Divided at the Edge - Measuring Performance and the Digital Divide of Cloud Edge Data Centers

Abstract

Cloud providers are highly incentivized to reduce latency. One way they do this is by locating data centers as close to users as possible. These “cloud edge” data centers are placed in metropolitan areas and enable edge computing for residents of these cities. Therefore, which cities are selected to host edge data centers determines who has the fastest access to applications requiring edge compute — creating a digital divide between those closest and furthest from the edge. In this study we measure latency to the current and predicted cloud edge of three major cloud providers around the world. Our measurements use the RIPE Atlas platform targeting cloud regions, AWS Local Zones, and network optimization services that minimize the path to the cloud edge. An analysis of the digital divide shows rising inequality as the relative difference between users closest and farthest from cloud compute increases. We also find this inequality unfairly affects lower income census tracts in the US. This result is extended globally using remotely sensed night time lights as a proxy for wealth. Finally, we demonstrate that low earth orbit satellite internet can help to close this digital divide and provide more fair access to the cloud edge.