Xiaocheng Zhang

• Manager
• IOWN TaskForce
• Innovation Center
• Network Architect engaged in APN technical verification
• Participation in open community activities
• ・Telecom Infra Project: Open Optical & Packet Transport
• ・IOWN Global Forum: Open APN Task Force

In January 2020, NTT, Inc., together with Intel Corporation and Sony Corporation, established the IOWN Global Forum as an organization to realize and promote the IOWN Vision, working with partners across various fields. As of February 2026, over 170 partner companies and universities are participating.

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS currently participates in the IOWN Global Forum, contributing to specification studies for the Open APN to promote APN realization, as well as to activities studying use cases in the IOWN Vision.
In the Open APN specification studies, we are leveraging our extensive know-how in network services, cultivated over the years, to handle verification and deployment of results within the APN. Currently, we regularly discuss network architecture and technical specifications with experts in Open APN-related technologies, participate in creating and reviewing Open APN architecture documents, and promote discussions on optical network digital twins. Furthermore, to advance Open APN technology development, we also participate in proof-of-concept (PoC) verifications, share the results with the community, and exhibit Open APN-themed displays at events such as Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exposition (OFC) and Interop Tokyo.

In the use case studies for the IOWN Vision, we participate in activities exploring remote media production use cases. We published a use case document in July 2024. We are advancing plans toward a PoC in 2025.

We also plan to carry out activities to raise broader awareness of the IOWN vision going forward. We hope many people will take a look.

Learn more about the IOWN Global Forum

※Links to an external site.