Scope

Network slicing has been a key capability brought forward by the novel 5G mobile architecture. Supported by the integration of novel mechanisms and tools, such as Software Defined Networking, Network Function Virtualization and RAN enhancements, this capability has triggered a broad spectrum of technological and technical work. This work was able to produce not only important findings for better service provisioning in mobile environments, but also manifested an unprecedented degree of interest from vertical players who see this as a definitive game-changer for evolving their operations to new levels. However, the full-fledged integration of such industries placed new stringent requirements over the network service provisioning, which generated new challenges (not only over the wellknown concept of the mobile network itself, but also on its reliance on the new tools, such as virtualization and softwarization). This has become evident in first assessments and validations from deployments in real and experimental scenarios, fuelled by international research initiatives involving telcos, system providers, vendors and many other participants of the value chain. With Release 17 underway and the planning for Release 18 starting, concepts such as 5G-Advanced, Beyond-5G and 6G have started to target key novel concepts for further evolution. Where does mobile-enabled slicing stand? Is it supported in the projected roadmap? Are the different vertical sectors, along with their disparate evolution cycles, enabled to take advantage of this capability? Or is mobile-enabled slicing a topic that paved the way in 5G for further research into the upcoming new generations? Over its previous iterations, MOBISLICE has dedicated itself to bringing together the different visions of academia, industry and standardization on solutions that integrate different building blocks from different players into innovative and ground-breaking new scenarios, aiming towards an holistic approach for the enablement, assessment and deployment of Network Slicing perspectives in X-mobility environments (where X can mean devices, resources, services or even slices themselves). In this edition, MOBISLICE IV will look into the future, starting from the lessons learnt by the different players implementing these solutions in the latest commercial equipment, and address the research space on mobile network slicing for the future. What have been the key contributions with the current generation and what is able to be deployed? What are the shortcomings evidenced and which enhancements should the underlying fabric of the network/computing continuum have to optimally support mobile network slicing?.

Program

The workshop will be held on the 9th November, 2021, in conjunction with the VII IEEE Conference on Network Function Virtualization and Software Defined Networks

Special Issue on Wiley's "Internet Technology Letters"

Improved versions of selected contributions will be invited for possible inclusion in a Special Section of Wiley’s "Internet Technology Letters".

Best Paper Award

Our top quality TPC will sellect a BEST PAPER and present the respective Award Certificate at a ceremony during the workshop session.