Huawei Proposes Network Restructuring for AI Era Growth
At a conference in Vienna, Huawei presented a plan to reshape network infrastructure to meet AI demands. The goal is to create new network value and drive growth.
During the Broadband Development Congress (BDC) hosted by the World Broadband Association (WBBA) in Vienna, Bob Chen, President of Huawei's Optical Business Product Line, delivered a keynote address on reshaping network value for new growth in the AI era. He emphasized the need to adapt network construction concepts based on three core principles: Rebuilding network architecture, Reshaping business models, and Redefining network operations and maintenance.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly the proliferation of large models with trillions of parameters, is dramatically altering the objects, frequency, and quality of network connections. Chen argued that the industry must rethink how network value can be reshaped. The key lies in shifting the philosophy of network construction, aligning planning and building with the demands of AI services and Application-defined Data Centers (AIDCs), while simultaneously leveraging AI technology to enhance operational and maintenance capabilities.
Chen outlined a necessary architectural shift from traditional, administratively segmented networks to AIDC-centric designs. He cited the example of Zhongwei in China, which transformed from a low-traffic region into a national computing hub. Networks should be organized into hierarchical layers centered around core, regional, and edge data centers, with direct, one-hop connections to enable deterministic latency and rapid market entry.
Regarding business models, Chen proposed an evolution for enterprise clients from solely selling bandwidth to offering packages of "bandwidth + latency + reliability," along with integrated computing and network services. For residential broadband, this means transitioning from providing simple connections to offering whole-home networking solutions and smart home experiences. Network operations and maintenance must also be redefined, moving from semi-automated processes to intelligent, full-lifecycle solutions.
The address underscored that the network's role is becoming increasingly critical in the AI era. Industry players must adapt their infrastructure and service offerings to meet the demands of new technologies to capitalize on future growth opportunities.