At MWC Barcelona 2025, Huawei and industry leaders are showcasing significant advancements in network technologies designed for the AI era, with two major initiatives taking center stage: AI Optical Networks (AI ON) and Level 4 Autonomous Networks (AN).
The Evolution Towards AI-Powered Networks
Bob Chen, President of Huawei Optical Business Product Line, proposed the evolution of optical networks towards AI Optical Network (AI ON), designed to provide 5A-quality connectivity as a foundation for AI growth and prosperity.
The AI era, characterized by ubiquitous AI applications, computing power, and AI-native capabilities, demands networks that can sense service types, deliver differentiated connectivity, and ensure optimal service experiences. These networks must provide deterministic connectivity to support flexible computing power scheduling while integrating AI capabilities to enhance both service quality and network efficiency.
Building on the target network framework for the AI era released in 2024, Huawei has collaborated with global customers to define the next-generation evolution of optical networks. The AI ON concept is characterized by five key features:
Awareness: Future optical networks will accurately identify service types based on traffic patterns and flow directions, ensuring that bandwidth, latency, and reliability requirements are met.
Always On Demand: Networks will provide real-time, differentiated connectivity tailored to specific service demands, such as offering a gaming user a three-hour 1 Gbps bandwidth package.
Assurance: Optical networks will guarantee high-quality connectivity regardless of network changes or service fluctuations, ensuring deterministic latency and zero packet loss.
Autonomous O&M: Moving beyond reactive maintenance, future networks will proactively identify and mitigate potential risks before they impact users.
AI Native: Full-stack AI capabilities will be embedded across network terminals, devices, and management systems, accelerating network intelligence.
“L4 is ON” – Advancing Autonomous Networks
In a complementary development on March 4, TM Forum hosted the Autonomous Networks (AN) Summit with the theme “Advancing Autonomous Networks Level 4 Innovation and Commercialization.” Industry leaders from Telefonica, Orange, Telenor, Huawei, and other partners gathered to discuss and plan the development of Level 4 Autonomous Networks.
The AN industry experienced rapid growth in 2024 with the release of the L4 industry blueprint and 20 high-value scenarios. Large model technology has shown early success in telecommunications applications, with several leading operators already reaching L3.5 in key scenarios such as fault management.
With 2025 being a pivotal year for L4 commercialization, the AN Mission Board has jointly launched the “L4 is ON” initiative focusing on three key areas:
1. Refining the L4 industry blueprint: Improving implementation timelines for high-value L4 scenarios and enhancing the target structure based on copilots and agents.
2. Developing standardized L4 solution packages: Creating solution packages that include scenario requirements, key effectiveness indicators, ANL evaluation standards, and E2E solutions.
3. Promoting innovation and commercialization: Conducting AN-level assessments, accelerating application innovation, unlocking new value, and fostering a sustainable business cycle.
Aaron Boasman-Patel, VP, Innovation at TM Forum, emphasized that Autonomous Networks will deliver “a step-change in customer experience, business velocity, profitability and new services by unlocking the power of seamless end-to-end autonomous operations.”
Dang Wenshuan, Huawei’s Chief Strategy Architect, highlighted the importance of defining solution packages that serve as guides for implementing AN Level 4 from end to end for high-value scenarios, enabling efficient implementation and driving large-scale commercial adoption.
Industry Collaboration for an Intelligent Future
Industry leaders agree that achieving Level 4 Autonomous Networks requires concerted, long-term efforts across the industry. Technological innovation and real-world projects focusing on high-value scenarios are essential to create more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable network services.
As Bob Chen noted, AI represents a transformative shift in human society, offering unprecedented opportunities for the ICT industry. Premium connectivity will be essential to seize these opportunities, with Huawei committed to collaborating with the industry to advance optical networks towards AI ON, deliver 5A-quality connectivity, and drive new growth.
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