Edge computing has been booming lately, propelled by advancements in chip technology, the adoption of 5G, and COVID-19. This expansion seems to be leaving behind the communications category of edge computing, leaving room for a company to take advantage of the new open space in that industry. In 2020, the communications category had over 70 patent assets, but halfway through 2021 the category has slowed to only 15 total patent assets. Meanwhile the platform non-blockchain category is only slightly behind 2020’s numbers, with over 70 patent assets so far in 2021 after reaching over 200 patent assets in 2020. 

This trend is intriguing because the increased focus on 5G should lend to an increase in activity within the communications category but the patents are telling a different story. Amazon and AT&T have some of the most recent activity in the category, so it will be worth watching to see if they capitalize on the space being left behind by their competitors or if a new company will come into the space to gain exclusivity in the industry. Cisco is the leader in patent assets over the last five years in the communications category, but they have yet to have an issuance or publication in 2021. 

To keep up with the key trends in edge computing be sure to check out the Edge Computing Patent Forecast®!