Google Cloud, a leading provider of cloud technology in the digital world, and AT&T, market-leading communications solution provider, announced the expansion of their collaboration recently. The two companies are now announcing new solutions within the 5G and Edge computing portfolio, including an AT&T on-premises solution for Multi-access Edge Computing, and a Network Edge offering through 5G, wireline, and LTE.
For more than a year, Google Cloud and AT&T have been developing solutions on the edge for the enterprise environment. The two companies are now working together to deliver transformative capabilities to assist businesses in driving real value and industry-changing experiences in healthcare, retail, entertainment, and manufacturing.
Creating New, Immersive Experiences
AT&T and Google Cloud have enhanced experiences in a range of environments, with the ability to use Android, Google Maps, Pixel, augmented reality, and VR solutions in Google for a better customer experience. For instance, video analytics services are available to support businesses in crowd control, queue management, and theft prevention.
In the retail environment, companies can streamline and automate inventory management for all kinds of business operations. Healthcare organisations are scaling access to services like remote therapy and using AR or VR for remote care. Manufacturing companies can work with the two brands to accelerate remote support and quality control checks at various locations, optimizing bandwidth usage with video on the edge.
Even entertainment companies are enhancing in-venue experiences for sporting and musical events, which can range from immersive Extended Reality experiences to ticketless entry tools. The companies are also working together to evaluate how to optimise applications with network APIs, using real-time networking formation on the Google Cloud edge.
The Next Steps for Google and AT&T
The new Multi-Access Edge Computing solution from AT&T combines the existing 5G and MEC offering with the core capabilities of Google Cloud, such as AI, Machine Learning, Kubernetes, data analytics, and Edge ISV ecosystems. The solution allows enterprises to run modern applications closer to their end-users, with the ability to manage data on-premises, in a customer data center, or in the cloud.
The AT&T Network Edge (ANE) offering with Google Cloud also enables enterprises to deploy applications at the Google POPs, and AT&T fibre and 5G networks. This low-latency environment provides faster experiences to end-users. The companies are currently planning a multi-year strategy to bring the solution to various zones across multiple cities. Google Cloud VP of Global Telecom George Nazi says combining the power of Google Cloud and AT&T helps enterprises to create new and improved experiences they couldn’t achieve before.
Premises-based 5G and computing on the edge gives customers more control over where data goes, how they use that data, and more. These capabilities allow businesses to deliver unique outcomes, both now and in the future. According to Jason Leigh, the research manager for mobile services and 5G research at IDC, 5G, the edge, and cloud services have a lot of promise as standalone services but combining them complementary tools extends the promise even further.
