An edge data centre is a smaller, distributed facility designed to process data closer to where it’s generated and consumed. Edge data centres are strategically located near end-users to reduce latency (the delay before data transfer begins), improve performance, and support real-time applications. 

With three-quarters of IT decision makers preparing for the volume of data they manage to at least double by 2030, the worldwide edge computing market is projected to grow to meet that demand, reaching 350 billion U.S. dollars by 2027.

The need for edge computing

Centralised data centres, essentially physical facilities that store critical applications and data for businesses, support enterprise IT and large-scale data processing. 

However, as data volumes increase with new IoT devices, sensors, and connected applications, centralised  data centres may not be the most efficient option on their own due to limitations such as high latency, insufficient bandwidth (capacity for transmitting a signal), and lack of real-time responsiveness.  

Edge data centres, typically more compact than centralised centres, bring computing power closer to the source of data, enabling fast, reliable processing at the point where the data is generated. Supporting centralised resources, this distributed approach enables faster decision-making, reduces the load on core networks, and helps with the management of latency-sensitive applications.

Benefits of edge data centres

Edge data centres bring tangible advantages to organisations, including: 

  • Reduced latency: By processing data in local proximity to the end user, the time to send data to and from a central data centre is drastically reduced, beneficial for real-time applications such as autonomous vehicles.
  • Improved uptime: Localised infrastructure helps maintain services even when connectivity to a central data centre is disrupted, ensuring critical applications remain operational.
  • Bandwidth optimisation: With filtering, processing, and storing data locally, bandwidth can be relieved, and data transfer and storage costs are reduced.
  • Enhanced security and control: Local processing and storage of sensitive data ensures tighter control over access and helps maintain compliance with sector-specific regulations.
  • Contribution to sustainability goals: Many edge data centres are designed with energy efficiency in mind, using modular setups and advanced cooling to minimise environmental impact. This supports the Climate Neutral Data Centre pact to help make Europe climate neutral by 2050.

Use cases and applications

Emerging technologies that need fast, localised data processing to operate effectively are relying on edge data centres. Their ability to bring computing power closer to the user enables a range of applications:

  • Internet of Things (IoT): Edge computing supports immediate data processing across millions of connected IoT devices.
  • Autonomous vehicles: Edge data centres allow vehicles to interpret data to make safety-critical decisions, without depending on remote servers.
  • Smart cities: Edge infrastructure supports the real-time responsiveness needed to operate complex urban environments efficiently, such as traffic flows.
  • 5G networks: Edge computing enables services such as mobile Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, real-time gaming, and industrial automation to operate seamlessly over 5G connectivity.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI): Many AI models benefit from processing data at the edge to reduce any delays in analysis and decision-making.

Challenges and considerations

Unlike centralised environments, edge computing involves managing multiple distributed sites, each of which must be monitored, maintained, and secured to ensure consistent operational performance and availability.

Security is another critical factor. Organisations need to apply consistent and robust security policies across every edge location, such as encryption standards and physical access controls.

Sufficient fibre capacity and connectivity between edge locations and central data centres is also needed, and the underlying network infrastructure needs to be capable of supporting rapid, reliable data transfer.

Connect at Telehouse data centres

Located close to London’s financial district, Telehouse’s UK data centres offer access to more than 1000 connectivity partners, including leading cloud providers, ISPs and ASPs. Our data centres are ideally positioned for London-based businesses looking to deploy edge-based ICT infrastructure, with direct access to carrier networks and the flexibility to scale infrastructure as requirements evolve.

Get in touch with our team today and discover how colocation (housing servers and other IT equipment with us) can support your edge computing strategy with low-latency, high-performance connectivity.