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Ministry of Communications | TRAI
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has released the “International Optical Networks towards 2030 and Beyond” (ION-2030) framework to guide the evolution of global connectivity in the age of artificial intelligence.
Developed by ITU-T Study Group 15, ION-2030 establishes a strategic vision for optical networks to meet the explosive demands of 6G networks (IMT-2030), distributed AI training, and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC). The framework emphasizes a “mutual empowerment” model where AI optimizes network reliability and energy efficiency through digital twins, while optical infrastructure provides the high-capacity, sub-millisecond latency required for real-time AI inference.
By prioritizing terabit-per-second connectivity and quantum-resilient designs, ION-2030 aims to create a sustainable, intelligent backbone that supports humanity’s growing digital aspirations through 2030 and beyond.
Key Pillars of the ION-2030 Framework
Mutual Empowerment of AI and Optics: Positioning AI as a driver for autonomous network control while optical layers provide the deterministic connectivity needed for distributed AI.
High-Performance Architecture: Targetting terabit-per-second speeds and sub-millisecond latency to support emerging 6G and industrial digital services.
Intelligence and Sensing Integration: Embedding AI agents and sensing capabilities within the optical layer for real-time awareness and automation.
Sustainable and Quantum-Resilient Design: Prioritizing energy-efficient operations and long-term security against quantum computing threats.
Application-Specific Supplements: Extending the framework to specialized environments including data centers (GSTR.ION-aiDC), broadband access, and home networking.
What is “Sub-Millisecond Latency”? Sub-millisecond latency refers to a time delay of less than one one-thousandth of a second in the transmission of data from source to destination. In the ION-2030 era, this ultra-low latency is the “speed of thought” required for high-stakes AI applications, such as remote robotic surgery, autonomous vehicle coordination, and real-time synchronized manufacturing. While 5G achieved millisecond-level response, the sub-millisecond target of ION-2030 ensures that the optical backbone does not become a bottleneck for the near-instantaneous inference required by next-generation 6G and agentic AI systems.
Policy Relevance
The ION-2030 framework represents a transition from digital utility to “Intelligent Infrastructure”, providing a global benchmark for India’s ₹42.36 lakh route km fiber network to evolve into an AI-ready asset.
Strategic Impact:
Future-Proofing BharatNet: Integrating ION-2030’s “intelligence and sensing” into the national fiber expansion ensures that rural Gram Panchayats are ready for the 6G and AI-led services of the next decade.
Boosting AI Skill Penetration: As India already leads with 2.5x global AI skill penetration, a terabit-per-second optical backbone will provide the “proving ground” for domestic developers to build globally competitive distributed AI models.
Enhancing Industrial Competitiveness: Sub-millisecond latency is the key to reducing India’s 10-18% cost disadvantage in high-tech manufacturing by enabling “lights-out” automated factories and real-time digital twins.
Securing Digital Sovereignty: Adopting ION-2030’s quantum-resilient designs ensures that India’s financial and governance data remains secure against future cryptographic threats.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How should India align its optical transport investments and standards strategy with ION-2030 to simultaneously advance 6G, AI scalability, and sustainable digital infrastructure?
Follow the full report here: ITU: ION-2030 Enabling the Intelligent Optical Network Era