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Next Generation OTN: Huawei's Vision for Optical Networks

In a significant revelation during the NetworkX 2026 event, Huawei introduced its Next Generation Optical Transport Network (OTN), aimed at revolutionizing optical networks for artificial intelligence-driven data centers. This initiative, dubbed the LIGHTS network, positions itself as a pioneering solution to meet the burgeoning demands of AI applications and cloud computing.

AI-Driven Opportunities in Telco

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened up three distinct waves of opportunities for telecommunications operators. Firstly, there's a need to unify data centers catering to hyper-scale devices. Secondly, dedicated connectivity channels are required to provide computational power to enterprises. Finally, there's a growing demand for integrated computing and networking services.

This shift marks a paradigm change in optical transport networks, moving from traditional consumer-focused models (ToC and ToH) to enterprise-centric networks (ToB) that support AI systems. It necessitates a planning approach centered around AI data centers (AIDC) rather than geographical administrative boundaries.

Empowering the AI-Centric Optical Network

To harness these opportunities, an entirely optical network tailored for AIDC is essential. Huawei's target architecture, LIGHTS, is presented as a foremost priority for operators in the AI era. This solution boasts six key features: low latency, intelligent operations, green infrastructure, high reliability, terabit-level capacity, and assured security.

Gavin Gu, President of Huawei's Optical Transmission Network Domain, elucidated the Next Generation OTN, aimed at establishing the LIGHTS network, addressing inter-data center connectivity (DCI), and data center access (DCA).

For DCI scenarios, the Next Generation OTN supports exceptionally high-speed data transfer at rates ranging from 800 Gbps to 2 Tbps, accompanied by an OTN capacity pool that enables proactive bandwidth reservation in multiple directions with minimal resource expenditure. This capacity enhances market service delivery speed (Time-to-Market or TTM) while optimizing the utilization of fiber optic infrastructure to meet the terabit capacity and rapid service provisioning requirements of DCI traffic.

In the context of DCA, Huawei introduces end-to-end (E2E) optical communication (OXC), which ensures a cellular architecture of direct connections with a single transit segment. This includes millisecond-level switching technology for heightened availability and flexible bandwidth provisioning, alongside an integrated Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) solution for quantum encryption. Moreover, the Next Generation OTN has been upgraded at both hardware and software levels, facilitating the creation of a zero-outage network.

LIGHTS Network: A Catalyst for Business Growth

The fully optical LIGHTS network redirects operators from merely selling bandwidth to delivering enhanced key capabilities and value-added services. Dedicated channels for computational power are no longer restricted by bandwidth limitations but instead encompass parameters like latency, reliability, and security. This transformation empowers operators to offer differentiated services tailored for various industries, optimizing their pricing strategies.

Furthermore, the convergence of networking and computational services is accelerating. For instance, in Hubei Province, China, operators are leveraging combined network infrastructure and computing resources to roll out integrated services across sectors such as education, healthcare, and finance.

Huawei’s fully optical LIGHTS network is positioned as an essential tool in the AI era, enabling operators to capitalize on AI capabilities, monetize network infrastructure, and achieve substantial business growth. Moving forward, Huawei is committed to partnering with industry stakeholders to foster technological innovations and drive growth within the optical transport network industry as it transitions into the age of artificial intelligence.