5G edge computing is redefining the telecommunications landscape, enabling faster data processing, real-time analytics and AI-driven insights at the network’s edge.

As telcos transition into technology-driven enterprises, or “techcos,” they are leveraging cloud solutions to move beyond traditional connectivity and unlock new revenue streams. This shift is not just about infrastructure modernization — it’s about revolutionizing industries, enhancing customer experiences and positioning telecom providers at the forefront of the AI-powered digital era, according to Chris Niederman (pictured, right), managing director, AWS industries and solutions at Amazon Web Services Inc.

AWS’ Pierce Hofman and Chris Niederman talk to theCUBE about 5G edge computing.

“Our job is to help them catch up, innovate, continue and learn,” Neiderman said. “I think that there’s use cases we haven’t even thought of yet. Whether they think they missed out or not, the opportunity is still there to accelerate. And our job is to help those partners differentiate and accelerate.”

Niederman and Pierce Hofman (left), head of worldwide partner solutions at AWS,  spoke with theCUBE’s Dave Vellante and Bob Laliberte at MWC25, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed how 5G edge computing and AI are driving the transformation of traditional telcos into technology-driven enterprises, enabling faster data processing, real-time analytics and new business opportunities beyond basic connectivity. (* Disclosure below.)

Unlocking new opportunities with 5G edge computing

The combination of 5G and AI is creating new opportunities for telcos to enhance their offerings beyond traditional network services. The ability to process data closer to the source through edge computing allows for faster decision-making, improved efficiency and new revenue streams, according to Hofman.

“Historically, if you look at where AWS has really excelled, we’ve excelled with the builders because we have the best primitives that can help them go do what it is they wanna do,” he said. “Whether it’s [building] a custom solution for their business or whether they want to go put together a very bespoke product that’s unique to their customers.”

This ability to bring AI and compute power closer to end users enables telcos to transform industries such as manufacturing, media and healthcare. AWS is actively working with partners to integrate cloud capabilities into telecom networks, ensuring that AI and data-driven decision-making extend to the farthest edges of connectivity, Neiderman explained.

“The edge is super critical,” he said. “[If] you think about it, you can’t do gen AI without data in the cloud. We’ve taken 5G everywhere and there’s use cases for that, whether it’s manufacturing, predictive maintenance and scheduling and calendaring and doing the compute at the edge or others. But we’ve enabled the tech, we’ve enabled this.”

As telcos accelerate their cloud and AI adoption, they are positioning themselves not just as connectivity providers but as key enablers of digital transformation. By leveraging hyperscale cloud services, they are poised to create innovative solutions that redefine industries, from smart cities to automated supply chains.

“We’re ready and we’ve provided that technology. We’re building for breakthroughs,” Neiderman said. “We’re building for business optimization; we’re building for network modernization and migration. You need to be able to compute at the edge leveraging 5G.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of MWC25:

(* Disclosure: Amazon Web Services Inc. sponsored this segment of theCUBE. Neither AWS nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE