Nokia Bell Labs have taken a significant leap forward in the application of AI and machine learning in the telecom sector by introducing their Natural-Language Networking technology. This development presents a breakthrough for network administrators, enabling them to allocate network resources effectively by using a simple text or voice command.
Imagine not having to go through exhaustive technical catalogs and intricate API revelations during network resource configurations. This could soon be the reality for telcos, according to Csaba Vulkan, Network Systems Automation research leader at Nokia Bell Labs. His words paint a future where phrases like ‘Optimize the network at X location for Y service’ will be sufficient to adjust a network to specific tasks, such as setting up a wireless network in a factory for automated robotics or tweaking networks for mass-social media uploads at big events.
A truly fascinating aspect of this Natural-Language Networking technology is that it continuously learns to improve network optimization. Over time, this ‘smart’ network learns to anticipate user’s needs and adapt itself accordingly, effectively reducing the need for human intervention.
This game-changing release is part of Nokia’s ambitious UNEXT program, designed to craft a self-regulating, interactive operating system. UNEXT aims to mirror the success of Nokia’s influential UNIX system and manage the expanding intricacy of networks better. The program’s core approach is to treat every element within the network—an application, a microservice, a device, or an access node—as self-sufficient entities. Each of these elements should function independently, but at the same time work harmoniously with others.
Azimeh Sefidcon, Head of Network Systems and Security Research at Nokia Bell Labs, views Natural-Language Networks as embodying a key facet of the UNEXT’s capabilities. He sees the simplification of network management as not just an advantage, but also as a stepping stone towards the larger goal of UNEXT— to broaden the scope of networked systems and overcome hurdles that hinder system interoperability.
