The perfect pairing for a fast 5G network: MEC.
To understand the incredible performance of Verizon’s 5G vs competing networks, we break down some of the key differences and terminology.
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At Verizon, we’re known for having incredibly fast and reliable networks. But what’s the difference between our 4G LTE and 5G Ultra Wideband networks? Is it just one “G”?
The answer is yes and no. Having that extra “G” is part of it, but there’s more to it than that.
The “5G” in our 5G network stands for “fifth generation” and it represents a dramatic increase in speed over our “fourth generation” LTE network, which is fast in its own right.
But that’s not always the case. That’s partly because our 5G network runs on a much higher frequency known as “millimeter wave”, while other carriers (T-Mobile) run on lower frequencies.
In addition, our 5G runs on an “Ultra Wideband” network - that refers to our investment in spectrum assets - you might call them “larger pipes” - which provide faster speeds and more capacity. In a future where billions of smartphones and other devices demand more data, our 5G Ultra Wideband network will be ready for you.
But even those two major points of difference are only part of the story. We pair our 5G network with Multi-access Edge Computing, an innovation that puts data in the cloud. But instead of that cloud being hundreds or thousands of miles away, MEC brings the computing power as close to the end user as possible - or put another way - to the “edge” of the network (hence the name). The close proximity means the data has a shorter round trip, which makes for near instantaneous responses.
To understand more about how the pairing of MEC with a 5G network improves the experience of the end user, check out the video above.
