Pushing the edge to net zero

This Spotlight is part of a research series in partnership with Dell and Intel on the use of edge compute and RAN as part of sustainability strategy. Following the publication of "The next generation of operator sustainability" and "Open RAN: engineering for energy efficiency", this analysis examines edge compute and the energy (saving) considerations made possible by positioning servers closer to end users.

Edge is, by definition, a continuum along which processing power resides in relation to the person or business using it. The huge rise in mobile data traffic forecast over the remainder of the decade means both edge and cloud compute will have to handle higher capacity loads. However, deciding when and where to use each should factor in energy use, just as traditional performance metrics such as speed and latency have been to date. How should this be done?