Huawei’s Vision for AI Optical Networks
BARCELONA, Spain, March 5, 2025 – During the MWC Barcelona 2025, Bob Chen, the product line president of Huawei for the optics industry, outlined the theory of optical network development towards AI supported optical networks (AI Optical Network, AI ON) in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). The goal of this transformation is to provide 5A quality connection, laying a solid foundation for the growth and prosperity of AI.
The era of artificial intelligence is defined by three key characteristics: AI application is everywhere, AI computing power is everywhere, and native AI is everywhere. These trends require networks that can sense types of services, provide differentiated connectivity, and ensure optimal services. In addition, networks must provide deterministic connectivity to support flexible and efficient computing power planning and integrate AI functions to enhance service quality and network efficiency.
Huawei’s Collaboration and Innovation
Bob Chen emphasized that since the release of the target network for the AI era in 2024, Huawei has been cooperating with global customers to support continuous innovations. The new generation of optical networks, called AI ON, is now clearer and it’s characterized by the following features:
P Awareness: In the past, optical networks didn’t know the types of services. Future optical networks must accurately identify types of services based on traffic patterns and flow direction, thus ensuring the fulfillment of bandwidth, latency, and reliability requirements. This allows networks to better understand and adapt to the needs of services.
V Always on demand: Unlike the past, when networks offered undifferentiated connectivity, future optical networks must provide differentiated real-time connectivity tailored to specific service requirements. For example, a gaming user may be offered a three-hour package with 1 Gb/s bandwidth.
I Certainty: In the past, many factors such as network overload, failures, and service growth could degrade connection quality. In the future, optical networks must guarantee high-quality connectivity regardless of network changes or service fluctuations, ensure deterministic latency and zero packet loss related to all services.
A Autonomous operation and maintenance: In the past, network operation and maintenance were performed reactively after a failure occurred. Future networks, which go beyond the traditional reactive maintenance mode, must actively identify and mitigate potential risks before they impact users, achieving “self-healing” and optimization.
N Native artificial intelligence: Full-fledged native AI functions must be built into network terminals, devices, and management systems, speeding up network intelligence. For example, AI computing power with ONT/FTTR technology identifies application types and enhances device performance using small models on terminals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bob Chen noted that AI represents a transformational shift in human society and offers unprecedented opportunities for the ICT industry. Just as 5A represents the highest quality of services in industries such as hospitality and tourism, to seize these opportunities prime connectivity will be essential. Huawei is committed to collaborating with the industry to push optical networks towards AI ON, provide 5A quality connectivity, and support new growth in the AI era.
