LG U+ partners with Google to develop MEC technology

LG U+ will partner with Google to collaborate on mobile edge computing (MEC), a technique that brings computation and data storage closer to the devices being used to reduce latency on 5G networks.

The mobile carrier announced Sunday that the agreement is directed toward upgrading the technology, establishing an ecosystem for it and supported applications.

The set of initiatives will be built upon LG U+’s 5G network while Google Cloud will be used to offer advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning and platforms including Kubernetes, an open-source system for automating computer application deployment.

The telecom operator has been keen on deploying MEC in different situations as shown in a recent test transmitting a live video feed from a vehicle to the car behind it to prevent accidents.

Rival telecom companies are ramping up development of MEC through partnerships.

SK Telecom will provide a mobile edge cloud service built upon 5G wireless technology within the year in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

KT has joined an alliance with global telecom companies — Verizon of the United States, Britain’s Vodafone, Canada’s Roger’s, Mexico’s America Movil and Australia’s Telstra — to co-develop technology and standards for MEC.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]