Nokia and du completed a production-style trial that applied classical and generative AI to accelerate optical network planning and day-to-day operations. The partners tested Nokia’s WaveSuite AI, an automation assistant that exposes network intelligence through a natural-language interface. du cited faster troubleshooting, fewer errors in routine changes, and better resource utilization. The operator also reported concrete planning gains: roughly half the time to develop optical plans and about 30% greater efficiency in network designs, which translates to less overbuild and faster time-to-market. The net effect is improved service delivery and a smoother experience for operations teams tasked with meeting strict SLAs.