AWS Wavelength
Definition
AWS Wavelength integrates compute and storage services directly into telecom providers' 5G networks, optimizing low-latency applications.
Use Cases
- Verizon: 5G edge compute for ultra-low-latency applications (e.g., AR/VR, real-time video analytics, interactive experiences) — Verizon integrates AWS Wavelength Zones into its 5G network so developers can run supported AWS services (such as EC2 and VPC networking) at the mobile edge, reducing round-trip latency for 5G users. (Enables developers to build and test applications that require single-digit millisecond latency for nearby 5G users, improving responsiveness compared to routing traffic to a distant AWS Region.)
- Vodafone: Multi-access edge computing (MEC) for latency-sensitive enterprise and consumer applications on 5G — Vodafone works with AWS Wavelength to provide Wavelength Zones within its 5G footprint, allowing workloads to run closer to end users while still using familiar AWS APIs and tooling. (Supports faster application response times for users on the operator network and simplifies deployment by extending AWS infrastructure to the 5G edge.)
- KDDI: Low-latency 5G edge workloads for applications such as real-time media processing and interactive services — KDDI collaborates with AWS to offer AWS Wavelength Zones on its 5G network, enabling customers to deploy AWS workloads at the network edge with VPC integration back to an AWS Region. (Improves end-user experience for latency-sensitive applications by reducing network distance and avoiding extra hops to centralized cloud locations.)
Provider Equivalents
- AWS: AWS Wavelength
- Azure: Azure private MEC (via Azure Operator Nexus / Azure Stack Edge in operator networks)
- GCP: Google Distributed Cloud Edge (telecom/edge deployments with operators)
- OCI: OCI Roving Edge Infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between AWS Wavelength and AWS Local Zones?
- AWS Wavelength runs inside a telecom provider’s 5G network to minimize latency for mobile devices on that carrier. AWS Local Zones are AWS-managed extensions of an AWS Region placed in a metro area for low-latency access from on-premises or local users, but they are not embedded inside a carrier’s 5G network.
- When should I use AWS Wavelength?
- Use AWS Wavelength when your users are primarily on 5G and your application needs extremely low latency (often single-digit milliseconds) or very consistent latency. Common examples include cloud gaming, AR/VR, real-time video analytics, industrial automation, and connected vehicle scenarios. If your users are mostly on Wi‑Fi or wired networks, or your app can tolerate higher latency, a standard AWS Region or a Local Zone is often simpler.
- How much does AWS Wavelength cost?
- Pricing depends on the AWS resources you run in the Wavelength Zone (for example, EC2 instances, EBS volumes, and data transfer). Costs typically include compute/storage usage plus data transfer charges, and rates can differ from standard Region pricing. The exact cost varies by instance type, volume size, and how much traffic stays within the carrier edge versus traverses back to an AWS Region or the internet. For accurate numbers, use the AWS Pricing pages and the AWS Pricing Calculator for your chosen Wavelength Zone and resources.
Category: cloud
Difficulty: advanced
Related Terms
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