Huawei aims to build F5.5G all-optical network centered on artificial intelligence to help carriers achieve new growth

(Istanbul, Turkey, November 1, 2024) Today, at the 10th Ultra-Broadband Forum (UBBF 2024), Bob Chen, President of Huawei Optical Business Product Line, delivered a speech titled Build AI-Centric F5 .5G All-Optical Network for New Growth.

The era of AI is upon us. General foundation models are continuously being improved and are rapidly being applied in various industries. More than 1300 foundation models have been applied so far. In addition, artificial intelligence is widely used in mobile phones, PCs and automobiles. In the future, AI will be an indispensable part of terminals. AI helps us in trip planning, code generation and quality inspection. In the future, AI will transform every aspect of our lives, work and production.

Bob Chen noted that in the era of AI, some operators will become providers of all AI services, and some operators will cooperate with third parties to provide services such as AI computing and AI applications. For operators, building robust infrastructure networks and “enhanced grid computing” will be key to business success in the AI era. Device-cloud AI synergy and intelligent computing training require high network bandwidth, low latency and high reliability. Huawei continuously innovates F5.5G in optical transmission, optical access, and management and control platform, helping carriers build AI-centric all-optical networks.

Bob Chen, President of Huawei Optical Business Product Line, delivering an opening speech

In the field of optical transmission, Huawei’s leading optical switching technology is extended to data centers (DCs) and metro edges. First, with optical switching, DCs support improving the scale and efficiency of AI computing. Huawei’s DC optical switching solution supports the expansion of intelligent computing from 1000 cards to millions of cards based on ultra-dense ports and ultra-low power consumption. Compared to traditional solutions, the deployment mode without optical modules reduces the failure rate by about 20%. In addition, with all-optical metro edge switching, Huawei helps operators build 1ms, 5ms and 10ms latency circles through mesh network and all-optical one-hop connection for all-optical end-to-end switching. the backbone of the metro, delivering cutting-edge AI experiences. To date, more than 50 operators worldwide have extended optical switching to metro edges and built 1ms metro networks.

In the field of optical access, Bob Chen noted that fixed broadband must offer premium services. Based on fiber optic connections, fixed broadband offers deterministic and guaranteed service experiences for each user. Globally, there are three ways to monetize fixed broadband: coverage monetization, bandwidth monetization, and experience monetization.

First, coverage monetization. Currently, no fiber connection is available to more than 28% of global users. Therefore, fiber coverage needs to be accelerated to take advantage of the demographic dividend. Huawei solutions, including QuickConnect ODN and AirPON for all scenarios, can help carriers realize fast and inexpensive network construction.
Second, bandwidth monetization. First, some operators have deployed fiber broadband, but their packet rates are only tens of Mbps. As a result, the value of fiber optics is not unleashed. We therefore recommend that packages are upgraded gradually to provide more competitive broadband services. Second, some operators have offered gigabit packages, but the experience is poor and video freezes often occur. The main reason is that GPON is used to deliver gigabit packets. Therefore, GPON should be upgraded to 10G PON as soon as possible to provide better network experiences.
The last is to monetizing the experience. There is now industry consensus on the evolution from FTTH using a single fiber to FTTR using a single network. The FTTR network can ensure an optimal experience for everyone, anytime, anywhere. So far, the number of FTTR users worldwide has exceeded 30 million. In addition, Huawei is accelerating the innovation and modernization of FTTR+X to help carriers innovate AI applications, including AI plus storage, home security and healthcare. Our ultimate goal is to support a smart home based on a single FTTR network.

In terms of the management and control platform, Huawei uses digital twin and AI models to improve user experience and O&M efficiency in premium broadband and premium transmission solution scenarios. The Huawei Premium Broadband solution uses automatic fault location to implement minute-level network fault diagnosis and proactive rectification of poor QoE, reducing user complaints by 30%. Its Premium Transmission solution uses automated online scheduling to shorten new service TTM from months to hours.

“The next decade will see the rapid popularization of AI,” said Bob Chen. “Huawei hopes to work with industry partners to build an AI-centric F5.5G all-optical network, extending optical switching to data centers and metro edges, building premium networks for optical access by monetizing coverage, bandwidth and experience and fully injecting AI Capabilities to the management and control platform, in this way, we can accelerate the popularization of AI and achieve new business growth in the intelligent era together!”