Digital Exchanges ('Cloudlets')
A Digital Exchange is a place for Internet supply and demand to meet, whilst acting as small-scale cloud data centers located at the edge of the Internet.
Introducing Cloudlet
Telcom Infrastructure’s new small scale digital exchange and cloud data centre.
Unlocking 5G, edge-computing & more
Full-fibre and 5G network deployment can benefit if there are neutral places for connectivity to converge and for networks to exchange traffic. A double benefit is possible if these are located near clusters of demand from digital businesses, both for connectivity and local hosting space.
It is impossible to realise the true potential of full fibre open access networks if all they do is connect back into legacy telephone exchanges which were made for telephone networks and not the internet. Cloudlet was created to unlock the full potential of full fibre.
The problem
Full fibre and 5G networks need new, neutral exchange points
19th & 20th Century Architecture
In the UK most broadband Internet services are delivered through telephone or cable TV connections - networks that were built in the 19th and 20th centuries - or through the cellular wireless networks. These are monolithic, hierarchically structured networks, generally owned and operated by a single supplier. They are less open for competition and innovation, and generally less resilient.
Full-Fibre and 5G
Now the UK is embarking on the construction of new full-fibre and 5G networks to better connect people with the Internet and serve future needs. Networks need aggregation and exchange points. To support rapid deployment of these new networks, they will need new shared, neutral exchange points where they can connect with each other and with the rest of the Internet.
The Opportunity
Exchange points can provide a focus for innovation and collaboration
Marketplace
Like a marketplace or trading exchange, an exchange point is an agreed, neutral place to meet. Successful exchanges are near the markets they serve, and successful Internet exchanges in places like London, Amsterdam and Manchester have grown alongside thriving digital business sectors.
Upward Spiral
The agreement on a shared, neutral location is a crucial first step in making a successful exchange point. By agreeing on a place where local networks can meet and connect with the rest of the Internet, interested parties such as local authorities, ISPs and network investors can improve the business case for investment in new local fibre and wireless network infrastructure. By choosing a location where digital businesses can cluster, a virtuous circle can be created: demand for connectivity attracts competing carriers and ISPs, which in turn makes the exchange point an ideal location to host Internet applications and services.
Conditions such as those described explain why some major cities like Manchester developed as Internet hubs, offering low-cost Internet ‘transit’ and hosting and supporting the development of digital and tech-creative business, and why other cities didn’t.
With the deployment of new, dense, full fibre and 5G networks, the creation of similar conditions will distinguish the districts, suburbs and smaller towns that will attract innovative digital and tech businesses, from those that won’t.
The Solution
Cloudlet is a place for Internet supply and demand to meet whilst bringing the cloud closer to towns and cities.
The Telcom Infrastructure Cloudlet supports resource-intensive and interactive mobile and autonomous applications by providing powerful computing resources to cities and towns with lower latency.
A Cloudlet combines three elements to support full-fibre network transformation:
Neutral meeting point
A neutral place where networks can meet, close to an existing or potential cluster of digital and tech businesses;
Low latency hosting
A shared space for local digital and tech businesses to locate servers to support applications and services;
Edge computing
Edge computing involving the processing of data near the edge of the network, where the data is being generated, instead of in a centralised data-processing warehouse.
By providing a neutral place for networks to meet, a Cloudlet offers carriers and larger ISPs access to local market demand for Internet and long-haul bandwidth, while offering local digital businesses and ISPs access to competitive supply. Such a place, where networks meet, is an ideal location for local hosting and processing of content and applications. Local digital businesses that want to capture more of the value chain can access the infrastructure they need to create new products and services.
We’re currently deploying Cloudlets in conjunction with HyperCities around the UK.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our Cloudlets or would like to explore bringing a cloudlet to your town or city, get in touch.