AWS offers superlow latency services
Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud service arm of Amazon, is riding the 5G adoption wave by offering services that embed computers and services at the edge of a mobile operator’s 5G network to serve developers building apps that require super-low latency.
The company is exploring the opportunity to work with mobile operators locally on this “Wavelength” service to facilitate new mobile applications with low latency.
“The arrival of 5G network services in Thailand will help complement and advance cloud computing service adoption among industry players, particularly for specific applications,” said Chawapol Jariyawiroj, country manager of AWS Thailand.
Dean Samuels, lead technologist for AWS in Asean, said mobile operators can embrace AWS Wavelength at the edge of their 5G network, which would support the creation of mobile applications that cater to end-users with single-digit millisecond latencies over 5G networks.
These apps could be used for augmented and virtual reality, Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous industrial equipment, autonomous vehicles, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
AWS is working with five mobile operators, including those in the US, Europe and South Korea. More operators are being sought in Asean.
Mr Samuels said the 5G roll-out would spur IoT usage, which in turn pushes up demand for edge computing that has the capacity to process data for end devices.
He said global research firm IDC found over 20% of Thailand’s cloud deployments would include edge computing by 2022, while 25% of endpoint devices and systems will execute AI algorithms.
AWS’s vision is to break through barriers by making cloud services more ubiquitous, said Mr Samuels.
The company also aims to serve businesses that need to store and secure workloads in the country because of data sensitivity.
To meet this need, AWS offers local zones, a new type of infrastructure development that places computers, storage, database and networks close to large populations and industry.
“The service can be called a ‘mini data centre’ or mini subset of AWS service”, said Mr Samuels.
“Regulated workloads and highly sensitive data will benefit from these services. AWS only has local zones in Los Angeles thus far.”
Mr Chawapol said large enterprises and conglomerates in Thailand demand local data storage for some critical workloads.
In the past five years, Thailand’s cloud adoption has changed from basic services to more advance features to handle critical workloads.
“Even under economic crises, cloud services are still growing as the service helps reduce cost and supports businesses with more agility towards digital transformation,” he said.