Dubai, UAE, October 13, 2023 – During UBBF 2023, Richard Jin, President of Huawei Optical Business Product Line, delivered a keynote speech titled “Bring F5.5G to Reality: Milestones on Our Way to an Intelligent World”. In this speech, Richard introduced the concept of a three-phase network construction, marking a significant step in network development. The three driving forces for this development are video (100Mbps network), experience (1Gbps network), and intelligence (10Gbps network). In response, Huawei launched the F5.5G-oriented three-phase all-optical target network architecture, addressing the specific network connection needs of each phase and propelling us toward an intelligent world.
Phase 1: Video-Driven, All-Optical Coverage for 100Mbps Home Broadband
With the rising demand for high-resolution video and immersive XR experiences, the bandwidth requirement has surged from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps and even 1000 Mbps. In this phase, HD video and video interaction play a pivotal role in establishing an all-optical network with a 100 Mbps home broadband rate. To achieve this, operators need to transition to Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC), replacing copper lines with Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) all-optical networks. Serialized AirPON technology can expedite FTTH deployment, supporting both GPON and 10G PON compatibility for rapid gigabit service provisioning in high-demand areas. Simultaneously, operators should deploy Optical Transport Networks (OTN) to the metro aggregation layer, constructing 3D-mesh 400G-ready backbone networks, ensuring non-blocking bandwidth and eliminating video lag. Key technological innovations in this phase encompass FlexPON, DQ ODN, and high-performance 400G solutions.
Phase 2: Experience-Driven, All-Optical Connections Extending 1Gbps to Rooms
In this phase, diverse digital applications demand fiber connectivity to living rooms, bedrooms, studies, and kitchens, providing seamless network experiences and fulfilling the desire for immersive experiences. Users are willing to invest in a premium home network experience. End-to-end (E2E) service experience assurance is pivotal to extending all-optical connections to every room at 1 Gbps. To accomplish this, operators must upgrade to 10G PON for full gigabit service delivery. The introduction of Fiber-to-the-Room (FTTR), metro 100G OTN to Central Office (CO), and 400G non-blocking ultra-broadband are essential. Technological innovations in this phase include FTTR, metro pooling WDM, and an intelligent network management and control system.
Phase 3: Intelligence-Driven, All-Optical Computing for 10Gbps Everywhere
The era of AI accelerates content creation and drives intelligent industrial transformations. Coping with surging data traffic and massive data migration to the cloud necessitates a computing-centric network capable of bus-level connections. Like a computer’s CPU, bus, and peripherals, data center (DC) computing and storage capabilities must seamlessly interact with end-users via a high-performance network for all-optical computing at 10Gbps Everywhere.
In this phase, an FTTR-based all-optical home bus supports plug-and-play IoT devices, integrating connection, sensing, computing, and storage capabilities for 10Gbps throughout a home. An all-optical cloud bus, based on 50G PON and 800G OTN, enables all-optical one-hop user-DC or DC-DC connections. Notable technological innovations in this phase encompass 50G PON, metro OTN completely connected to the CO, and 800G backbone solutions. Additionally, OTN is designed for DC scenarios. Huawei introduces Kepler, the next-generation OTN platform, offering over 100T single-subrack switching capacity. Kepler achieves a 65% reduction in power consumption per Gbit and a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.2, thanks to new materials and structures. It also provides intelligent computing units to enhance connectivity efficiency.
The three-phase all-optical target network allows for parallel evolution and smooth upgrades from F5G to F5.5G. Richard emphasized the importance of choosing the most suitable all-optical target network construction solution for different development phases. The transition to 100Mbps has transformed content, 1Gbps is revolutionizing the broadband experience, and 10Gbps will reshape society. He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to collaborate in realizing F5.5G and advancing towards an intelligent world.
