Next Generation FAN Unlocks Four Monetization Waves for Operators, Driving Broadband Growth in the AI Era

VIENNA, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Ultra-Broadband Forum 2026 (UBBF 2026), Jared Feng, President of Huawei's Optical Access Network Domain, delivered a keynote speech titled "Next Generation FAN Enables Operators' Four-Wave Monetization for AI Era Broadband New Growth." He pointed out that as AI technologies are widely implemented, the business logic of the telecom industry is undergoing profound transformation: On the home side, applications such as AI healthcare, cloud gaming, and AI live streaming are booming. On the enterprise side, demand for AI computing power scheduling, smart security, and smart offices is also surging. Users' requirements for networks have shifted from "connectivity" to "connectivity + AI services". The in-depth integration of optical networks and AI has become the core direction of industry evolution. The optical access industry is moving from the connectivity phase into a new era of intelligence-driven value growth.

ITU-T has officially released the ION-2030 vision, establishing the evolution framework for the global optical network industry and outlining three key directions for the mutual empowerment of AI and optical networks: First, AI agent services, which are used to build more diversified application scenarios based on AI agents. Second, on-demand quality assurance, which fully leverages the advantages of optical networks, such as large bandwidth, low latency, and high reliability, to guarantee AI service experiences. Third, AI-enabled Level 4 autonomous driving networks (ADNs), which use AI technologies to boost network O&M efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Jared Feng stated that, to support operators in achieving commercial success of optical broadband in the AI era, Huawei innovatively launches the Next Generation FAN solution along with a portfolio of new products. Centered on the three key directions for the mutual empowerment of AI and optical networks, these new offerings help operators capitalize on four monetization waves across coverage, bandwidth, experience, and service.

• Coverage monetization: To address the pain points such as difficult cabling, long delivery cycles, and high costs in outdoor scenarios and existing buildings, Huawei launches the 4-core PreConnection solution, implementing plug-and-play and eliminating the need for splicing. This cuts investment by 20% and shortens the Time to Market (TTM) by 70%. In addition, Huawei launches the integrated Access Terminal Box (ATB) solution for indoor scenarios. This solution uses four-core self-bonding transparent cables and built-in pigtails to greatly simplify the construction and reduce the deployment time by 75%, achieving efficient and cost-effective FTTH deployment.
• Bandwidth monetization: Huawei's innovative FlexPON 2.0 Pro enables operators to build 10G PON-ready networks with GPON investment. In addition, Huawei launches FlexPON 3.0, which helps operators build 50G PON-ready networks with 10G PON investment. Both of them support Combo SFP ports and are compatible with existing ONTs, helping operators achieve one-time construction, multiple upgrades, and continuous growth.
• Experience monetization: For home scenarios, Huawei launches a full lineup of Wi-Fi 7 tri-band Next Generation ONT products, as well as Next Generation Mesh and Next Generation FTTR solutions. The Wi-Fi 7 tri-band Next Generation ONT provides up to 4 Gbps bandwidth. It works with Wi-Fi 7 tri-band APs and uses 8 dBi smart antennas to implement 1000 Mbps Wi-Fi mesh networking in the whole house. The Wi-Fi 7 tri-band FTTR solution uses technologies such as AI anti-interference and intelligent Wi-Fi intelligent interface scheduling to provide 2000 Mbps to 4000 Mbps ultra-gigabit networking across the whole house, delivering premium experience with deterministic rates, coverage, and application latency. For the SME market, Huawei launches the Wi-Fi 7 Next Generation FTTO NVR hub solution, which integrates FTTR and enterprise security, provides 2000 Mbps ultra-high Wi-Fi 7 rates, and supports SuperCoding 3.0, reducing the storage space occupation by 85% and achieving one disk equivalent to six. This solution meets the requirements of typical SMEs such as restaurants, supermarkets, and chain stores.
• Service monetization: Huawei launches an innovative Wi-Fi 7 ONT and FTTR radar solution, enabling seamless sensing that easily detects home intrusion or situations where the elderly remain motionless. Compared with the standard Wi-Fi sensing technology, the solution can detect objects within a range of 7 meters, with an accuracy of over 95% and a false positive rate of less than 1%. In addition, the solution can effectively filter out interference from pets and fans, helping operators provide value-added services such as home security and elderly care. In addition, Huawei has introduced AI technologies into home terminals, transforming traditional gateways into AI service home hubs. Leveraging the AI computing power of terminals and built-in AI agents, Huawei provides a wide range of smart applications, such as smart movie viewing, 3D movie viewing, and AI fitness, helping operators transform from selling bandwidth only to selling both bandwidth and AI application services.

Looking ahead, Jared Feng emphasized that Huawei will continue to increase investment in the Next Generation FAN solution and help customers capitalize on the four monetization waves—coverage, bandwidth, experience, and service—empowering operators to achieve new growth in optical broadband services in the AI era. Also, Huawei will keep working closely with global operators and industry partners to advance optical access networks towards the AI era.

SOURCE Huawei