China Mobile Research Institute Unveils Industry's First B1T Ultra-Broadband Electrical Cross-Connect OTN Prototype System

　　ICC Information news -- Recently, China Mobile Research Institute, in collaboration with FiberHome Communications, has completed the development of the industry’s first Beyond-1T (B1T) ultra-broadband electrical cross-connect Optical Transport Network (OTN) prototype system.

　　In 2024, China Mobile Research Institute led the initiative within ITU-T to establish the world’s first T-bit level optical transport network standard G.B1T. This system is based on the ITU-T B1T standard architecture, marking the first validation of core technologies that enable the transition from single-level to multi-level channel layers. It achieved a significant leap in multi-level channel maximum electrical cross-connect granularity from 100G to 400G, establishing the technical capability for evolution towards T-bit level cross-connect, thereby supporting the multilevel channel layer technology direction of the B1T international standards.

　　China Mobile pioneered generational technological advancements in 400G all-optical networks, fully connecting the country’s “East Data West Calculation” eight major hubs via high-speed 400G interconnection links in 2024, marking the inaugural year of large-scale commercialization of 400G services. The company also initiated forward-looking exploration into next-generation T-bit level all-optical networks. Compared to 400G, T-bit level optical networks require core indicators such as electrical cross-connect bandwidth and line interface rates to be enhanced by more than four times, posing new challenges like insufficient electrical cross-connect capabilities and lower networking efficiency.

　　In July 2024, at the ITU-T SG15 plenary session, China Mobile, together with industry partners, completed the world's first T-bit level optical transport network standard project initiation. They innovatively proposed key technology mechanisms including ultra-broadband multi-level channel layers, dual-rate interface unification, simplified mapping multiplexing, and Ethernet-optimized new containers, signaling the official start of B1T architecture and technology standardization.

　　Based on the ITU-T B1T standard architecture, China Mobile, in conjunction with FiberHome, realized the industry's first B1T ultra-broadband electrical cross-connect OTN prototype system and completed experimental verification. This tested core functionalities and performance metrics of multi-level channel layer electrical cross-connect and ultra-broadband electrical interfaces oriented towards B1T, effectively supporting frontier technology exploration and standard industrial development.

　　B1T represents the next significant generational technology following the 400G era. China Mobile, alongside industry partners, has tackled challenges collaboratively across components, systems, and networks, setting multiple world records including 80×1.2Tb/s transmission over 305km in live networks and S+C+L multi-band 214Tb/s transmission. These achievements have been presented multiple times at top-tier academic conferences in optical communications such as OFC and are advancing the standardization processes of B1T OTN protocols and ultra-wide spectrum optical transmission within ITU-T. Moving forward, China Mobile will further promote deep collaboration among academia, industry, research, and application in the study of B1T optical transport network technologies, accelerating technological innovation and industrial development.