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CfP - IEEE MNC Special Session on AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks
by GIOVANNI STANCO 20 Apr '26

20 Apr '26

====================================================================================== CALL FOR PAPERS Special Session: AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks Part of the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Measurement in Networking and Communications (MNC) Napoli, Italy - July 13-16, 2026 https://mnc2026.ieee-ims.org/program/special-sessions#session-1-1 EXTENDED SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 21, 2026 ====================================================================================== We invite the submission of original research contributions to the Special Session on AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks, organized within the framework of the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Measurement in Networking and Communications, held in Napoli, Italy, July 13-16, 2026. AI-Native and Data-Driven Management is important and promising for Measurement in Networking since it will enable automatic optimization and network management. Over the years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have become increasingly pervasive in networking and communications, playing a key role in the development, deployment, and management of next-generation networks. Current research trends show how AI can enhance 5G networks at at the RAN, Edge, and Core layers, using measured data coming from multiple entities. While AI adoption in 5G has been an evolving process, 6G is envisioned as truly AI-native. The next generation of mobile networks will embed "connected intelligence" throughout its architecture, leveraging AI for network design, optimization, and autonomous operation. In 6G, AI will not only enhance network performance but also enable and support AI-driven services running seamlessly across the entire network from the user equipment to the network core. Through this AI-native framework, the network will be capable of analyzing real-time data to jointly orchestrate functions such as scheduling, network slicing, and strategic planning. AI technologies in fact, expand new potential in the optimization of the full end-to-end chain of the physical layer, from the transmitter to the receiver, enabling self-optimization by combining advanced sensing and data collection also introducing the capability to consider network metrics, such as current spectrum, power conditions, and number of connections, evolving because of signal reflections off buildings and weather patterns for constant re-optimization. Monitoring of real-time environmental and contextual data is a promising enabler for ML-based air interface optimization, leading to more efficient spectrum use and reduced latency. Not only, nowadays, AI is now further enhanced and made more interpretable through XAI methodologies, which allow us to better understand how the algorithms operate and which features are most relevant for predictions. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: * Measurements for 6G, beyond-5G, and next-generation communications * Trustworthy AI and explainable measurement approaches * AI/ML-driven network measurement and diagnostics * Software-defined and virtualized network measurement * Big Data analytics for network traffic, QoS, and QoE evaluation * Security, privacy, and reliability network measurements in 5G and 6G ***Timeline*** Paper registration: April 21, 2026 Initial manuscript deadline: April 21, 2026 ***Manuscript submission information*** Authors are invited to submit a Full Paper (4-6 pages) reporting original research of a theoretical or applied nature using the online submission system, EDAS. EDAS Submission Link: https://edas.info/N34568 Further information available: https://mnc2026.ieee-ims.org/author-information ***Special Session Chairs*** Prof. Giovanni Stanco University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: giovanni.stanco(a)unina.it<mailto:giovanni.stanco@unina.it> Prof. Stefania Zinno University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: stefania.zinno(a)unina.it<mailto:stefania.zinno@unina.it>

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CfP - IEEE MNC Special Session on AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks
by GIOVANNI STANCO 10 Apr '26

10 Apr '26

====================================================================================== CALL FOR PAPERS Special Session: AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks Part of the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Measurement in Networking and Communications (MNC) Napoli, Italy - July 13-16, 2026 https://mnc2026.ieee-ims.org/program/special-sessions#session-1-1 EXTENDED SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 21, 2026 ====================================================================================== We invite the submission of original research contributions to the Special Session on AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks, organized within the framework of the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Measurement in Networking and Communications, held in Napoli, Italy, July 13-16, 2026. AI-Native and Data-Driven Management is important and promising for Measurement in Networking since it will enable automatic optimization and network management. Over the years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have become increasingly pervasive in networking and communications, playing a key role in the development, deployment, and management of next-generation networks. Current research trends show how AI can enhance 5G networks at at the RAN, Edge, and Core layers, using measured data coming from multiple entities. While AI adoption in 5G has been an evolving process, 6G is envisioned as truly AI-native. The next generation of mobile networks will embed "connected intelligence" throughout its architecture, leveraging AI for network design, optimization, and autonomous operation. In 6G, AI will not only enhance network performance but also enable and support AI-driven services running seamlessly across the entire network from the user equipment to the network core. Through this AI-native framework, the network will be capable of analyzing real-time data to jointly orchestrate functions such as scheduling, network slicing, and strategic planning. AI technologies in fact, expand new potential in the optimization of the full end-to-end chain of the physical layer, from the transmitter to the receiver, enabling self-optimization by combining advanced sensing and data collection also introducing the capability to consider network metrics, such as current spectrum, power conditions, and number of connections, evolving because of signal reflections off buildings and weather patterns for constant re-optimization. Monitoring of real-time environmental and contextual data is a promising enabler for ML-based air interface optimization, leading to more efficient spectrum use and reduced latency. Not only, nowadays, AI is now further enhanced and made more interpretable through XAI methodologies, which allow us to better understand how the algorithms operate and which features are most relevant for predictions. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: * Measurements for 6G, beyond-5G, and next-generation communications * Trustworthy AI and explainable measurement approaches * AI/ML-driven network measurement and diagnostics * Software-defined and virtualized network measurement * Big Data analytics for network traffic, QoS, and QoE evaluation * Security, privacy, and reliability network measurements in 5G and 6G ***Timeline*** Paper registration: April 21, 2026 Initial manuscript deadline: April 21, 2026 ***Manuscript submission information*** Authors are invited to submit a Full Paper (4-6 pages) reporting original research of a theoretical or applied nature using the online submission system, EDAS. EDAS Submission Link: https://edas.info/N34568 Further information available: https://mnc2026.ieee-ims.org/author-information ***Special Session Chairs*** Prof. Giovanni Stanco University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: giovanni.stanco(a)unina.it<mailto:giovanni.stanco@unina.it> Prof. Stefania Zinno University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: stefania.zinno(a)unina.it<mailto:stefania.zinno@unina.it>

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ACM CoNEXT 2026 Call for Workshop Proposals
by GIOVANNI STANCO 09 Apr '26

09 Apr '26

+---------------------------------------------------------------+ Call for Workshop Proposals ACM CoNEXT 2026 Utrecht, The Netherlands - December 7-10, 2026 Workshop Proposal Submission Deadline: May 19, 2026 https://conferences.sigcomm.org/co-next/2026/#!/cfw +---------------------------------------------------------------+ ACM CoNEXT 2026, to be held in-person in Utrecht, The Netherlands, is soliciting proposals for half-day and full-day workshops to be co-located with the main conference. We invite you to submit workshop proposals on any topic related to the broad set of research and application areas covered by the ACM CoNEXT conference. We welcome workshops on topics in network research, practice, and education. Topics that represent new research areas and directions are particularly welcome. If the workshop is accepted, the proposers agree to recruit a Program Committee for selecting papers, recruit invited speakers if applicable, and advertise the workshop in order to attract papers and attendees. The workshop chairs reserve the right to cancel workshops that do not receive a sufficient number of submissions from their open call. Furthermore, it is expected that the majority of accepted papers will originate from authors who are not members of the workshop's Technical Program Committee (TPC) and will be submitted in response to the open call. While invited papers may be included in the final program, they should constitute a minority of the accepted submissions. As an integral part of the conference, the workshops will be fully incorporated into CoNEXT's logistical and budget planning process. Workshop papers - unless opted-out - will be published in the same set of proceedings as the conference's short papers, and will be available on the ACM Digital Library. Workshop papers will not appear as part of the new journal-based proceedings (PACMNET). Detailed guidelines on how to prepare your workshop proposal submission can be found at: https://conferences.sigcomm.org/co-next/2026/#!/cfw Where to Submit a Workshop Proposal Please submit your workshop proposal in a single PDF file by sending it to the Workshop Chairs over email at workshopchairs_conext2026(a)auckland.ac.nz<mailto:workshopchairs_conext2026@auckland.ac.nz>. with the subject “CoNEXT 2026 Workshop Proposal: xxxx” (where xxxx is the acronym of your proposed workshop) by May 19, 2026. Please follow the deadlines below. Important dates (in reverse chronological order) * Workshop paper submission: July 14th, 2026 * Workshop paper abstract registration: July 7th, 2026 * Announcement of CFPs: Before June 15th, 2026 * Announcement of selected workshops: June 8th, 2026 * Submission of workshop proposals: May 19th, 2026 Note that the time between the notification of acceptance of the workshop and the announcement of the CFP is limited. Thus, we reiterate that you should contact your workshop's potential TPC members and secure the participation of most of them before submitting your proposal. Preliminary Information for Workshop Planning All deadlines will be common across workshops. * Paper submissions deadline: July 14th, 2026 * Paper acceptance notification: Before end of August, 2026 * Camera ready due: Before end of September, 2026 * Program available online: Before mid-October, 2026 * List of organisation details: Before mid-October, 2026 In order for the workshops to be synchronised with preparations for the main conference and with travel grants, the dates above must be strictly followed by all workshops. Please contact the CoNEXT 2026 Workshop co-chairs Chris Visser and Ulrich Speidel (workshopchairs_conext2026(a)auckland.ac.nz<mailto:workshopchairs_conext2026@auckland.ac.nz>) with any questions.

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CfP - IEEE MNC Special Session on AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks
by GIOVANNI STANCO 30 Mar '26

30 Mar '26

================================================================================ CALL FOR PAPERS Special Session: AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks Part of the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Measurement in Networking and Communications Napoli, Italy - July 13-16, 2026 https://mnc2026.ieee-ims.org/program/special-sessions#session-1-1 ================================================================================ We invite the submission of original research contributions to the Special Session on AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks, organized within the framework of the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Measurement in Networking and Communications, held in Napoli, Italy, July 13-16, 2026. AI-Native and Data-Driven Management is important and promising for Measurement in Networking since it will enable automatic optimization and network management. Over the years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have become increasingly pervasive in networking and communications, playing a key role in the development, deployment, and management of next-generation networks. Current research trends show how AI can enhance 5G networks at at the RAN, Edge, and Core layers, using measured data coming from multiple entities. While AI adoption in 5G has been an evolving process, 6G is envisioned as truly AI-native. The next generation of mobile networks will embed "connected intelligence" throughout its architecture, leveraging AI for network design, optimization, and autonomous operation. In 6G, AI will not only enhance network performance but also enable and support AI-driven services running seamlessly across the entire network from the user equipment to the network core. Through this AI-native framework, the network will be capable of analyzing real-time data to jointly orchestrate functions such as scheduling, network slicing, and strategic planning. AI technologies in fact, expand new potential in the optimization of the full end-to-end chain of the physical layer, from the transmitter to the receiver, enabling self-optimization by combining advanced sensing and data collection also introducing the capability to consider network metrics, such as current spectrum, power conditions, and number of connections, evolving because of signal reflections off buildings and weather patterns for constant re-optimization. Monitoring of real-time environmental and contextual data is a promising enabler for ML-based air interface optimization, leading to more efficient spectrum use and reduced latency. Not only, nowadays, AI is now further enhanced and made more interpretable through XAI methodologies, which allow us to better understand how the algorithms operate and which features are most relevant for predictions. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: * Measurements for 6G, beyond-5G, and next-generation communications * Trustworthy AI and explainable measurement approaches * AI/ML-driven network measurement and diagnostics * Software-defined and virtualized network measurement * Big Data analytics for network traffic, QoS, and QoE evaluation * Security, privacy, and reliability network measurements in 5G and 6G ***Timeline*** Paper registration: April 6, 2026 Initial manuscript deadline: April 6, 2026 ***Manuscript submission information*** Authors are invited to submit a Full Paper (4-6 pages) reporting original research of a theoretical or applied nature using the online submission system, EDAS. EDAS Submission Link: https://edas.info/N34568 Further information available: https://mnc2026.ieee-ims.org/author-information ***Special Session Chairs*** Prof. Giovanni Stanco University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: giovanni.stanco(a)unina.it<mailto:giovanni.stanco@unina.it> Prof. Stefania Zinno University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: stefania.zinno(a)unina.it<mailto:stefania.zinno@unina.it>

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ACM EdgeSys in Cambridge
by Aaron Ding 19 Mar '26

19 Mar '26

For RACI fellows, ----------------------------------------------- The 9th International Workshop on Edge Systems, Analytics and Networking (EdgeSys 2026), in conjunction with ACM MobiSys 2026<https://www.sigmobile.org/mobisys/2026/>, 25 June, 2026 Cambridge, United Kingdom https://edge-sys.github.io/2026/ ----------------------------------------------- The 9th International Workshop on Edge Systems, Analytics and Networking (EdgeSys 2026), in conjunction with ACM MobiSys 2026<https://www.sigmobile.org/mobisys/2026/>, aims to bring together system researchers, data scientists, engineers and practitioners to identify open directions and discuss the latest research ideas and results on edge systems, analytics and networking, especially those related to novel and emerging technologies and use cases. The EdgeSys'26 workshop focuses on systems, analytics and networking aspects, covering system architecture, distributed ML algorithms, decentralized networking, distributed consensus and ledger techniques, edge services and data analysis. Over the past eight years, EdgeSys has been gathering substantial community contributions in edge computing domain - especially with high quality TPC, keynotes, panel and technical papers from US, Europe, and Asia, including Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft Research, Intel, IBM, Nokia, Samsung, Toyota, Telefónica, MIT, Berkeley, Columbia, Yale, UCLA, Cambridge, Imperial, EPFL, TU Delft, MPI, TUM, Tsinghua, Peking and Fudan. EdgeSys Programme Committee: https://edge-sys.github.io/2026/committee.html The topics include but are not limited to the following: * System Architecture for Edge Computing * Serverless, In-network Computing * Edge Storage Systems * Distributed ML for Edge Analytics and Services * Edge-driven Data Analytics * Federated Learning at the Edge * Lightweight Virtualization for Edge Computing * Distributed Consensus Algorithms and Ledgers * Infrastructure and Toolkits for Edge AI * Trustworthy Edge AI * Sustainable Edge Computing * Energy-driven Edge Computing * IoT Networking and Communications * Sensor Networks and Processing * (Autonomous) Management for Edge Systems * System Performance and Measurement * Security and Trust Management * Reliability and Fault Tolerance * Privacy-Preserving Analytics * Data Provenance for Distributed Processing * Heterogeneous & Scalable Orchestration * Edge Architectures for 5G and Beyond Submission Guidelines Authors are encouraged to submit papers describing original and unpublished research, not currently under review in other venues. In particular, innovative, early-stage ideas and preliminary results are welcome. Papers must be submitted electronically as PDF files, formatted for 8.5x11-inch paper. The length of the paper must be no more than 6 pages in the ACM double-column format (10-pt font), excluding references and appendices. Authors are suggested to use the ACM Master article template with the \documentclass[sigconf,10pt]{acmart} option. The reviews will be single blind. The first page must contain an abstract, the name(s) and affiliation(s) of the author(s), as well as the corresponding contact information. Each submission will receive independent, blind peer reviews from the program committee. Accepted papers will be published in the ACM Digital Library. At least one of the authors of every accepted paper must register and present the paper at the workshop. The program committee will elect one paper for the Best Paper Award. Important Dates * Submission deadline: 22 March 2026 (AoE, firm) * Acceptance notification: 24 April 2026 * Camera ready: 30 April 2026 * Workshop date: 25 June 2026 Programme General Chairs Atakan Aral (University of Vienna, Austria) Poonam Yadav (University of York, UK) Vadim Safronov (University of Oxford, UK) Aaron Ding (TU Delft, Netherlands) Submission Site: https://edgesys26.hotcrp.com/

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CfP - IEEE MNC Special Session on AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks
by GIOVANNI STANCO 10 Mar '26

10 Mar '26

================================================================================ CALL FOR PAPERS Special Session: AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks Part of the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Measurement in Networking and Communications Napoli, Italy - July 13-16, 2026 https://mnc2026.ieee-ims.org/program/special-sessions#session-1-1 ================================================================================ We invite the submission of original research contributions to the Special Session on AI-Native and Data-Driven Management for Next-Generation Networks, organized within the framework of the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Measurement in Networking and Communications, held in Napoli, Italy, July 13-16, 2026. AI-Native and Data-Driven Management is important and promising for Measurement in Networking since it will enable automatic optimization and network management. Over the years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have become increasingly pervasive in networking and communications, playing a key role in the development, deployment, and management of next-generation networks. Current research trends show how AI can enhance 5G networks at at the RAN, Edge, and Core layers, using measured data coming from multiple entities. While AI adoption in 5G has been an evolving process, 6G is envisioned as truly AI-native. The next generation of mobile networks will embed "connected intelligence" throughout its architecture, leveraging AI for network design, optimization, and autonomous operation. In 6G, AI will not only enhance network performance but also enable and support AI-driven services running seamlessly across the entire network from the user equipment to the network core. Through this AI-native framework, the network will be capable of analyzing real-time data to jointly orchestrate functions such as scheduling, network slicing, and strategic planning. AI technologies in fact, expand new potential in the optimization of the full end-to-end chain of the physical layer, from the transmitter to the receiver, enabling self-optimization by combining advanced sensing and data collection also introducing the capability to consider network metrics, such as current spectrum, power conditions, and number of connections, evolving because of signal reflections off buildings and weather patterns for constant re-optimization. Monitoring of real-time environmental and contextual data is a promising enabler for ML-based air interface optimization, leading to more efficient spectrum use and reduced latency. Not only, nowadays, AI is now further enhanced and made more interpretable through XAI methodologies, which allow us to better understand how the algorithms operate and which features are most relevant for predictions. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: * Measurements for 6G, beyond-5G, and next-generation communications * Trustworthy AI and explainable measurement approaches * AI/ML-driven network measurement and diagnostics * Software-defined and virtualized network measurement * Big Data analytics for network traffic, QoS, and QoE evaluation * Security, privacy, and reliability network measurements in 5G and 6G ***Timeline*** Paper registration: April 6, 2026 Initial manuscript deadline: April 6, 2026 ***Manuscript submission information*** Authors are invited to submit a Full Paper (4-6 pages) reporting original research of a theoretical or applied nature using the online submission system, EDAS. EDAS Submission Link: https://edas.info/N34568 Further information available: https://mnc2026.ieee-ims.org/author-information ***Special Session Chairs*** Prof. Giovanni Stanco University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: giovanni.stanco(a)unina.it<mailto:giovanni.stanco@unina.it> Prof. Stefania Zinno University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: stefania.zinno(a)unina.it<mailto:stefania.zinno@unina.it>

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OARC 46 Call for Contribution (Adjacent to - RIPE 92)
by Sommese, Raffaele (UT-EEMCS) 23 Feb '26

23 Feb '26

This workshop will be a hybrid event. Date - 16-17 May 2026 Location - Edinburgh, Scotland Times - approximately 09:00-16:00 UTC (Local time BST is UTC +1 ) Adjacent to - RIPE 92 (18 - 22 May 2026, https://ripe92.ripe.net/) Deadline for Submissions - 2026-03-06 23:59 UTC https://indico.dns-oarc.net/event/56/abstracts/ All DNS-related subjects and discussion topics are welcome although we're particularly keen to hear more about operational and security related experiences, best practices and practical advice; both for newcomers to the DNS arena and those who have been around for longer who want to learn more about new features and opportunities to improve resilience, security and privacy. (These topics we think will complement the usual high-quality data-based research submissions we always hope to receive!) If you have something interesting to share with the community that lies outside of the focus above, please don't be put off - if it's good, we'll be happy to include it. If you'd like to offer a talk, but are not quite sure what to pick, here's a non-exhaustive list of ideas: 1. Operations & Deployment Configuration management, deployment processes, and interoperability experiences. Tools, tips, and making effective use of DNS software features. 2. Performance, Resilience & Scaling Provisioning, load-balancing, and planning for resilience. DNS performance management, efficiency improvements, and metrics. Monitoring infrastructure: log pipelines, analytics, and anomaly detection. 3. Security, Privacy & Policy DoS attacks, DNS abuse, DNSSEC signing and validation. Privacy considerations, for example: encrypted transport, qname minimization, data anonymization. Relevant global and regional policies, legislation, and compliance. 4. Research & Innovation Data-driven testing, measurement, and analysis. New protocols, protocol extensions, and next-generation namespace management. 5. Lessons & Learnings Outage experiences, recovery stories, and cautionary tales For further details please see https://www.dns-oarc.net/oarc46 Raffaele Sommese, for the DNS-OARC Programme Committee

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Final reminder: RIPE 92 RACI Call for applications closes on Monday, Feb 23
by Jelena Cosic 19 Feb '26

19 Feb '26

Dear colleagues, Just a quick reminder that the RACI call for applications to attend the RIPE 92 Meeting in Edinburgh is closing soon. If you're a researcher or academic working in networking, security, Internet measurements, or related areas, this is a great opportunity to present your work to a leading technical community. Selected applicants will receive full support for travel and accommodation. *Application deadline: 23 February 2026* To apply, simply submit a short abstract and draft slides via: https://www.ripe.net/raci Feel free to pass this on to colleagues, students, or collaborators who might be interested. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Kind regards, Jelena

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Help Us Improve the IPv6 Hitlist Service – Quick Survey (5 min)
by Oliver Gasser 18 Feb '26

18 Feb '26

Hey everyone! 👋 We're looking to improve the IPv6 Hitlist Service [1] and would love your input. If you're doing any sorts of IPv6 measurements, please consider taking our short survey — it only takes about 5 minutes and will directly shape how we develop the service going forward. 👉 https://forms.gle/SJ42dfswTEtqfjvR8 👈 Thanks in advance for your help! 🙏 Cheers, Oliver [1] https://ipv6hitlist.github.io/

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CfP - Elsevier COMCOM - Special Issue on Intelligence and Service Orchestration in Next-Generation Mobile Networks
by GIOVANNI STANCO 10 Feb '26

10 Feb '26

================================================================================ DEADLINE APPROACHING – Final Manuscript Submission Deadline 28/02/2026 CALL FOR PAPERS Elsevier Computer Communications Special Issue “Intelligence and Service Orchestration in Next-Generation Mobile Networks” https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/327227/intelligence-and-service… ================================================================================ Mobile communication and computing infrastructures are undergoing a profound transformation, moving toward highly dynamic, service-centric ecosystems. Fundamental to this evolution is a novel paradigm for the infrastructure and service management for 5G-and-beyond networks. Indeed, the architectural paradigm of 5G is shifting toward Open Radio Access Network (RAN), which introduces RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs) for network overseeing and reconfiguring through Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications able to enhance the overall performance. The shift from monolithic components to virtualized functions through Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and the adoption of Software Defined Networking (SDN) allow the deployment of innovative solutions that demand flexible orchestration methods. In this context, Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) and Network and Service Orchestration (NSO) play a crucial role by enabling real-time automation and optimization across highly dynamic and heterogeneous network environments, whilst integrating radio, transport, and core domains under a single control plane. These solutions are apt to tackle key challenges including service provisioning, resource allocation, power consumption, and quality of service. Central to this scenario is the role of AI, which enables closed-loop network automation and control, predictive management, automated fault detection, and intent-based service delivery. As such, network intelligence is essential for resilient, scalable, and adaptive orchestration techniques capable of meeting the stringent latency, reliability, and performance requirements of future mobile networks. This Special Issue aims to collect innovations proposed by the research community in the field of Intelligence and Service Orchestration in next-gen mobile networks. These topics and challenges have recently been investigated by researchers, telco stakeholders, government agencies, and international organizations (e.g. NextGenerationEU, CAMARA). Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: * Management and orchestration architectures and techniques for next-gen networks * Automation, coordination, management and optimization of network resources and services * Placement and resource allocation for VNFs * Resource monitoring and service analytics * Orchestration solutions for control plane, core, and RAN * Orchestration in Transport and Multi-Domain Networks * Enabling technologies for network orchestration * AI-based network orchestration * Closed-loop automation engines in NSO * Zero-Touch and intent-driven Open RAN orchestration, optimization, control, and management * QoS in network orchestration * NSO for sustainability * Resilience, scalability, and adaptability of next-gen networks * Industry-supported efforts for network optimization * Integrated Sensing and Communications * Privacy in orchestration frameworks * Energy-aware and Sustainable Network Management * Testbeds, emulators and benchmarking for orchestration solutions ***Manuscript submission information*** The journal's submission platform (Editorial Manager®) will be open for submissions to this Special Issue from October 26, 2025. Please refer to the Guide for Authors to prepare your manuscript and select the article type of “VSI: Intelligent Orchestration in Next-Generation Networks” when submitting your manuscript online. Both the Guide for Authors and the submission portal could be found on the Journal Homepage: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/computer-communications The impact of SI contributions should be clearly demonstrated in the context of the theme of the special issue. Papers that do not directly address this theme are considered out of scope and are subject to immediate rejection. ***Timeline*** Submission Open Date 26/10/2025 Final Manuscript Submission Deadline 28/02/2026 Editorial Acceptance Deadline 15/09/2026 ***Guest editors*** Prof. Abderrahim Benslimane University of Avignon, France Email: abderrahim.benslimane(a)univ-avignon.fr<mailto:abderrahim.benslimane@univ-avignon.fr> Prof. Cristiano Bonato Both University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Email: cbboth(a)unisinos.br<mailto:cbboth@unisinos.br> Prof. Giang T. Nguyen Dresden University of Technology, Germany Email: giang.nguyen(a)tu-dresden.de<mailto:giang.nguyen@tu-dresden.de> Prof. Giovanni Stanco University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: giovanni.stanco(a)unina.it<mailto:giovanni.stanco@unina.it> Prof. Stefania Zinno University of Naples Federico II, Italy Email: stefania.zinno(a)unina.it<mailto:stefania.zinno@unina.it>

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