SK Telecom announced on March 14 that it will establish 'Mobile Edge Computing Open Platform' that dramatically increases response speed of 5G data telecommunication.
Mobile Edge Computing creates a 'data transfer shortcut' to minimize latency that can occur during the transfer process. This method reduces transmission time by installing small data centers at 5G base stations or exchanges.
Usually it has gone through at least four steps to transfer data from a 5G Smartphone to an internet data center.
However through Mobile Edge Computing technology, processes are reduced to up to 2 stages. The company stressed that data latency will be reduced by up to 60 percent. SK Telecom is going to open MEC platform outside so that partners can provide related services more easily.
Developers can improve the quality of their customers' service experience by linking SK Telecom's MEC platform.
For example, MEC can be applied to Smart Factory to increase response speed of variety of robots that are powered by 5G.
It is expected that MEC technology will be useful in AR/ VR services, cloud games, self-driving, vehicle control and live broadcasts that require extreme response speed.
In addition, SK Telecom provides an open application programming interface so that business partners can receive variety of data and functions necessary to develop services.
"We have prepared a foundation for opening MEC platforms, expanding related ecosystems, and accelerating release of 5G services," said Park Jin-hyo, director of ICT Technology Center at SK Telecom. "We will expand our MEC-based services through cooperation with various domestic and foreign companies."