Huawei Unveils LIGHTS Network Strategy for AI-Driven Infrastructure

Gavin Gu, president of Huawei's Optical Transmission Network Domain, argued that the industry must pivot from consumer-centric models to business-focused architectures. The proposed LIGHTS framework prioritizes six core pillars, including Tbps-level capacity, millisecond-level latency, and hardened security. To support these goals, Huawei’s Next Generation OTN solution addresses both Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and Data Center Access (DCA) environments.

For DCI applications, the technology provides 800G to 2T ultra-high-speed capacity, enabling rapid deployment and maximized fiber utilization. In DCA scenarios, the architecture employs end-to-end OXC for one-hop direct connectivity and fgOTN for granular bandwidth management. These upgrades aim to establish a zero-outage environment essential for modern AI workloads.

Operators are already beginning to leverage these advancements to move beyond simple bandwidth sales. By bundling connectivity with reliability and latency guarantees, providers are creating premium service tiers. In Hubei, China, this approach has allowed operators to offer integrated computing and networking packages to the finance, healthcare, and education sectors, signaling a shift toward more complex, value-added business models.