Edge resource sharing

An apparatus for improving computer performance in deployment of Internet-of-Things (IoT) services by service providers, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code;
• wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
• receive, by a device of an edge resource owner of an edge device from a device of an infrastructure provider, an indication of an incentive for the edge resource owner to share an edge device resource of the edge device, wherein the edge device comprises an IoT device or a device supporting communications of an IoT device;
• determine, by the device of the edge resource owner based on the indication of the incentive for the edge resource owner to share the edge device resource of the edge device, whether to share the edge device resource of the edge device;
• send, by the device of the edge resource owner toward the device of the infrastructure provider, an indication as to whether the edge device resource of the edge device is being offered for sharing by the edge resource owner;
• and
• receive, by the device of the edge resource owner from the device of the infrastructure provider, a message associated with configuration of the edge device to support deployment of the IoT service using the edge device resource of the edge device.

An apparatus for improving computer performance in deployment of Internet-of-Things (IoT) services by service providers, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code;
• wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
• receive, by a device of a service provider, a request of a customer for an IoT service of the service provider;
• receive, by the device of the service provider from a device of an infrastructure provider having infrastructure provider resources, an indication of a service price proposed by the infrastructure provider for providing services using edge device resources of a set of edge devices of an edge resource owner, wherein the set of edge devices comprises at least one of an IoT device or a device supporting communications of an IoT device;
• determine, by the device of the service provider based on the service price, that the IoT service is to be provided using the edge device resources rather than using the infrastructure provider resources;
• send, from the device of the service provider toward the device of the infrastructure provider, an indication that the IoT service is to be provided using the edge device resources;
• and
• receive, by the device of the service provider from the device of the infrastructure provider, a message indicative of configuration of the set of edge devices to support deployment of the IoT service using the edge device resources of the set of edge devices.