TORONTO — Having entered into an agreement last year with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to collaborate on 5G edge computing, Bell Canada announced yesterday the launch of public multi-access edge computing (MEC) with AWS Wavelength.
Bell says in its press release it is the first Canadian telecom company to offer AWS-powered public MEC to business customers.
As part of the companies’ agreement, Bell and AWS are deploying AWS Wavelength Zones across Canada at the edge of Bell’s 5G network, starting in Toronto with additional locations to follow, the release says.
“Bell Public MEC with AWS Wavelength embeds AWS compute and storage services at the edge of the Bell 5G network, closer to mobile and connected devices where data is generated and consumed,” the release explains.
“This enables software developers and businesses to take full advantage of the high speed and low latency of Bell’s 5G network and the cloud with AWS to build innovative, low-latency solutions that leverage real-time visual data processing, augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), advanced robotics, and much more.”
AWS Wavelength is optimized for MEC applications and, when deployed on service providers’ 5G networks, “provides seamless access to cloud services running in AWS Regions,” the release says. “By doing so, AWS Wavelength minimizes the latency and network hops required to connect from a 5G device to an application hosted on AWS.”
“With general availability of AWS Wavelength Zones on Canada’s fastest network, it becomes possible for businesses to tap into all-new capabilities, reaching new markets and serving customers in exciting new ways,” Jeremy Wubs, senior vice-president of product, marketing and professional services for Bell Business Markets, said in the release.
“With our help, customers are thinking bigger, innovating faster and pushing boundaries like never before. Our team of experts are with customers every step of the way on their digital transformation journey. With our ongoing investments in supporting emerging MEC use cases, coupled with our end-to-end security built into our 5G network, we are able to give Canadian businesses a platform to innovate, harness the power of 5G and drive competitiveness for their businesses,” Wubs said.
Montreal-based clothing retailer Rudsak is one of the first businesses to use Bell Public MEC with AWS Wavelength to create an immersive experience for its online customers.
“Rudsak worked with Bell and AWS to deploy Summit Tech’s immersive shopping platform, Odience, to offer its customers an immersive and seamless virtual shopping experience with live sales associates and the ability to see merchandise up close,” the release explains.
“With 360-degree cameras at its pop-up locations and launch events, Rudsak customers can browse the racks and view a new product line via their smartphones or VR headsets from either the comfort of their own home or while on the go.”
“With Bell’s Public MEC and AWS Wavelength we are able to offer new, fully immersive shopping experiences to our customers. Shoppers can virtually explore our new arrivals and interact in real-time with our staff and industry experts during interactive events and pop-ups,” said Evik Asatoorian, Rudsak’s president and founder, in the release.
“Thanks to the hard work, support and expertise of Bell, AWS and Summit Tech, we were able to successfully deliver our first immersive/interactive shopping event with the quality, innovation and excellence that our brand is known for.”
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