AT&T is still lagging behind major competitor, Verizon, in edge computing with 40 patent documents in the last ten years to Verizon’s 63. However, AT&T is keeping up with Verizon in the blockchain category with their first patent application published. Neither company has had much activity in the space but as pointed out in previous insights, the category offers the most opportunity for any company interested.
While AT&T only holds a patent application, it is encouraging to see more large companies join the category and as pointed out in the cryptocurrency sector, blockchain could be valuable for AT&T. With Akamai as their main competitor in the space, AT&T could leverage the white space in blockchain to build an exclusive market within edge computing. To keep an eye on what the mobile carriers in edge computing do next, check out the Edge Computing Patent Forecast®!