Bell announced on Tuesday the launch of the first public multi-access edge computing (MEC) with Amazon Web Services (AWS) Wavelength in Canada.
Last year, Bell announced a partnership with AWS and now both companies are deploying the latter’s Wavelength Zones throughout the nation, starting in Toronto on the wireless carrier’s 5G network.
The partnership means AWS compute and storage services are now closer to customers using 5G networks, instead of being computed at far away centralized cloud data centres.
The result is lower latency, and higher bandwidth leveraging Bell’s 5G network, allowing solutions such as real-time visual data processing, augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), advanced robotics, and more according to Bell.
Bell gave examples of companies leveraging its 5G network and AWS in a media briefing, such as Drone Delivery Canada being “one step closer” to autonomous drones using the solution, able to get real-time video analysis thanks to 5G edge compute, instead of video data being processed from a centralized cloud server.
“By using enhanced video recognition capabilities powered by Bell Public MEC with AWS Wavelength, we’re making drone-based deliveries and logistics faster, safer and more cost-effective,” said Steve Magirias, CEO, Drone Delivery Canada.
Montreal leather goods retailer Rudsak is also using Bell and AWS to offer a virtual shopping experience with Summit Tech’s shopping platform, Odience. Customers can browse a Rudsak store at pop-up locations just by using their smartphone or a VR headset. Bell’s Public MEC with AWS Wavelength allows for a “high-quality, lag-free experience for retailers,” said Alido Di Giovanni, President at Summit Tech.
Bell also detailed how remote-controlled robot delivery service based in Toronto, Tiny Mile, is also using Bell and AWS for real-time data processing with low latency, required to avoid objects for safe delivery of goods to customers. Tiny Mile says the 5G edge compute solution will result in one step closer to fully autonomous deliveries, according to CEO Ignacio Tartavull.
