Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com company, has announced the general availability of AWS Wavelength on SK Telecom (SKT)’s 5G network, allowing developers to build ultra-low latency applications for mobile devices and users throughout South Korea. Customers can now deploy parts of their application that require ultra-low latency at the edge of 5G networks using the same AWS APIs, tools, and functionality they use today, while seamlessly connecting back to the rest of their application and the full range of Cloud services running in the AWS Asia Pacific (Seoul) Region. By embedding AWS compute and storage services at the edge of 5G networks, AWS enables developers to serve edge computing use cases that require ultra-low latency like machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and video and game streaming.
AWS Wavelength brings AWS services to the edge of the 5G network, minimizing the latency to connect to an application from a mobile device. With AWS Wavelength, AWS developers can deploy their applications to AWS Wavelength Zones (AWS infrastructure deployments that embed AWS compute and storage services within the telecommunication providers’ data centers at the edge of the 5G network) so application traffic only needs to travel from the device to a cell tower to an AWS Wavelength Zone running in a metro aggregation site. This removes the latency that results from accessing the Cloud using traditional mobile architectures that require multiple hops between regional aggregation sites and across the Internet and enables customers to take full advantage of 5G networks. AWS Wavelength also delivers a consistent developer experience across multiple 5G networks around the world and allows developers to build the next generation of ultra-low latency applications using the familiar AWS services, APIs, and tools they already use today. By providing a common developer experience, AWS Wavelength makes it easy for developers to deploy across different telecommunications providers even if these providers have different deployment and operations semantics.
SKT is a leading provider of mobile services and 5G technology in Korea and has rolled out 5G nationwide for consumers and businesses. The Korean information communications technology company offers low-latency 5G multi-access edge computing (MEC) solutions to support enterprises (e.g., security), industry (e.g. smart factory), developers (e.g., Cloud gaming), and consumers. AWS is collaborating with SKT to bring AWS infrastructure and services closer to customers across South Korea.
Developers that want to deploy their application to the 5G edge can simply extend their Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) to include the desired AWS Wavelength Zones, and then they can start running a broad range of AWS services, including Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS), Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), and Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS). In addition, developers can continue to use familiar and powerful AWS services to manage, secure, and scale their applications, like AWS CloudFormation, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), and AWS Auto Scaling, making it easy to run a wide variety of latency-sensitive workloads like analytics, IoT, machine learning, game streaming, and AR/VR on 5G networks.
“AWS is excited to collaborate with SKT to provide access to AWS compute and storage services directly within SKT’s 5G network and to fuel innovation across the region. With AWS Wavelength and SKT, developers can build the ultra-low latency applications needed for use cases like smart factories, autonomous vehicles, connected hospitals, and augmented and virtual reality-enhanced experiences,” said Dave Brown, Vice President, Amazon EC2, Amazon Web Services, Inc.
“In collaboration with AWS, SK Telecom has successfully integrated private 5G and edge Cloud. By leveraging this new technology, we will lead the efforts to create and expand innovative business models in-game, media services, logistics, and manufacturing industries,” said Ryu Young-sang, President of MNO at SK Telecom.
Deep Fine’s voice-controlled ARON augmented reality platform enables customers to collaborate in real-time across geographically dispersed industrial sites, using data-enriched visual imagery and information to enable quick responses to issues. “Deep Fine is working with 5G connected AR glasses for more efficient, accurate maintenance of public assets, such as roads, cell towers, fire hydrants, and water reservoirs, and overall public safety. AWS Wavelength on SKT’s 5G network will let us process enormous amounts of data and enable real-time communications between remote sites and corporate HQ so managers can assess data in real-time and make decisions faster,” said Hyunbae Kim, CEO of Deep Fine.
Gooroomee is a contactless communications platform start-up in Korea that provides video conferencing services along with interactive capabilities like video and text chat screen; document and image sharing; and, webinar solutions. Empowered by the low-latency benefits of SKT’s 5G network and AWS Wavelength, Gooroomee and SKT have successfully produced a live event for the public with the play ‘In 10 years’. The play was live broadcast through Gooroomee, and the audience platform was built in the MEC on SKT’s network. SK Telecom 5G smartphone and AWS Wavelength’s MEC support an environment in which actors can practice anytime, anywhere. “With this project, I hoped to connect actors and audiences despite the Covid-19 situation and to create a traditional way of performance in a Cloud space. While watching the play, I was able to see the possibility of performing arts through a real-time video platform and look forward to having more real-time plays being made online,” said Lucas Lee, CEO of Gooroomee.
Looxid Labs, a privately held South Korean start-up, has developed a biometric-based user analytic system based on virtual reality (VR) technology, to gather data and assess the cognitive ability of users, particularly the elderly. The sensors gather data on a user’s bio-signals such as eye movement and electro-encephalogram (EEG) data, then use analytics on a Cloud platform to assess cognitive ability. “Looxid Labs has successfully developed a VR-optimized cognitive assessment and training system using biometrics to assess cognitive function in the elderly, generally those over 60 years of age. We’re collaborating with Busan University Hospital to better monitor and assess patients’ cognitive impairment. In order to do this, we transfer patient bio-signals over SKT’s 5G edge network, leveraging AWS Wavelength to process, store, and analyze the data within a secure telecom infrastructure,” said Chae Yong-Wook, Looxid’s founder and CEO.
Ubitus is a Cloud gaming technology leader that runs and manages gaming platforms for the world’s gaming leaders, such as Nintendo. With Ubitus’s platform, users can enjoy an AAA gaming experience on any device including smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and computers. “The superior experiences we provide require ultra-low latency connections to users and their devices. Only AWS Wavelength on carrier’s 5G edge can provide us that,” said Wesley Kuo, CEO of Ubitus. “Our GameCloud platform recently used GPU instances on AWS Wavelength to render and stream game titles directly to end-users with ultra-low latency. As a result, users can instantly play games, interact real-time with continuous game experiences without any downloads or installation, and users can pick up exactly where they left off as they move from device to device.”
Woowa Brothers develops smartphone applications, advertising platforms, and web services, such as a sports events app and a food delivery app. “Earlier this year, we started using robots for our popular Baedal Minjok service in the first public use of food delivery robots in Korea. Our self-driving Dilly Drive robots, which carry about six lunch boxes, can detect and avoid objects, people and pets, and have a remote control override capability if they get stuck. Earlier this year, we relied on the AWS Asia Pacific (Seoul) Region when we tested our delivery robot. Now, we look forward to further enhancing customer experiences with SKT’s 5G network and AWS Wavelength,” said Joseph Kim, Head of Robot Business Department, Woowa.
