O2 has announced that it’s partnering with Microsoft to launch a new Proof of Concept (PoC) that will look at the benefits of on-premise Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) within a Private 5G Network. The partners will be looking to establish safer and more efficient data management as a result of the trial.
As part of the arrangement between the firms, the Private 5G Network will run on Microsoft’s Azure platform and leverage Azure Private Edge Zones. Commenting on the partnership, Yousef Khalidi, corporate vice president, Azure for Operators at Microsoft, said:
“Through our collaboration with O2, we will enable enterprises to leverage 5G to unlock new scenarios that accelerate digital transformation within their own private, on-premises environments. Combining Azure technology with O2 services is critical to bringing MEC to the enterprise edge, and we look forward to seeing customers leverage this platform to drive innovation across a broad range of information and operational technology applications.”
Unfortunately, O2 did not specify how long the trial will be conducted for so it’s impossible to say when customers will be able to leverage the Mobile Edge Computing being operated by the two firms. O2 did mention, however, that it would also be working with Microsoft for Startups to help support the startup ecosystem in the UK to develop new 5G solutions.