Global CAPEX of edge computing devices and infrastructure 2019-2028

Combined, the global annual capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the edge computing device and infrastructure equipment is forecast to reach around 146 billion U.S. dollars by 2028. Spending on infrastructure edge equipment will make up the bulk of the overall edge CAPEX from 2025 onwards.

Device edge and infrastructure edge

The device edge refers to computing capabilities on the device or user side of the last mile network. Such devices can collect and process data but only on a limited scale. Smartphones, wearables, as well as IoT devices such as smart sensors all belong to this category.
The infrastructure edge refers to computing capabilities deployed on the operator side of the last mile network. Edge data centers are a typical example of the infrastructure edge, offering greater computing and storage capabilities, similar to that offered by centralized cloud data centers.

Edge computing

Edge computing is the delivering of storage, computing, and network capabilities to the local points of a network, through which less latency, reduced cost, and greater performance are obtained. It is a technology that complements the traditional centralized cloud computing model, as the fast-growing number of connected devices demand greater computing and network support closer to where the data is generated. The worldwide edge computing market is projected to reach 250.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2024.