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AWS Compute
Wavelength
Embed AWS compute and storage within 5G networks for ultra-low latency
AWS Wavelength embeds AWS compute and storage services within telecom provider data centers at the edge of 5G networks. By placing compute inside the carrier network, applications can reach end-users with single-digit millisecond latency - without traversing the public internet to a traditional AWS region.
How Wavelength Works
Wavelength Zones are AWS infrastructure deployments inside carrier data centers (Verizon, Vodafone, KDDI, SK Telecom). They are extensions of an AWS Region, similar to Availability Zones.
- A 5G device sends traffic directly into the carrier network, which routes it to the nearest Wavelength Zone - never touching the public internet
- Latency from device to Wavelength Zone: 1-10ms. Latency from device to regular AWS region: 30-100ms+
- Carrier Gateway: connects Wavelength Zones to the carrier network and to the parent AWS region
- Instances in Wavelength Zones get a Carrier IP (routeable on the carrier network) in addition to their private IP
- Not all instance types are available - typically C5, R5, and G4 instances optimized for edge workloads
Use Cases
- Interactive live video streaming: real-time encoding/transcoding at the edge for millions of concurrent 5G viewers
- AR/VR and cloud gaming: game servers physically closer to players reduce lag below perceptible thresholds
- Connected vehicles: process sensor data, V2X communication, and OTA updates with sub-10ms response
- Industrial IoT: real-time processing for manufacturing line monitoring, predictive maintenance
- Smart city applications: real-time traffic management, emergency response optimization
Wavelength vs Local Zones
| Wavelength | Local Zones | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Inside telecom carrier data centers | AWS-operated facilities near major cities |
| Connectivity | Carrier 5G network | Public internet or Direct Connect |
| Target users | 5G mobile/IoT devices | End users in metro areas (any connectivity) |
| Latency target | <10ms for 5G devices | <20ms for metro users |
| Network ingress | Via Carrier Gateway from 5G network | Standard AWS VPC routing |
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Interview Focus Points
- 1What specific latency problem does Wavelength solve that regular AWS regions cannot?
- 2What is a Carrier Gateway and why is it needed?
- 3Wavelength vs Local Zones - key differences in use case and connectivity
- 4What types of applications benefit most from Wavelength? Give examples.