Huawei and African Utilities Reveal fgOTN For Power Grids
Huawei joins forces with African utilities to launch a white paper on fine-grain Optical Transmission Network (fgOTN) technology, setting the stage for a communications upgrade across the continent’s power infrastructure.
The move signals a shift from ageing systems to intelligent, AI-ready networks that promise greater control, stability and future-readiness.
Leaving legacy networks behind
Africa’s power sector is moving fast. As utilities take on digital transformation, many are stuck with communications systems designed decades ago.
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) has served its purpose, but it no longer meets the needs of an energy industry driven by automation, artificial intelligence and live data.
Unveiled at the Africa Energy Forum in Johannesburg, the fgOTN White Paper gives energy providers a clear way forward. It calls out the limitations of legacy infrastructure and outlines how to replace it with a high-performance Optical Transport Network (OTN) model built for today’s digital grid.
This isn’t just about speed. It’s about reliability. Secure, real-time data transmission is vital when controlling power grids that affect millions.
The fgOTN model does this using what’s known as hard-pipe technology – dedicated channels that isolate traffic and ensure stable service delivery. For utilities operating critical infrastructure, this level of control is not optional: it’s essential.
- Fully automated network management
- Intelligent and digitalised infrastructure
- Centralised and unattended operational capabilities
- Seamless integration with enterprise-level digital workflows
- Support for market-based energy transactions
The promise of fine-grain transmission
So, what exactly is fgOTN?
At its core, it’s a more granular version of OTN technology that enables small, dedicated channels for data to travel across. This means better use of available bandwidth, stronger protection from interference and increased resilience against faults.
The white paper highlights how fgOTN fits the needs of today’s smart grids. As utilities invest in AI-driven systems for grid management and real-time fault detection, they need a communication backbone that matches the intelligence of the tools it supports.
And there’s more than tech at stake. The white paper makes it clear: the future of energy distribution in Africa depends on digital infrastructure that is automated, intelligent and integrated with enterprise systems. It must also support decentralised energy generation and new market-driven models of power exchange.
Huawei isn’t just offering a solution—it’s making a case for long-term industry leadership in this space.
Luo Xin, Optical Product Director at Huawei Southern Africa Region, explains:
“fgOTN is a new ITU-T-defined technology that inherits the safety and stability of SDH and adds the scalability and intelligence of OTN.
"It’s tailor-made for the power industry. In April, CIGRE established the D2.65 working group to explore its application in the energy sector.
"With this white paper, we aim to empower African utilities to embrace fgOTN as a core enabler of smart grid communications.”
Building smart energy systems for the future
For engineers and telecom providers working with utilities, fgOTN presents a new kind of challenge – and a new kind of opportunity.
The system supports more than just voice or control signals. It forms a complete data environment that allows energy companies to run complex digital workflows, automate maintenance and deliver energy more efficiently.
The technology’s design also supports unattended operations, where networks can run with minimal human intervention, and tight integration with broader IT systems. This means fewer delays, lower risk of outages and faster reaction times when something does go wrong.
The release of the white paper also underscores growing global interest. With the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE) backing the formation of a dedicated fgOTN working group, African utilities aren’t just keeping pace – they’re helping shape global standards.
For a continent where energy access and stability remain uneven, fgOTN offers a roadmap for building infrastructure that can grow with demand. It allows power providers to bypass some of the pitfalls that have slowed digital upgrades in the past.
By embracing fine-grain optical networking now, African energy operators take a step toward stronger grids and smarter services – and position themselves to meet tomorrow’s energy needs on their own terms.
