A projected global surge in data-dependent technologies, including the internet of things and generative artificial intelligence will require substantial IT infrastructure support provided by edge data centres, says JLL.
A new report from the agent predicts edge IT infrastructure and data centres will become a $317bn (£248bn) global market by 2026, representing a 107% growth from the 2020 value of $153bn.
JLL defines an edge data centre as a facility that brings computing power closer to where the data is generated or consumed.
The growth of edge computing will be influenced by the not only the emergence several technology-based megatrends but also the need for faster data transfer and high computation, as well as factors such as policies and regulations, said the firm.
“Consumers and corporations will continue to adapt to transformational technologies within daily life and without the distribution of data processing and storage across various locations, cutting-edge efficiencies and solutions such as IoT and generative AI will not transition to mainstream acceptance,” said Jonathan Kinsey, EMEA lead and global chair of data centre solutions at JLL.
He added: “Edge data centres will be essential to ensure both seamless business operations in the future economy while also improving security measures and protecting against potential disruptions. By lowering latency by bringing the computing infrastructure closer to the data source and user, edge IT infrastructure will become an essential component in the international economy.”
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