IEEE Communications Magazine provides timely information on all aspects of (electrical/electronic) communications. The magazine covers services (telecommunications, multimedia, Internet and digital), network (including its softwarization, as well as underlying infrastructure) and device technology, support systems, transversal topics like artificial intelligence applied to telecommunications, market trends, strategy and regulatory issues. Articles are tutorial in nature and written in a style comprehensible to readers outside the specialty of the article. These articles are complemented with non-indexed columns.

Special Issue on Net-Zero 6G Networks: Enabling Technologies and Pathways to Sustainable Operation
Submission Date: 2025-10-01

The emergence of sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks promises to redefine connectivity with unprecedented performance targets, including ultra-low latency, massive device connectivity, and data rates exceeding 1 Tbps. These transformative capabilities will support intelligent, immersive, and human-centric applications, ranging from holographic communication to large-scale autonomous systems. However, the path to 6G brings with it serious sustainability challenges, particularly in light of the growing global commitment to carbon neutrality. The ICT sector already contributes a significant share of global CO₂ emissions, and without proactive design, 6G systems risk dramatically increasing this footprint. To align with global climate goals, it is imperative to rethink the foundations of wireless system design, embedding sustainability, energy efficiency, and energy autonomy into every layer of the network. The concept of net-zero wireless networks envisions systems in which the total energy consumed is matched or exceeded by energy harvested or supplied through renewable sources combined with advanced energy-aware control strategies. This Special Issue (SI) invites original research that advances the vision of net-zero 6G networks through novel approaches in sustainable hardware, low-power communication techniques, ambient energy harvesting, AI-driven energy management, and green protocol design. We welcome contributions that address both theoretical foundations and practical implementations aimed at reducing energy demand and enabling energy-autonomous operation.

The topics of interest for the SI include, but are not limited to:

    New metrics and theory for net-zero networks.
    Fundamental information theoretical limits for net-zero communications.
    Joint energy and information co-design frameworks.
    Energy-neutral access points and edge nodes.
    Low-power wake-up radios (LP-WUS) and energy-saving techniques.
    Renewable energy integration in distributed components (e.g., solar-powered antennas, and small cells).
    Intelligent reconfigurable environments for net-zero communication.
    UAV-based energy-autonomous access networks.
    Net-zero RAN: Open RAN, RAN automation, and optimization for net-zero operation.
    Cross-layer design for net-zero network.
    Network architecture and transmission protocol design tailored for net-zero distributed network.
    Communication Protocols and Network Design for net-zero networks.
    Predictive optimization for energy efficiency in distributed net-zero networks.
    Machine learning and AI-driven energy management for distributed net-zero 6G networks.
    Prototyping of low-power and energy-autonomous RAN components.

Submission Guidelines

Manuscripts should conform to the standard format as indicated in the Information for Authors section of the Manuscript Submission Guidelines. Please, check these guidelines carefully before submitting since submissions not complying with them will be administratively rejected without review.

All manuscripts to be considered for publication must be submitted by the deadline through Author Portal. Select SI “Net-Zero 6G Networks: Enabling Technologies and Pathways to Sustainable Operation” topic from the drop-down menu of Topic/Series titles. Please observe the dates specified here below noting that there will be no extension of submission deadline.

Important Dates

Manuscript Submission Deadline: 1 October 2025
Initial Decision: 1 January 2026
Revised Manuscript Due: 1 February 2026
Final Decision: 1 March 2026
Final Manuscript Due: 10 March 2026
Publication Date: May 2026

Special Issue on Communication Services and Solutions in Smart Transportation and Mobility Infrastructures
Submission Date: 2025-10-31

Smart transportation is built to enhance the efficiency and safety of a wide range of essential services, such as resource management, traffic, and congestion control. Central to the reliable operation of these subsystems across a smart transportation infrastructure is the successful acquisition and transmission of data in various forms for a variety of purposes. To this end, communication solutions and networks play a vital role in supporting the underlying backbone of any smart transportation infrastructure. 

In the context of telecommunications, supporting smart transportation and mobility services entails much more than a collection of traditional communication networks. There are, for example, interoperability and reliability issues that must be addressed when rolling out new communication systems in conjunction with existing networks that have been supporting legacy services for decades, like the POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) system as a classic example. 

Various aspects of smart technologies, machine learning (ML), and cybersecurity are vital in enhancing communication services and solutions within smart transportation and mobility infrastructures. These enable real-time data collection and integration from sensors, vehicles, and traffic management systems to enhance safety and efficiency. ML algorithms analyze data collected from different sources, predicting traffic patterns, optimizing routes, and improving safety by identifying anomalies or hazards. Further, cybersecurity ensures the protection of interconnected systems from potential threats and cyberattacks, safeguarding sensitive data, such as passenger information and infrastructure operations. All in all, the successful deployment of a smart transportation infrastructure relies on a wide range of telecommunication services and solutions working reliably together. Since the overall smart transportation infrastructure also integrates mobility services and solutions, such as smart roads, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as well as maritime transport, integrating cellular and satellite systems would enable efficient, reliable, and safe operation of these connected vehicles while integrating with urban infrastructure.

This Special Issue (SI) aims to support smart transportation in a smart city by having both wireline and wireless communication systems working together, these include 5G/6G for real-time data exchange, low-latency communication, and wide coverage for vehicles and infrastructures. Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) for Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication to enhance safety and traffic management. Short-range connectivity for vehicles and devices at stations like parking areas.  Wireline systems, such as optical communications support high-speed data transmission in backhaul for smart city infrastructures and connecting various transportation nodes (e.g., smart traffic lights and fleet monitoring stations). Powerline communication (PLC) systems over existing electrical infrastructure are important in integrating smart devices in railway systems without significant new wiring. The evolution of communication concepts, technologies, and standards is set to significantly impact smart transportation and mobility services and solutions in enhancing vehicular and infrastructural connectivity, safety, and efficiency through supporting predictive maintenance and dynamic routing.

To cover these important aspects of forming the core part of a smart transportation and mobility infrastructure, this SI solicits papers that include, but are not limited to:

    Wireless sensing networks (WSNs) in smart mobility and autonomous vehicles.
    Telecommunication services and solutions as part of a smart transportation/mobility infrastructure.
    Smart transportation applications and case studies in communications.
    Network optimization and reliability assurance for smart transportation /mobility services.
    Power line communication (PLC) in a smart transportation environment, e.g. unmanned monorail.
    Communication services and applications in smart transportation and mobility, e.g. infotainment, congestion easing, emission reduction.
    Ground-based augmentation systems for UAVs and maritime vessels operating in coastal areas or dense environments.
    Standards and protocols for vehicular communications.
    Cross-Platform communications to support multimodal transportation systems (road, rail, air, and maritime) for efficient and reliable communication.
    Implications and impacts on applications in autonomous driving and transportation management.
    Security and privacy in smart transportation communication systems and infrastructures.

Submission Guidelines

Manuscripts should conform to the standard format as indicated in the Information for Authors section of the Manuscript Submission Guidelines. Please, check these guidelines carefully before submitting since submissions not complying with them will be administratively rejected without review.

All manuscripts to be considered for publication must be submitted by the deadline through Author Portal.  Select the “SI-2403 / Communication Services and Solutions in Smart Transportation and Mobility Infrastructures” topic from the drop-down menu of Topic/Series titles. Please observe the dates specified here below noting that there will be no extension of submission deadline.

Important Dates

Manuscript Submission Deadline: 31 October 2025
Decision Notification: 31 December 2025
Final Manuscript Due: 28 February 2026
Publication Date: Second Quarter 2026

Special Issue on Advancing Societal and Sustainability Goals in 6G
Submission Date: 2025-11-01

While 5G is being deployed around the world, work has already begun on defining vision and requirements for 6G. 6G is expected to be more transformative than 5G and influence societies and economies across the globe. While previous generations of cellular communications technologies have primarily focused on consumers and enterprises, 6G aims to achieve broader goals of making significant progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recently defined 6G capabilities and usage scenarios. The ITU-defined 6G usage scenarios include immersive communication, AI and communication, Hyper Reliable and Low Latency Communication, Ubiquitous Connectivity, Massive Communication, and Integrated Sensing and Communication. Furthermore, all these usage scenarios have common overarching aspects of sustainability, connecting the unconnected, security and resilience, and ubiquitous intelligence. This Special Issue (SI) focuses on sustainability aspects of 6G. Sustainability pertains to 6G communication systems themselves as well as the influence of 6G on helping other industries become sustainable.

We seek original completed and unpublished work not currently under review by any other journal/magazine/conference. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

    Goals and associated quantitative or qualitative requirements for societal benefits and sustainability.
    Target applications/services that help accelerate achieving societal and sustainability goals.
    Key system architecture considerations suitable for benefits to society and sustainability.
    Energy harvesting considerations and technologies to facilitate sustainability.
    Impact of energy harvesting on the device ecosystem (e.g., smartphones, IoT devices, and AR/VR/XR devices).
    How energy harvesting can influence designs of the 6G network.
    How continuous energy supply can be achieved while maximizing the potential of energy harvesting for 6G communication systems.
    Radio interface features that can play a critical role in achieving sustainability.
    Radio network attributes to help realize societal benefits.
    How 6G can act as an enabler of sustainability for various industries or verticals.
    Device enhancements that can contribute to sustainability.
    Device attributes and capabilities that can help achieve societal goals.
    Performance metrics that can be used to quantify societal benefits.
    Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for quantifying sustainability within a 6G system encompassing device, radio network, core network, services network, transport networks, and cloud networks.
    Performance metrics that can be used to quantify the influence of 6G on various verticals or industries.

Submission Guidelines

Manuscripts should conform to the standard format as indicated in the Information for Authors section of the Manuscript Submission Guidelines. Please, check these guidelines carefully before submitting since submissions not complying with them will be administratively rejected without review.

All manuscripts to be considered for publication must be submitted by the deadline through IEEE Submission Portal. Select the “Advancing Societal and Sustainability Goals in 6G” topic from the drop-down menu of Topic/Series titles. Please observe the dates specified here below noting that there will be no extension of submission deadline.

Important Dates

Manuscript Submission Deadline: 1 November 2025
Initial Decision: 1 February 2026
Revised Manuscript Due: 1 March 2026
Final Decision: 1 April 2026
Final Manuscript Due: 15 April 2026
Publication Date: June 2026