At the 14th Global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF) held in Dubai, UAE, the Intelligent RAN Summit focused on the theme "Advancing Towards Self-Intelligent Networks Level 4, Empowering 5G-Autonomous Intelligence." Operators, analyst organizations, and industry bodies from around the world shared insights into cutting-edge technologies and commercial practices in wireless network intelligence. Together, they delved into the key objectives and pathways for achieving Self-Intelligent Networks Level 4.

The industry widely recognizes that Wireless Self-Intelligent Network Level 4 (L4) refers to RAN capabilities encompassing intent-driven, intelligent sensing, multi-objective decision-making, predictive prevention, etc. This brings a cross-generational experience improvement for operators, including the shift from "strategy deployment" to "intent-driven" in human-machine interaction, from "best effort assurance" to "deterministic experience assurance" in service experience, from "optimal efficiency" to "dual optimization of efficiency and experience" in performance optimization, and from "reactive operations" to "proactive operations based on prevention and prediction" in network operations.

At the summit, Dimitris Mavrakis, Senior Research Director at ABI Research, stated, "RAN intelligence is a crucial foundation for the future network, vital for both toC and toB network development. Huawei's Intelligent RAN brings significant innovations, addressing pain points for operators and reducing network operational complexity. Currently, mainstream equipment vendors' RAN intelligence solutions are progressing rapidly; however, the intelligence controller (RIC) in Open RAN still needs improvement in areas such as system integration and product development."

Wang Xi, Senior Expert at China Mobile Communications Group Fujian Co., Ltd., shared the company's planning for constructing a capability map of self-intelligent networks in a three-layer architecture of NMS, OMC, and network elements. In the context of experience assurance and coastal network optimization, they introduced industry-network collaboration and digital twin technology, effectively enhancing the 5G video user experience and achieving virtual ocean testing, reducing ocean testing costs by over 80%.

Fanningjun, General Manager of Network Department at China Unicom Anhui, stated, "Actively innovating in network intelligence, promoting the evolution of self-intelligent networks, and building a systematic self-intelligent network have achieved tangible results in operation and experience. We made significant breakthroughs in optical link, high-temperature hazard prediction of devices, and real-time analysis and fault cause identification of poor network quality."

Mohamed Yehia ElSayed, Wireless Director at du, a telecom operator in the UAE, shared insights into the application of WTTx Suite 2.0 in the development of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services. The wireless home broadband business in the Middle East is growing rapidly, and in scenarios like desert villas, indoor signal WiFi coverage and user experience are challenging to manage. Through experience-based spectrum allocation and Last Meter (CPE to terminal) visual experience technology, du achieved deterministic assurance for FWA services, effectively accelerating its business development.

Zhao Zhenlong, Vice President of the Huawei MAE domain, said, "Based on Huawei's Intelligent RAN three-layer architecture, we build the key capabilities of Self-Intelligent Network Level 4: intent-driven, intelligent sensing, multi-objective decision-making, predictive prevention. On this basis, we innovate the i-series solutions. At the same time, we actively respond to the GSMA OpenGateway industry initiative, collaborate with industry ecosystem partners, incubate innovative OpenAPI, accelerate industry development, and promote ecosystem prosperity."

At the conclusion of the summit, Huawei unveiled the IntelligentRAN i-series, a new solution designed for Self-Intelligent Network Level 4 (L4):

1. iLiveStreaming: This solution achieves manageable and visualized business experiences, ensuring reliability of over 95% for uplink live streaming services. It utilizes SLA trend intelligent prediction and dynamic allocation of time-frequency-space resources.

2. iKeyEvent: Leveraging traffic time-space prediction technology, iKeyEvent predicts potential risks and generates emergency plans before major events, enabling real-time monitoring and closed-loop response to network risks within minutes.

3. iPowerStar: This solution possesses multi-domain energy-saving capabilities in time, space, frequency, and power. Through multi-objective coordination technology, it helps operators achieve the optimal balance between performance and energy efficiency, potentially saving 30% in carbon emissions.

During the summit, Ma Hongbo, President of Huawei's MAE (Mobile Automation Empowerment) Business Unit, emphasized the crucial role of intelligent technologies in the digital transformation of the wireless industry. He pointed out that with the rapid development of 5G/5G-A networks, industry partners are facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. To adapt to evolving market demands, there's a need to introduce more advanced intelligent technologies such as big models, digital twins, and ubiquitous sensing.

Ma Hongbo called for collaboration among industry partners to explore additional intelligent solutions for wireless networks. The goal is to co-create a thriving ecosystem, work towards the path of business success, and collectively move towards an intelligent world of connectivity.