Hybrid, edge & VMware
AWS Wavelength vs Azure Extended Zones
AWS Wavelength has no current Azure equivalent.
Azure public MEC, Microsoft's carrier-edge offering, now lives only in Microsoft's "previous versions" documentation archive. Azure Extended Zones are the nearest current option, but they're metro sites, not inside carrier networks.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | AWS Wavelength | Azure Extended Zones |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Access is by request. Several services, such as Azure Virtual Desktop, are in preview inside extended zones even though they're GA in regions. |
| What it is | AWS compute and storage inside telecom carriers' 5G networks (Wavelength Zones), reached through a carrier gateway. | Small-footprint Azure extensions in metro areas or specific jurisdictions for low latency and data residency. VMs, scale sets, AKS, managed disks, and core networking are available, and the control plane stays in the parent region. |
| Pricing model | Wavelength resources are billed at Wavelength Zone rates, plus data transfer through the carrier gateway. | No carrier-edge service to price. Extended Zones are billed per resource. |
| Docs | AWS Wavelength docs | Azure Extended Zones docs |
| Pricing page | AWS Wavelength pricing | Azure Extended Zones pricing |
| Exams | SAP-C02 Retiring | — |
Key differences
- Wavelength Zones sit in partner carriers' networks and are reached through a carrier gateway, extending a VPC with EC2, EBS, and EKS.
- Azure public MEC docs are archived. Private 5G edge needs on Azure are typically met with Azure Local or partner solutions.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Wavelength resources are billed at Wavelength Zone rates, plus data transfer through the carrier gateway. AWS Wavelength pricing →
- Azure
- No carrier-edge service to price. Extended Zones are billed per resource. Azure Extended Zones pricing →
Certification exam mapping
| Exam | Provider | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional SAP-C02 | AWS | Professional | retiring Being updated to SAP-C03. Registration for SAP-C03 opens Oct 27, 2026. Last day to take SAP-C02 is Nov 16, 2026. |
Relevance is based on each exam's published scope, not a line-by-line objective match. Check the official study guide.
Verification notes
- Microsoft hasn't published a retirement notice for Azure public MEC that we could find. The status "archived" is inferred from the move of its docs to previous-versions.
FAQ
Does Azure have an equivalent to AWS Wavelength?
AWS Wavelength has no current Azure equivalent. Azure public MEC, Microsoft's carrier-edge offering, now lives only in Microsoft's "previous versions" documentation archive. Azure Extended Zones are the nearest current option, but they're metro sites, not inside carrier networks.
How does pricing compare between AWS Wavelength and Azure Extended Zones?
AWS: Wavelength resources are billed at Wavelength Zone rates, plus data transfer through the carrier gateway. Azure: No carrier-edge service to price. Extended Zones are billed per resource. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (SAP-C02) [retiring].