Huawei Proposes Network Value Reconfiguration for AI Era Growth

VIENNA, October 16, 2026 – At the Network X 2026 event, Huawei outlined a strategy to adapt network infrastructure for the burgeoning era of artificial intelligence (AI). Bob Chen, President of Huawei's Optical Business Product Line, presented a keynote emphasizing the need to reconfigure network value through three core principles: rebuilding network architecture, reconfiguring business models, and redefining network operations and maintenance (O&M).

Chen highlighted that the rapid advancement of AI, including the exponential growth in parameters for large AI models, is fundamentally changing network connection requirements. He argued that the industry must shift its network construction philosophy to focus on the demands of AI services and AI Data Centers (AIDC), while also leveraging AI to enhance network O&M capabilities.

The proposed rebuilding of network architecture involves moving from traditional, administratively divided networks to an AIDC-centric model. This entails restructuring networks around core, regional, and edge data centers, enabling deterministic latency levels crucial for AI applications. For business customers, the shift is from selling raw bandwidth to offering a multidimensional service including bandwidth, latency, and reliability, potentially integrated with computing platforms.

In the residential broadband sector, the strategy involves evolving from basic connectivity to comprehensive home networking and smart home experiences. The O&M aspect requires transitioning from semi-automated operations to intelligent, lifecycle-wide management. Chen concluded that these strategic reconfigurations are essential for network operators to unlock new growth and meet the evolving demands of the AI-driven digital landscape.