Secure and Trustworthy Next Generation O-RAN Optimisation
A special issue of Future Internet (ISSN 1999-5903). This special issue belongs to the section "Cybersecurity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 137
Special Issue Editors
Interests: internetworking; software-defined network; NFV; edge systems, wireless communications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: wireless network optimization; dynamic spectrum access in cognitive radio networks; software-defined network; internet of things (IoT); heterogeneous networks
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: wireless and mobile communication systems; dynamic/shared spectrum access; wireless internet of things; applications of deep/machine learning to wireless communications
Interests: cognitive radio networks; dynamic spectrum access techniques; algorithm design; localization; open radio access network; integration of machine learning into wireless networks
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Beyond 5G and the upcoming 6G networks offer the potential to transform mobile wireless networks and lay the foundation for a future of converged communication and computing frameworks. An important aspect of this process is the move towards network abstraction through the deployment of new technologies such as the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN), Software-Defined Network (SDN), and neutral host networks; this will open the sector to a wider variety of vendors and network operators. They are also characterized by their configurable nature and the ability of dynamically optimise their performance based on operator requirements. However, as we move towards more mature deployments of these network infrastructures, issues have been uncovered with how they are orchestrated, optimised and managed, in addition to how they can be secured against misuse. This requires providers to carefully consider a wide range of network challenges across a variety of deployment scenarios, while also guaranteeing a secure and trustworthy environment for their operation—for example, through zero-trust techniques. Examples of this could include securing the deployment and interoperation between components, effectively orchestrating the network functions, and governing the interoperation concerns where multiple optimisation algorithms are operating simultaneously with overlapping or even conflicting objectives.
In this Special Issue, prospective authors are invited to submit original and innovative manuscripts on the design, development, testing, and evaluation of Beyond 5G and 6G network components including, but not limited to, the following:
- Design, orchestration and coordination of network architecture based on O-RAN, SDN, and neutral host networks, among others;
- Network optimization algorithms for performance, load balancing, and intelligent spectrum management in future wireless networks;
- Secure and trustworthy deployment and management of mobile networks, catering to both traditional and emerging technologies, such as immersive communications (IC), extended reality (XR), digital twins, and holographic communications.
Dr. Michael Mackay
Dr. Alessandro Raschellà
Dr. Miguel López-Benítez
Dr. Ahmed Al-Tahmeesschi
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Future Internet is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- beyond 5G and 6G network deployment and operation
- RIC functionality
- secure and trustworthy mobile network orchestration
- network optimization design
- network optimization and control
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