Experimental Assessment of 5G MEC Architectures for Intelligent Applications in Smart Cities

This study provides a comparative analysis of various Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) architectures across different application types. We have developed and tested distinct MEC configurations, each with unique benefits. Notably, MEC managed by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) achieved the lowest latencies, as demonstrated with an experimental Vulnerable Road User (VRU) application, offering an optimal balance between performance and ease of deployment. Additionally, we examined the feasibility of a municipality-managed MEC, enabling local authorities to maintain full control over access technologies and service reachability, along with enhanced trust in the infrastructure. Although latency is slightly higher than with the ISP’s MEC, this approach offers advantages in autonomy and security. The findings demonstrate how different MEC architectures can be tailored to specific application requirements, balancing performance, control, and trust in the infrastructure.