ZTE corp continues to solidify its position as a global leader in integrated information and communication technology (ICT) solutions. In December 2025, the company announced significant progress in two major areas of telecommunications infrastructure. These developments involve 6G transport technology and the standardization of AI-driven all-optical networks.
At a recent meeting held by the ITU-T Study Group 15 (SG15) in Geneva, Switzerland, ZTE worked alongside industry partners to secure several technical milestones. These achievements highlight the commitment of the organization to driving the future of connectivity.
ZTE corp and the Milestone for 6G Transport Standards
A major highlight for ZTE corp is the approval of the 800G Metro Transport Network (MTN) standard. This has been recognized as the first proposed international standard for 6G transmission. This achievement demonstrates the continuous leadership of the industry in 6G transmission technology.
ZTE collaborated with China Mobile, State Grid, and China Southern Power Grid to reach this breakthrough. As a co-editor of the MTN standards, ZTE is actively pushing for the evolution of transport networks. These networks must now support ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-low latency. The 800G MTN interface represents a massive jump from the 400 Gbps rates common in the 5G era.
Advancing Slicing Packet Network Technology
The technological system known as Slicing Packet Network (SPN) and Metro Transport Network (MTN) is a core focus for ZTE corp. This system innovatively combines Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) hard slicing with packet statistical multiplexing. This allows for physical isolation of data and deterministic forwarding, which is vital for high-security sectors like power grids.
Since the initial approval of MTN by ITU-T SG15 in 2018, the industry has seen large-scale implementation. More than 400,000 units have been deployed globally. This massive footprint provides robust support for 5G development and digital transformation. ZTE is now evolving this technology to meet the even more stringent requirements of 6G.
ZTE corp Completes Guiding Standards for Global Networks
During the ITU-T SG15 meeting, ZTE corp contributed to the completion of the MTN standard system framework. The release of the guiding standard G.8312.20 Amd2 marks a major step forward. This standard adds descriptions for Constant Bit Rate (CBR) customer services. It also introduces new rules for synchronization and management & control.
The completion of this framework ensures that MTN will be promoted as a key transmission technology direction. For ZTE, this means its solutions will have a clearer path for global adoption. The standard provides a unified way for different parts of the network to work together. This creates a stable environment for operators who are looking to upgrade their infrastructure for the 6G era.
Supporting Computing Power Networks
As the world moves toward more centralized data processing, ZTE corp is providing the necessary technical basis for computing power networks. The company helped release the G.Sup92 standard, which offers a new framework for data center synchronization.
This standard, combined with the new 800G MTN project, allows MTN technology to expand into the data center domain. This expansion is critical for the convergence of computing and networking. ZTE is helping to create an interconnection foundation for data centers that is efficient, deterministic, and intelligent. By doing so, ZTE ensures that the massive amounts of data generated by AI and 6G applications can be handled with ease.
Evolution of Traditional Networks
The replacement of legacy systems is a major challenge for telecommunications operators, and ZTE corp is providing the solution. The release of the Technical White Paper on “Introduction to Metro Transport Network” (GSTP.MTN) marks a significant milestone. This is the first new-generation white paper on transmission technology since the OTN paper in 2010.
This white paper outlines how MTN serves as the ideal solution for phasing out older Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) networks. MTN offers dual advantages: high-capacity transmission and flexible scheduling for multiple services. This path has been officially recognized by ITU-T SG15. It provides technical guidance for network evolution in several sectors.
AI All-Optical Networks and TAPI Standards
Moving beyond transport, ZTE corp is also revolutionizing the SDN (Software Defined Network) controller layer. ZTE and its industry partners have initiated the Transport Application Programming Interface (TAPI) standard. This standard was successfully approved under Question 12 of ITU-T SG15.
The primary goal of the TAPI standard is to solve interoperability challenges. In the past, it was difficult to make devices from different vendors work together at the controller layer. TAPI introduces a unified interface specification. This allows operators to build open and decoupled SDN networks. By separating control functions from transport functions, ZTE is enabling a more flexible and intelligent network architecture. TAPI is currently the interface standard with the most interoperability tests in the industry.
Successful Live Network Deployment
The practical application of these standards is already visible through the work of ZTE corp. In China, ZTE completed TAPI northbound interface tests with China Unicom. These tests used a specialized SD-OTN orchestrator.
Following these tests, the technology was deployed in a live network. This deployment allows for rapid service configuration and automated management across different control domains. It proves that the standards proposed by ZTE are not just theoretical. They provide real-world benefits by enhancing operational efficiency and improving service quality for end users. This live deployment is a major step toward the “AI All-Optical Network” paradigm.
Conclusion: The Global Leadership of ZTE corp
ZTE corp has demonstrated its technical authority through these recent breakthroughs in 6G and AI optical networking. The approval of the 800G MTN standard and the initiation of the TAPI project are pivotal moments for the industry. They reinforce the role of ZTE as a primary driver of international telecommunications standards.
These innovations provide a clear roadmap for the evolution of 5G to 6G. They also offer practical solutions for the digital transformation of critical industries. By focusing on interoperability, ultra-high bandwidth, and AI integration, ZTE is ensuring that the global network infrastructure is ready for the challenges of the future. The company remains dedicated to creating an efficient and intelligent interconnection foundation for the world.
