AI WAN Transitions IP Networks into the Smart Age, Accelerating Service Growth for Carriers

AI WAN: Transforming IP Networks for Modern Solutions

On March 24, 2025, during the MPLS & SRv6 AI Net World Congress 2025, Huawei hosted the successful IP GALA themed "AI WAN: Transitioning IP Networks into the Smart Age." The event brought together carriers, standard organizations, and industry participants to explore the latest trends in AI WAN innovation. Leading carriers, including Telecom Argentina and Turkcell Turkey, shared their innovative applications related to IP networks. In this context, Huawei offered an in-depth review of how the AI WAN solution enhances IP networks through Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In his opening speech, Zuo Meng, President of the Router Domain at Huawei’s Data Communication Product Line, emphasized that carriers currently face several challenges. These include stagnant growth in traditional services, slower-than-expected development of new services, and high network complexity and costs, all of which necessitate upgrades to next-generation networks. The AI WAN solution aims to boost network capabilities and add value by introducing AI into areas like Operations and Maintenance, connections, and routing devices.

Latif Ladid, President of the IPv6 Forum, asserted that integration of AI into network infrastructures like AI WAN is essential for the future. To expedite the deployment of SRv6, the IPv6 Forum launched the SRv6 Ready Logo Program, with Huawei being one of the first device vendors to receive this certification.

Santiago Costanzo, Manager of Transport Evolution at Telecom Argentina, shared insights on deploying key technologies and innovative applications for IP networks in the age of AI. He noted that SRv6 helps carriers improve end-to-end automation efficiency and achieve deterministic delay times. In a landscape where AI is pivotal, Telcos are employing AI technologies to simplify Operations and Maintenance while creating value for customers.

Durmuş Mehmet, Deputy General Manager in charge of Turkcell’s IP/MPLS Core and Data Center Networks, explained that Turkcell is building an autonomous network with ultra-broadband and high reliability to provide differentiated services to its customers. He highlighted Turkcell’s awareness of the progress of AI WAN and their partnership with Huawei for innovations like energy-saving solutions, fiber monitoring based on FHC, AI application definition, and agent-centric cooperation.

Xu Huan, Vice President responsible for the Router Domain within Huawei's Data Communication Product Group, provided expert insights regarding the AI WAN solution. This innovative solution features a three-layer architecture consisting of AI routers, AI new connections, and AI new brains. The solution supports carriers in building networks with optimal Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), expanding new services, enhancing operational efficiency, and accelerating new service growth. Wu Qin, Huawei’s Data Communication Network Architect and a member of the IETF Internet Architecture Board (IAB), elucidated the components of AI's new brain: AssurSpirit, ChangeSpirit, and OptimSpirit, which enable intelligent operations through big-small model collaborations and accelerate the transition to Autonomous Networks (AN) L4.

Zied Ben Houidi, Huawei’s Principal LLM Expert in Data Communication, outlined AI applications in IP networks during the forum. Carsten Rossenhövel, CTO and Founding Partner of the European Advanced Network Test Center (EANTC), shared advancements in multi-vendor interoperability testing, indicating that the fundamental capabilities of IP networks in the AI era have achieved higher maturity levels concerning interoperability.

At the conclusion of the IP GALA, the IPv6 Forum, WBBA, Turkcell Turkey, Telecom Argentina, EANTC, and Huawei collectively launched the AI WAN Initiative aimed at promoting the progress of IP network innovation and deployment. Looking ahead, Huawei intends to continue collaborating with operators and industry partners to explore new markets, assist customers in achieving business success, and accelerate new service growth in the smart age.

The forum demonstrated Huawei’s commitment to redefining IP network capabilities, spearheading innovations in telecommunications, and ensuring that carriers are equipped to meet the dynamic demands of the future.