Multi-access edge computing: Enabling next- generation applications at thenetwork edge

Abstract

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and emergence of latency-sensitive applications have revealed critical limitations of conventional cloud computing models. These centralized models, while offering significant computational resources, often fail to meet the strict response time requirements essential for applications like autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and augmented reality. Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) has emerged as an effective solution by positioning computing resources at the network edge—closer to data sources and end users [1]. Initially introduced as Mobile Edge Computing by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in 2014, the concept was later expanded to "Multi-Access" Edge Computing to reflect its applicability across different access technologies beyond mobile networks [2]. This approach represents a paradigm shift from centralized cloud models toward distributed architectures that utilize computing resources across the network continuum.