Metaverse and edge computing: The infrastructure that the metaverse needs

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• July 10, 2023

Insight highlights

The future metaverse necessitates a deep understanding of edge computing, which situates processing near consumers to tackle latency issues and enhance network reliability. Its global market is expected to grow 38.9% annually from 2022 to 2030. Edge computing's decentralization bolsters network security and supports IoT projects, while its integration with the metaverse will prompt shifts in economics, politics, job creation, and carbon emissions, amid new security and mental health challenges.

Metaverse and edge computing context

A 2021 survey by telecom equipment supplier Ciena discovered that 81 percent of US business professionals were not fully aware of the advantages that 5G and edge technology can bring. This lack of understanding is concerning as the metaverse, a collective virtual space, becomes more prevalent. High latency can lead to delays in the response time of virtual avatars, making the overall experience less immersive and attractive.

Edge computing, a solution to the latency issue, involves moving processing and computing closer to where it is being consumed, improving network reliability. By extending the traditional cloud model, edge computing incorporates an interconnected collection of large data centers with smaller, physically closer devices and data centers. This approach allows for a more efficient distribution of cloud processing, placing latency-sensitive workloads closer to the user while positioning other workloads further away, optimizing costs and utilization effectively. 

As virtual and augmented reality users demand more immersive virtual environments, edge computing will become crucial in delivering the necessary speed and reliability to support these growing expectations. According to intelligence firm ResearchandMarkets, the global edge computing market is anticipated to experience a compound annual growth rate of 38.9 percent from 2022 to 2030. The primary factors contributing to this growth include edge servers, the augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) segment, and the data center industry.

Disruptive impact

Edge computing is poised to cause decentralization of technologies, as its focus is on extending various networks, such as campus, cellular, and data center networks or the cloud. Simulation findings indicate that using a hybrid Fog-Edge computing architecture can decrease visualization latency by 50 percent compared to legacy cloud-based Metaverse applications. This decentralization increases security and improves network congestion as data is processed and analyzed on-site. 

Additionally, the rapid deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) projects for various business, consumer, and government use cases, such as smart cities, will require significant improvements in the edge computing industry, laying the groundwork for adopting the metaverse. With the growth of smart cities, data processing will need to be done closer to the edge to facilitate real-time responses to critical events, such as traffic management, public safety, and environmental monitoring. For example, an edge vehicle solution may aggregate local data from traffic signals, global positioning satellite (GPS) devices, other vehicles, and proximity sensors. 

Several companies are already collaborating with Meta to support metaverse technologies. During a 2022 event with investors, telecom Verizon announced that it plans to combine its 5G mmWave and C-band service and edge compute capabilities with Meta's platform to understand the foundational requirements for the metaverse and its applications. Verizon aims to support developing and deploying Extended Reality (XR) cloud-based rendering and low-latency streaming, which are critical to AR/VR devices.

Implications of the metaverse and edge computing

Wider implications of the metaverse and edge computing may include: 

• New economic opportunities and business models, as edge computing allows for more immersive experiences and faster transactions. Virtual goods, services, and real estate may significantly contribute to the global economy.
• New political strategies and campaigns within the metaverse. Politicians could engage with voters in immersive virtual environments, and political debates and discussions might be conducted in new, interactive formats.
• The integration of edge computing with the metaverse driving advancements in VR/AR and AI, leading to new tools and platforms.
• Job opportunities in VR design, software development, and digital content creation. 
• Edge computing reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions as data processing is moved closer to the source. However, the increased use of electronic devices and data centers to support the metaverse may offset these benefits.
• Improved access to the metaverse for people with limited internet connectivity by reducing latency and processing requirements. However, this may also widen the digital divide, as those without access to advanced edge computing infrastructure may struggle to participate.
• Edge computing offering enhanced security and privacy within the metaverse, as data processing occurs closer to the user. However, it may also introduce new vulnerabilities and challenges in protecting user data and ensuring the security of virtual environments.
• Increased immersion and accessibility of the metaverse, enabled by edge computing, leading to concerns about addiction and the impact of virtual experiences on mental health.

Questions to consider

• What are the other features of edge computing that might be beneficial for the metaverse?
• How might the metaverse develop if it’s supported by edge computing and 5G?