications Corporation (SBA)
• StackPath
• Vapor IO
• Vertical Bridge
• VMware
• ZTE Corporation
• U.S. MNO Profiles
• AT&T
• DISH
• T-Mobile US
• Verizon
• Definitions
• About iGR
• Disclaimer

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List of Tables

• Table A: Enterprise Spending on Edge Computing, 2021-2026 ($M)
• Table 1: U.S. Commercial Buildings by CBECS Building Category
• Table 2: Farm Operations by NAICS Sub-sector
• Table 3: U.S. Manufacturing Sites by MECS Category
• Table 4: U.S. Enterprise Edge Spending, 2021-2026 by Sector ($M)
• Definitions Table

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List of Charts and Figures

• Figure A: U.S. Enterprise Spending on Edge Computing, 2021-2026 ($M)($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: MEC Server Building Blocks
• Figure 5: MEC Reference Architecture
• Figure 6: Edge Computing with the MNO
• Figure 7: Edge Computing with the MNO and Public Cloud
• Figure 8: Edge Computing with the MNO, Enterprise and Public Cloud
• Figure 9: Ford Engine Plant, Valencia, Spain
• Figure 10: Interact City Solution
• Figure 11: Limecam mounted on vehicle for lighting measurement
• Figure 12: Overview of Beverage Integrity Tracking
• Figure 13: Barcoded bins traveling through an automated warehouse
• Figure 14: SteadyServ iKeg Solution Architecture
• Figure 15: Faults observed by sensors, overlaid on a photo of a bridge
• Figure 16: U.S. Enterprise Edge Spending, 2021-2026 by Sector ($M)
• Figure 17: U.S. Enterprise Spending on Edge Computing, 2021-2026 ($M)
• Figure 18: Azure private MEC solution

For additional information on the U.S. Enterprise Edge Computing Spending Forecast, 2021-2026 market study, please contact Iain Gillott, at (512) 796-1675 or by email.