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Huawei's Vision for an All-Optical AI-Centric Network

During the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, held on March 3, 2026, Huawei took the stage at the Green All-Optical Network Forum organized by IDATE to share its ambitious vision for developing an AI-centered all-optical network. The event gathered over 200 industry leaders, including European telecom regulators, operators, and equipment suppliers, discussing the unique opportunities and challenges posed by all-optical networks in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

A Focus on Enhanced Network Capabilities

Huawei proposed four key initiatives aimed at significantly improving network capabilities, focusing on bandwidth, reliability, coverage, and latency. These enhancements are designed to help service providers maximize the value of their networks while ensuring an optimal experience for AI services. Notable attendees of the forum included major global operators such as Bouygues Telecom and China Unicom, who shared their successful practices and insights on developing smart home services along with innovations driven by efficient computing.

Kim Jin, Huawei's Vice President of the Optical Business Product Line, articulated the vision of creating an AI-focused all-optical network along with next-generation optical products and solutions from Huawei. By enhancing network performance in various vital areas, the company aims to assist operators in building ultra-broadband networks (UBB) capable of delivering high-quality services.

Expanding Wi-Fi Coverage for Home Networks

One of Huawei's standout offerings is its tri-band Wi-Fi 7 solution, which promises to deliver a stable throughput of 4 Gbps in every room of a home while ensuring seamless roaming with latency of less than 10 milliseconds. Coupled with Huawei's innovative mesh technology and AI-driven anti-interference methods, the network can penetrate additional walls and improve signal strength by 20% even in challenging conditions.

Innovations in Passive Optical Networks (PON)

Huawei also introduced a next-generation passive optical network (PON) technology aimed at reducing latency and enhancing bandwidth. By employing application-level OLT slicing and advanced Wi-Fi air interface scheduling, Huawei is establishing dedicated assurance channels for VIP applications, thus providing deterministic and multi-level network experiences.

Optimizing Metropolitan Networks with OXC

The implementation of a new Optical Cross-Connect (OXC) solution marks a significant advancement. This technology extends all-optical switching capability to metropolitan networks, drastically reducing end-to-end network latency. The architecture enables millisecond-level computing for AI services, facilitating rapid data processing and enhanced user experiences.

Transitioning to 400G/800G Technology

To tackle bandwidth bottlenecks effectively, Huawei is evolving its architectures to integrate 400G and 800G technologies. With a 3D mesh backbone combined with Super C+L band technology and full format submarine cable transmission, the solution addresses bandwidth shortages at critical traffic points, ensuring efficient handling of both cross-border and data center interconnect (DCI) traffic.

A Zero-Downtime Optical Network

Recognizing the importance of always-on AI services, Huawei detailed its strategy for achieving a zero-downtime optical network. Through coordinated upgrades of hardware and software, as well as the application of eOTDR technology, operators can accurately identify and mitigate network risks. Moreover, advanced materials based on liquid crystals enable wavelength-switching optical networks (WSONs) to switch in under 50 milliseconds, thus ensuring exceptional reliability.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency

To improve operations and maintenance, Huawei has developed agents like FANSpirit for optical access domains and OTNSpirit for transmission domains. These agents streamline operations by decreasing user complaints regarding broadband issues and making route recommendations based on bandwidth, latency, and reliability, paving the way for intelligent operational and maintenance upgrades.

In conclusion, Kim Jin emphasized that the AI era presents operators with a rare opportunity occurring only once every decade. Huawei remains committed to collaborating with industry partners to construct an AI-centric all-optical target network. This endeavor aims to elevate user experience, unlock further network value, and enable mutually beneficial growth in this new technological landscape.