What does multi-access edge computing (MEC) aim to achieve within Cloud RAN?

Multi-access edge computing (MEC) aims to process data closer to the end-user to reduce latency, which is crucial for applications that require real-time processing and low response times. By moving computation and storage resources closer to the edge of the network, specifically nearby end-users, MEC minimizes the time data takes to travel between users and servers. This is particularly important in scenarios like augmented reality, autonomous driving, and other latency-sensitive applications, where even milliseconds of delay can impact user experience or system performance.

The focus on proximity to the end-user facilitates quicker access to critical data and immediate processing of information, enhancing the overall efficiency and responsiveness of cloud services in a telecommunications environment. Thus, the role of MEC in Cloud RAN is pivotal for enabling next-generation services and applications that demand high performance and part of achieving this goal is by significantly reducing latency.