ITU's 160 anniversary

Connecting the world and beyond

Special issue on Network orchestration and management for 6G and beyond

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Theme

The evolution towards 6G networks introduces unprecedented complexity, driven by the convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, the proliferation of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), and the demand for highly immersive and mission-critical applications. The scale and heterogeneity of these future networks, combined with stringent requirements for zero-latency, high-fidelity, and hyper-reliable services, render traditional network management paradigms obsolete. A fundamental shift is required towards fully automated, AI-native, and zero-touch operational solutions. This special issue seeks to bring together cutting-edge research that addresses the profound challenges and opportunities in the orchestration and management of 6G systems and beyond.​

We invite contributions that explore novel frameworks, architectures, systems and algorithms for intelligent, efficient, safe, and resilient network automation. The focus is on enabling end-to-end orchestration across multiple domains, from the cloud continuum to the radio access network, ensuring seamless service delivery and optimized resource utilization. This includes harnessing advanced AI/ML techniques, such as generative AI and deep reinforcement learning, to create self-healing, self-optimizing, and self-evolving networks. We also encourage submissions on topics related to security, trust, and sustainability in network management, which are paramount for the successful deployment and societal acceptance of 6G. This special issue aims to foster collaboration among researchers and practitioners to define the future of autonomous network operations.

 Keywords ​

6G, network management, network orchestration, AI/ML, zero-touch networking, intent-based networking, network slicing, security orchestration, automation, digital twin, resource management, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), resilience

​Suggested tracks:
Download the FULL call for papers here​.

Leading Guest Editor​
​​​  Burak Gorkemli, OdineLabs, Turkey
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Guest Editors

 Raouf Boutaba, Un​​​iversity of Waterloo, Canada
​​​  Ahan Kak, Nokia Bell Labs, USA

​​​  Rolf Stadler​, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
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