6G’s Potential Lies with Distributed Compute and Edge-to-Cloud

Market Overview

Distributed compute and edge-to-cloud strategies, while showing great promise, remain niche in the 5G era. Although distributed compute will become more commonplace as we approach 5G-Advanced, it’s the age of 6G when it will take on a principal role. Even though 6G is still in its infancy, that hasn’t stopped a number of companies, such as Samsung, Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, LG, and ZTE, from starting Research & Development (R&D).

Distributed intelligence, enabled by the edge, makes brand new use cases possible, but it’s also very expensive and there are still many knowledge gaps that need to be filled in. The expectations surrounding 6G, which won’t see rollouts until 2029, are high, to say the least. Besides revolutionary advances in connectivity specs, 6G will be judged by its ability to do good for the world.

If telcos and vendors plan on finding success in the next cellular generation, they should start preparing the roadmap to 6G today and learn how to leverage distributed intelligence to get there.

“The distributed compute and edge-to-cloud strategies remain nascent, acting in a supporting role to 5G networks. With the evolution toward 5G-Advanced (5G-A) and 6G, ABI Research expects distributed compute to play a more central, even leading, role in network deployments and enterprise applications.” - Reece Hayden, Analyst at ABI Research

Figure 1: Expected Deployment Timeline for 6G  (Source: 6G Sentinel Whitepaper)

Key Decision Items

Start Building a Cloud Network

The cloud is going to be the foundation of a 6G network, so it’s imperative that telcos begin devising a plan now to build cloud infrastructure to embrace the virtualization of telcos . Telco business models will revolve around Virtualized Network Functions (VNF), which is a services-led approach that relies less on physical equipment. The telco cloud is the answer to the demands of the enterprise that seeks a flexible, uncomplicated, and cost-friendly network. Operators have four choices when it comes to building edge-to-cloud solutions: build it themselves, partner with a hyperscaler (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc.), merge with or acquire another company, or work with the rest of the telecoms ecosystem.

Understand Why Distributed Compute Will Be a Mainstay in 6G

Whereas distributed compute plays a supporting role for 5G devices, it will play a leading role in 6G deployments. 6G networks will involve unprecedented levels of data, as enterprises expand the number of deployed connected devices and coverage is expanded to underdeveloped regions. An edge solution, such as Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC), will significantly improve reliability and latency because the data are transmitted in a siloed network close to the source. Even more, many of the promises of 6G would be impossible, or severely limited, without an application of distributed compute. For example, 6G can support remote surgery, but this requires a guaranteed connection during operation. A traditional cloud network cannot be fully relied on in this scenario. However, if medical devices are connected via the edge, connectivity will be ensured.

The edge will also help companies promote sustainability—one of the pillars of 6G. With a distributed compute approach, the frequency of backhauling will decrease and device power consumption will be reduced. For the best course of action, it’s also recommended to use a “green” data center that leverages energy-efficient technologies to limit carbon emissions.

Prepare to Go beyond “Faster”

While 5G and 5G-Advanced focus primarily on faster connectivity, telcos are expected to address “real-world problems” with the advent of 6G, and edge computing will greatly support those efforts. Yes, the near-zero latency and 10,000X traffic levels will be welcomed by end users, but enterprises will seek ways to make a positive impact on society and the environment. Indeed, this will be one of the driving forces behind 6G adoption. For example, MEC can be used to make operations run more efficiently, which reduces a company’s carbon footprint.

Some other societal expectations of 6G include global coverage, greater cost efficiency, end-user customization, and an improved understanding of how data can be used for value creation. Again, these are items with which MEC naturally assists.

To Expedite Edge-to-Cloud Development, Telecoms Industry Players Must Combine Resources

The technological convergence required for a 6G "distributed intelligent network” will necessitate an open mind to collaboration. For Artificial intelligence (AI), distribute compute, and networking to all work together harmoniously, ecosystem players must work toward building a virtualized telco cloud business model. Furthermore, companies should help each other make up for their lack of competencies in select areas. As an example, telcos, in desperate need of ramping up their development and scaling an edge-to-cloud strategy, often lack the necessary skills to do so. But with the right alliance(s), they can pave the road to the edge-first 6G era.

Work toward Standardization

6G and, subsequently, distributed compute, will undoubtedly involve a wide variety of technologies, which presents greater convolution to deployment. With that in mind, it’s of great importance that the standardization of infrastructure, components, and equipment are established sooner, rather than later. These technologies include AI, Compute-as-a-Service, Radio Access Network (RAN), and edge/cloud. Industry openness will also lower the cost of deployment, as there’s less need for innovation. For example, to solve for AI standardization, virtualized platforms could be created whereby common formats and reusable code are supplied to operators.

Another example is the standardization of chipsets. Not only would the supply of chipsets for the telco industry increase due to manufacturing simplification, but it would also ease the deployment process. The same could be said for radio equipment as well.

Build as-a-Service Platforms

To bring flexibility and scalability to the 6G network, operators and vendors alike should explore as-a-Service (aaS) offerings. This includes Compute-as-a-Service, Edge-as-a-Service, Network-as-a-Service (NaaS), and AI-as-a-Service. Alternatively, telcos could offer Everything-as-a-Service (XaaS) for enterprises with significant demands. By implementing an End-to-End (E2E) aaS solution, operators can reduce costs/effort and focus more time on monetizing the virtualized network. Plus, there’s no need to constantly upgrade physical infrastructure.

An aaS solution will benefit vendors, too, as it pairs well with a cloud-native ecosystem. Telcos will increasingly shop for platforms to build their edge-to-cloud networks on, while also looking for ways to reduce the complexity and cost of deployment. If vendors capitalize on the aaS business model, it will pave the way for telco commercialization of 6G hardware and software.

Key Market Players to Watch

• Ericsson
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Huawei
• Intel
• LG
• Nokia
• NTT DOCOMO
• Samsung
• Vodaphone Germany
• ZTE

Dig Deeper for the Full Picture

If you’d like to know more about how the telecoms industry can prepare for 6G and the deployment of distributed compute technologies, download ABI Research’s Unlocking the Value of 6G with Distributed Intelligence research report.

Not ready for the report yet? Check out our Governments and Data Center Processor Companies Confronting Supply Chain Calamities Research Highlight. This content is part of the company’s Distributed & Edge Computing Research Service.