High bandwidth + low latency. How can F5G support "millisecond computing" in the metropolitan area?
Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the "Notice on Carrying out the Special Action for Metropolitan 'Millisecond Computing'". It proposes to accelerate the deployment of high - performance networks between computing power centers, and orderly promote the application of high - speed optical transmission system equipment such as metropolitan 400Gbps and above and all - optical cross - connection. By 2027, the deployment rate of 400Gbps at the exits of medium - sized and above computing power centers in the metropolitan area should be no less than 50%, and the deployment rate of all - optical cross - connection at important metropolitan sites should be no less than 50%.
Stimulated by this news, on October 20th, the A - share F5G concept opened high and moved higher. As of press time, the constituent stock, Chuling Information (300250.SZ), rose 12.42%, while CITIC Heavy Industries (601608.SH), Cambridge Technology (603083.SH), and Risitongda (603803.SH) hit the daily limit.
Promote the Implementation of Metropolitan "Millisecond Computing"
The concept of F5G originated from the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Its full name is The 5th generation Fixed networks, which means the fifth - generation fixed network. It is represented by gigabit fiber - optic networks and together with the fifth - generation mobile network represented by 5G, they form the "dual - gigabit" network. As a new - generation network technology based on fiber - optic connections, F5G has many advantages such as a green and minimalist architecture, stability and reliability, and flexibility for easy adjustment. Technically, F5G is the fifth - generation fixed network represented by technologies such as 10GPON, LiquidOTN, Wi - Fi6, and 200G/400G.
F5G technology is also an important support for achieving the goal of metropolitan "millisecond computing", and the implementation of this special action will further promote the application and development of F5G technology.
It is understood that the F5G - A all - optical quality transport network has the characteristics of "large bandwidth, low latency, high reliability, and strong intelligence". Its end - to - end all - optical switching capability allows AI services to directly reach the computing power center in one hop, ensuring a deterministic low - latency experience and meeting the requirements of metropolitan "millisecond computing", such as achieving millisecond interconnection (<1 millisecond) between computing power centers for infrastructure and millisecond access (<1 millisecond) to computing resources for key locations.
This special action has put forward clear goals and tasks. For example, by 2027, the one - way interconnection latency of the optical layer between medium - sized and above computing power centers in the metropolitan area should be less than 1 millisecond, and the deployment rate of 400Gbps at the exits of medium - sized and above computing power centers in the metropolitan area should be no less than 50%.
The setting of these goals and tasks provides a clear direction and quantitative standards for the promotion of metropolitan "millisecond computing". On the one hand, the requirement of the one - way interconnection latency of the optical layer being less than 1 millisecond will greatly improve the data transmission efficiency between computing power centers, meeting the needs of business scenarios with extremely high requirements for low latency, such as real - time financial transactions and remote medical surgeries. On the other hand, the deployment rate of 400Gbps at the exits of medium - sized and above computing power centers in the metropolitan area being no less than 50% will effectively increase the exit bandwidth of computing power centers, providing guarantee for the rapid transmission of massive data and promoting the development and application of emerging technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence.
In addition, this special action will also drive the development of relevant industrial chains, including optical transmission equipment manufacturers and network solution providers, bringing new development opportunities to the industry.
Penetrate into All Walks of Life
Currently, F5G technology has been applied in multiple industries.
During the digital transformation process, the manufacturing industry has extremely high requirements for network bandwidth, latency, and reliability. F5G technology can provide factories with network connections with ultra - large bandwidth and deterministic low latency. For example, in the New Energy Battery Laboratory of the FAW Group's Science and Technology Innovation Base, the terminal data needs to be detected and uploaded in real - time. The F5G network realizes end - to - end dual - link protection with a switching time of less than 30 milliseconds, ensuring smooth and seamless data collection and smooth operation of precise scientific research tests.
The development of intelligent transportation requires real - time and accurate data transmission and processing. F5G technology can provide low - latency and high - reliability network support for various applications in the transportation field. For example, the all - optical intersections built in Taicang City, Jiangsu Province based on F5G technology integrate big data, artificial intelligence and other technologies. By optimizing the signal timing through networked data, the intelligent and refined level of urban road traffic signal control has been improved.
The medical industry has extremely high requirements for real - time and accuracy. Applications such as remote diagnosis and surgical robots require low - latency and high - reliability network connections. F5G technology can provide high - speed and stable network support for medical services. Nanshan Hospital has strengthened the "digital foundation" of its smart hospital with the help of F5G - A technology.
Financial transactions have strict requirements for network latency and reliability. A millisecond - level latency difference may affect the success or failure of a transaction and the profit. The low - latency feature of F5G technology can ensure the rapid execution and settlement of financial transactions, reducing transaction risks.
Cultural and entertainment industry: With the increasingly widespread application of technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and high - definition video in the cultural and entertainment field, the requirements for network bandwidth and latency are also getting higher. The large - bandwidth and low - latency features of F5G technology can provide users with a more smooth and immersive entertainment experience. For example, cloud rendering and cloud gaming services require low - latency network support.
Listed Companies Have Their Own Advantages
According to Flush, there are currently 36 constituent stocks in the F5G concept, which are widely distributed in multiple sub - fields such as communication equipment manufacturing, optical fiber and cable production, and network integration services. Geographically, they cover many economically developed regions and areas with active technological innovation in China, forming a certain industrial cluster effect.
Among them, Chuling Information focuses on the research and development of a 10GPON + 5G+WiFi6 tri - in - one product. This product supports dual uplinks of 10GPON and 5G, is equipped with 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 8 telephone ports for downlink, and also supports downlink WiFi6 wireless networking. This product design can meet the needs of enterprises and households for high - speed network access, providing strong support for the terminal application of F5G networks.
Cambridge Technology is the leader in home broadband terminals, with over 30 million F5G optical modems shipped. Its enterprise - level F5G gateway supports 10 - Gigabit access, suitable for the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry. The company has also cooperated with Huawei to develop an "F5G + Wi - Fi 7" integrated terminal with a latency of less than 10ms. In the industry, Cambridge Technology has launched a private network solution for "F5G + education", supporting high - definition video in 500 classrooms simultaneously. In addition, the company's F5G IoT gateway supports the access of more than 1000 devices and can be used in scenarios such as smart parks and warehousing logistics. Its industrial Ethernet switch has a market share of 12%, covering industries such as power and transportation.
The intelligent switching gateway developed by Risitongda, when combined with a 5G router, can realize 5G link backup for services such as telecontrol and dispatching voice in substations. Its 5G plug - and - play gateway power differential protection solution uses 5G network slicing technology to improve the utilization efficiency of network resources and ensure the differentiated service requirements of vertical industries. The company has also developed products such as intelligent integrated terminals, 5G + edge cloud, 5G MEC, and intelligent RTUs, which have entered the pilot implementation and technical specification formulation stages.
Zhongji Xuchuang provides 10G PON optical modules for F5G fixed networks, accounting for about 40% of the demand in this field, and has an important position in F5G fixed network access. The company's 800G optical module technology is leading, with the first global market share. It has supplied products in batches to enterprises such as Microsoft and Google for F5G backhaul in cloud data centers, meeting the high - speed and large - capacity transmission requirements of data centers.
This article is from the WeChat public account "Lanfu Finance Network", author: Lanfu Finance Network. Republished with permission by 36Kr.