New ETSI white paper: Harmonizing standards for edge computing, a synergized architecture leveraging ETSI ISG MEC and 3GPP specifications

Sophia Antipolis, 27 July 2020

Members and officials of the ETSI Multi-access Edge Computing group and the 3GPP SA WG6 have just published a new white paper which aims to harmonize standards for edge computing. The white paper highlights the role of standards for edge when edge computing is deployed in conjunction with mobile networks. It also reviews the leading efforts in the industry and introduces a synergized architecture which leverages the ETSI ISG MEC and 3GPP specifications. This paper highlights the value proposition of different standards streams and how those standards may be combined when it comes to deployments. Some deployment options are discussed.

ETSI MEC has created the foundation for edge computing and is widely recognized in the industry as the leading standards developing organization (SDO) for application enablement and edge computing. But overall speaking, the edge cloud ecosystem is still being developed. And as we are witnessing a rapid expansion of edge-related initiatives in the industry with duplicated solutions, the authors stress that in order to accelerate time-to-market and promote industry adoption, it is essential to ensure alignment, leverage synergies and offer common practices and tools for the developers. This will also help to simplify innovation co-creation with agile, plug-and-play value integration and accelerate time-to-market, promoting industry adoption for edge computing.

ETSI MEC has recently released a new specification to extend network information services to the world of WiFi and thus squarely into enterprises, adding a Group Specification to the 36 published since the inception of the ISG. MEC is well positioned to satisfy the needs of the GSMA Operator Platform as well as the Future Networks Cloud Native Platform as being specified in NGMN and help monetizing the operator’s network using MEC APIs; MEC is flexible and can be extended to fill gaps if identified and as needed. 

To know more about this initiative, read the full pdfwhite paper.