Three revolutions of communication networks and key technologies for AI-driven revolution

Zhang Tongxu; Duan Xiaodong; Cheng Weiqiang; Zhang Xiaoguang

doi:10.11959/j.issn.1000-0801.DXKX260045

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Three revolutions of communication networks and key technologies for AI-driven revolution

Expert Views | 更新时间：2026-06-17

- Three revolutions of communication networks and key technologies for AI-driven revolution
- Telecommunications Science Vol. 42, Issue 5, Pages: 1-14(2026)
- 作者机构：
  
  中国移动通信有限公司研究院，北京 100053
- 作者简介：
- 基金信息：
  
  The National Key Research and Development Program of China(2024YFB2906600;2024YFB2906601)
- DOI：10.11959/j.issn.1000-0801.DXKX260045
  CLC： TN915;TP393
- Received：15 January 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-01-26，
  
  Accepted：12 March 2026，
  
  Published：20 May 2026
- 稿件说明：
移动端阅览
张同须,段晓东,程伟强等.通信网络三次变革及AI化变革的关键技术[J].电信科学,2026,42(05):1-14.

Zhang Tongxu,Duan Xiaodong,Cheng Weiqiang,et al.Three revolutions of communication networks and key technologies for AI-driven revolution[J].Telecommunications Science,2026,42(05):1-14.
张同须,段晓东,程伟强等.通信网络三次变革及AI化变革的关键技术[J].电信科学,2026,42(05):1-14. DOI： 10.11959/j.issn.1000-0801.DXKX260045.

Zhang Tongxu,Duan Xiaodong,Cheng Weiqiang,et al.Three revolutions of communication networks and key technologies for AI-driven revolution[J].Telecommunications Science,2026,42(05):1-14. DOI： 10.11959/j.issn.1000-0801.DXKX260045.

摘要

系统梳理了通信网络几十年的发展变化，提出了通信网络大约每十年发生一次具有里程碑意义的重大变革的规律，即从最初的电路交换开始，发生了IP化变革、IT化变革和正在进行的AI化变革这三次变革。系统总结分析了这三次变革并重点剖析了AI化变革：网络IP化通过从电路交换到分组交换和从交换IP化到端到端全IP化的演进，实现了数据业务的高效承载；网络IT化基于软件定义网络（software defined network，SDN）/网络功能虚拟化（network functions virtualization，NFV）等技术，推动了通信网络架构由封闭、刚性向开放、弹性的转变；网络AI化的核心在于“网络使能AI”与“AI赋能网络”的双向赋能，前者旨在构建支撑超大规模智算的高性能互联底座，后者将AI深度融入网络系统，推动网络运行、网络运维以及应用与服务向目标驱动、全域自主的“智能原生”范式演进。最后，对未来通信网络发展进行了展望，提出未来“AI+”时代将推动通信网络从单纯的连接基础设施向智能化、服务化的新型信息基础设施转型和升级。

Abstract

The development of communication networks over several decades was systematically reviewed

and the law that communication networks undergo a landmark major revolution approximately every decade was proposed.Starting from the initial circuit switching

there were three revolutions: the IP-based revolution

the IT-based revolution

and the ongoing AI-driven revolution. These three revolutions with a focus on the AI-driven one were summarized and analyzed: the IP-based revolution enabled highly efficient data transmission by evolving from circuit switching to packet switching and from IP-based switching to end-to-end IP networking

the IT-based revolution

driven by technologies such as software defined network (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) etc

upgraded communication network architectures from closed and rigid to open and elastic

the key points of the AI-driven revolution were “network for AI” and “AI for network”. The former aimed to construct a high-performance interconnection base for ultra-large-scale intelligent computing

while the latter integrated AI deeply into network systems

promoting the evolution of network operation

network maintenance

as well as applications and services towards a goal-driven

fully autonomous “intelligence-native” paradigm. Finally

the prospect of the future development of communication networks was prospected

and it was proposed that the future “AI+” era would drive the transformation and upgrading of communication networks from mere connectivity infrastructure to intelligent and service-oriented new information infrastructure.

关键词

Keywords

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