Verizon and AWS bring 5G apps to eight US cities
AWS compute and storage services brought to the edge with 5G Ultra Wideband network


AWS and Verizon have launched a new way for businesses and developers to build and deploy 5G-based applications to several US cities.
The partnership will enable developers using Verizon 5G Edge with AWS Wavelength to deploy applications that require ultra-low latency and responsiveness that 5G offers.
The eight US cities launching the new mobile edge computing (MEC) capabilities include Atlanta, Georgia; the San Francisco Bay Area; Boston, Massachusetts; Dallas, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Miami, Florida; New York, New York; and Washington, DC. There are plans to add two more cities by the end of 2020.
AWS Wavelength is a platform optimized for MEC applications. Wavelength Zones are AWS infrastructure deployments that embed AWS compute and storage services within communications service providers’ (CSP) datacenters at the edge of the 5G network, so application traffic from 5G devices can reach application servers running in Wavelength Zones without leaving the telecommunications network.
AWS said that this avoids the latency that would result from application traffic traversing multiple hops across the internet to reach its destination, enabling customers to take full advantage of modern 5G networks’ latency and bandwidth benefits.
The companies said in a statement that developers can build and deliver “enhanced experiences and serve performance-critical use cases that take advantage of storage and processing power closer to 5G mobile users.”
“By leveraging the powerful combination of Verizon 5G Edge and AWS Wavelength, developers can deliver a wide range of transformative, latency-sensitive use cases like automated robotic systems in manufacturing facilities and smart cars and cities,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
“We already have customers today creating exciting new applications in industries ranging from healthcare to sports and we can’t wait to see the next game-changing app that will be built on 5G and MEC.”
Businesses can start developing products and services using the technology by extending their Amazon virtual private cloud (VPC) to one or more Wavelength Zones and then use AWS resources to build, run, secure, manage, and scale applications.
Developers can connect to the Verizon 5G network using a new VPC gateway called Carrier Gateway. This enables them to attach Verizon-provided public IP addresses to Amazon Elastic Compute CloudT (Amazon EC2) instances.
Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.
-
RSAC Conference 2025: The front line of cyber innovation
ITPro Podcast Ransomware, quantum computing, and an unsurprising focus on AI were highlights of this year's event
-
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei thinks we're burying our heads in the sand on AI job losses
News With AI set to hit entry-level jobs especially, some industry execs say clear warning signs are being ignored
-
AWS eyes ‘flexible’ data center expansion with $11bn Georgia investment
News The hyperscaler says the infrastructure will power cloud computing and AI growth
-
AWS layoffs: Why Amazon is cutting staff from its most profitable division
News AWS layoffs follow a period of slowing growth and decreasing market share for the cloud division
-
AWS invests $6 billion in Malaysia cloud expansion as SEA competition heats up
News While AWS continues expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia, Chinese competitors are edging into this expanding market
-
Hyperscaler earnings 'highlight new era of maturity' in global cloud market
News Sluggish earnings for Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS could point to a more moderate cloud market in the year ahead
-
AWS splashes $35 billion to expand data centres in Virginia
News The massive figure is close to the total sum AWS has previously invested in the state since 2006
-
AWS launches Australia's first local zone for low-latency workloads and data residency
News The company is aiming to help customers who need infrastructure closer to their data sources or end-users
-
AWS plans to be 'water positive' by 2030
News A number of projects will seek to improve groundwater replenishment, efficiency, and overall sustainability
-
AWS follows Google in opening a cloud region in Thailand
News The region is one of 24 other global regions announced by the company