Huawei Pushes Autonomous Networks
At MWC Barcelona, Huawei unveiled an updated solution called ICNMaster, designed to bring new levels of autonomy to telecom core networks. The system uses AI-driven operations and intent-based networking to help operators manage the growing complexity of 5G and edge computing.
The push for autonomous networks is benchmarked on a 0-5 scale by the TM Forum, with Level 4 representing a significant leap where the network can self-manage and make its own decisions in complex scenarios with minimal human oversight. Huawei's strategy is to advance operators to this L4 stage, with a core objective of achieving this milestone by 2025 as part of its 5.5G vision. This drive toward automation is a response to the ballooning complexity of modern telecom networks. The rollout of 5G, the surge in IoT devices, and the shift to edge computing have created an operational environment where manual intervention is becoming increasingly inefficient and prone to error. Autonomous systems are seen as essential for managing this complexity and ensuring network stability. Huawei's journey in this domain began with the introduction of its Autonomous Driving Network (ADN) concept and solutions around 2018. The strategy has been to embed AI across all layers of the network, from individual network elements to cross-domain collaboration, to create self-healing and self-optimizing systems. The ICNMaster solution is a key product of this long-term strategy, specifically targeting the core network. Real-world deployments are already demonstrating significant efficiency gains. In collaboration with China Mobile, Huawei's intelligent O&M solutions have resulted in an 87% improvement in alarm-handling efficiency and a 64% boost in complaint-handling efficiency. Similarly, South African operator MTN is using Huawei's ADN to automate network analysis and optimization. The competitive landscape for autonomous networks includes major players like Ericsson and Nokia, who are also developing AI-driven solutions. While Ericsson's focus is heavily on the Radio Access Network (RAN), and Nokia is pursuing a dual strategy involving its connectivity portfolio, Huawei's approach is to provide an end-to-end AI infrastructure that spans from silicon to software and operations. Looking ahead, the industry-wide goal is to reach Level 5, or fully autonomous networks. For Huawei, the evolution beyond the current L4 solutions involves preparing for the 6G era. This includes creating "agentic networks" where AI agents can collaborate across different domains and even between different equipment suppliers, a step further in the journey toward a completely hands-off, intelligent network infrastructure.
