Nokia and Orange France have completed a live trial of optical network tomography. The test could reshape how operators monitor fibre infrastructure.
The technology analyses information from existing optical network equipment. It then builds a clearer view of fibre links and wavelengths. Importantly, it does this without adding separate monitoring probes.
During the trial, the system detected several common network risks. These included fibre degradation, amplifier faults and configuration errors. Operators often find these issues only after service quality starts falling.
This approach could help engineering teams act earlier. Faster detection can reduce service disruption and protect service-level agreements. It may also cut the time spent on manual investigations.
“As network performance requirements become more stringent, operators need deeper visibility into the performance and condition of their transport infrastructures.
“With this successful trial, Orange is taking an important step toward the future of network operations. By using smart automation technology, we can better optimise the network and deliver more resilient services to our customers.”
The trial also points to better use of existing network capacity. When operators understand each optical link more clearly, they can plan upgrades more accurately. They can also avoid unnecessary spending on routes that still perform well.
However, the technology will need careful integration. Operators run complex networks built over many years. Any new automation tool must work with existing systems and operational processes.
There is also a trust factor. Network teams need confidence in automated recommendations. Early warnings must prove accurate enough to support real operational decisions.
Guil Yazdi, VP, Client Executive, Orange at Nokia, added: “For many years, operators have had to rely on point measurements and manual investigations to understand what is happening inside their optical networks.
“This trial is an important milestone because it gives operators near-real-time visibility across optical links, helping them detect degradation, configuration issues and performance problems much earlier.
“Network tomography brings a new level of observability to optical infrastructure, helping operators simplify operations, make better use of existing network assets and prepare for the shift toward AI-native networks.”
For telecom operators, the timing matters. Traffic demand keeps rising across broadband, enterprise and mobile networks. A growing 5G ecosystem also places more pressure on transport infrastructure.
In this environment, optical networks need stronger visibility and faster fault prediction. Tomography could become a useful tool in that shift. It promises deeper insight without large hardware changes.
The trial does not mean instant large-scale deployment. Yet it shows a practical path toward smarter optical operations. For carriers, that path could mean fewer surprises and more resilient services.
