This paper focuses on the design of a Service-Based Management Architecture (SBMA) that enables intelligent, crossdomain, and sustainable orchestration. SBMA adopts a servicebased paradigm to abstract domain heterogeneity, integrates distributed AI-driven control, and provides a foundation for achieving unified management. The proposed architecture is illustrated by mapping specific domains (such as the radio access (RAN), transport, and core networks) to the architecture, demonstrating how domain-specific orchestration aligns with SBMA principles and interfaces. A representative experiment validates the architecture's capabilities, and the results show rapid recovery times for redeploying RAN, core, and transport components, highlighting the resilience and agility of the proposed approach.

As mobile networks evolve toward future disaggregated architectures and 6G systems, quantum computing poses an existential threat to the current cryptographic foundations underpinning Service-Based Architecture (SBA) deployments. This paper presents a standards-driven analysis of integrating Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) into future mobile core networks, directly informing ongoing NIST, IETF, and 3GPP standardization efforts. We examine current security specifications and identify critical vulnerabilities in SBA interfaces that are susceptible to “harvest-now, decrypt-later” attacks. Our framework maps PQC algorithm recommendations to existing standards clauses, proposing concrete specification updates for future release adoption. We assess the impact of standardization by validating the performance of NIST-standardized post-quantum algorithms across representative SBA interfaces, demonstrating that quantum-safe migrations can meet operational requirements for future mobile cores. Experimental results indicate that selected post-quantum configurations deliver acceptable performance for control-plane functions, supporting edge-cloud continuum deployments. We present a standards migration roadmap that addresses PKI lifecycle management, inter-operator security protocols, and coordination requirements between standards bodies.

The Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture introduces the Near-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Near-RT RIC) to enable AI-driven closed-loop control through deployable xApps. Current open-source implementations of the Near-RT RIC and xApp management are difficult to deploy and handle due to a complex Kubernetes-based installation process, configuration workflows, and the need for low-level knowledge to understand xApp operation. This demonstration addresses these challenges by proposing a purpose-built blueprint for cloud-native, automated, and portable deployment of the O-RAN Software Community (OSC) Near-RT RIC. Additionally, we introduce a remote xApp management application programming interface (API) to the support dynamic lifecycle management of xApps without requiring access to the underlying cluster. Together, these capabilities reduce deployment overhead, improve resource efficiency, and simplify experimentation with Near-RT closed-loop RAN control.

Mission-critical operations such as maritime Search and Rescue and large-scale disaster response demand communication systems capable of maintaining secure, resilient, and continuous connectivity, even in environments where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable or impaired. The $\mathbf{5 G}$-HUB project addresses these needs by developing a pre-standard hybrid Terrestrial/Non-Terrestrial (TN/NTN) architecture integrated with the EU GOVSATCOM-HUB (G-HUB) federator of satellite resources, enabling dynamic SATCOM resource negotiation, service prioritization, and seamless mobility across heterogeneous network domains. The contribution of this work lies in introducing a Smart Gateway as a novel building block for vertical handovers across non-interoperable cores. Through a structured methodology that combines internal user elicitation with focused engagement of external actors, the project identifies mission-critical use cases and derives their associated service requirements. Operational partners (i.e., Open Arms and the Italian Red Cross) provide real-world scenarios that highlight the need for high-uplink throughput, stringent latency constraints, dynamic prioritization, secure communication flows, and transparent TN/NTN session continuity. The resulting requirement underpins the architectural considerations and integration framework presented in this work, demonstrating the relevance of federated TN/NTN solutions in supporting governmental, humanitarian, and public-safety missions.

UNITY-6G introduces a AI-natively framework that unifies terrestrial (TN), non-terrestrial (NTN), and non-public networks (NPN), treating connectivity, computing, and intelligence as interdependent resources. The architecture utilizes an Inter-Domain Management Orchestrator (IDMO) based on Service-Based Management Architecture (SBMA) principles to coordinate services across heterogeneous domains. A core pillar of the framework is its AI-native design through autonomous agentic AI workflows following a standardized MS-AE-DE-ACT (Monitoring, Analytics, Decision, and Actuation) logical patterns. To enhance resource efficiency and sustainability, the architecture integrates Digital Twins (DT) for proactive system modeling and semantic communications to prioritize task-relevant information transfer. Security is addressed through a Trust Architecture leveraging Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for cross-domain auditability. The framework's utility is validated through proof-of-concepts targeting sustainable disaster handling, immersive XR/holographic communications, and time-sensitive services for Industry 4.0. The presented advances establish a foundation for the continuous development of high-performance, autonomous 6G systems.

Next generation mobile networks will include NonTerrestrial networks (NTNs) to complement terrestrial networks (TN) and provide ubiquitous coverage. Achieving a unified operational framework is essential to simplify integration and reduce deployment complexity. This demo presents a unified Central Unit (CU) capable of simultaneously managing Distributed Units (DU) for the TN segment and the NTN segment. The system employs full softwarisation of both domains using cloud-native artefacts, enabling flexible deployment on commercial of the shelf hardware and seamless TN–NTN integration without hardware-specific adaptations. The demonstration highlights how the unified CU manages heterogeneous radio access technologies (RATs), and can expose real-time Key Performance Metrics (KPMs) through ORAN interfaces towards the Near-Real Time Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC) to provide cross-domain observability. Through live visualization of throughput performance, latency profiles, and resource usage, attendees will observe the operational differences between terrestrial and GEO NTN links under a common control framework. This demo validates a practical and portable architecture for TN–NTN convergence and establishes a foundation for future RIC-driven optimisation and multi-domain intelligence in Beyond 5G/6G networks.

Future 6G systems must operate as intelligent, sustainable, and self-optimizing infrastructures that integrate heterogeneous communication and power domains. We present an energy-aware, multi-domain orchestration architecture for 6G networks, built on a hierarchical control model comprising an Inter-Domain Management and Orchestration (IDMO) layer, domain-level Management and Orchestration (DMO) entities, and Infrastructure Domain Managers (IDMs), interconnected through a Service-Based Management Architecture. Furthermore, the architecture incorporates Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and an inter-domain Energy Management System (EMS) that jointly interface (physically and logically) with the network infrastructure while respecting the operational autonomy of local grids. In this model, the VPP exposes unified, virtualized interfaces for energy providers and domain-embedded sources at network elements (e.g., photovoltaics and storage) for network-level coordination without interfering with local grid control. The inter-domain Energy Management System (EMS) ingests standardized, multi-domain energy telemetry and forecasts (e.g., generation potential, carbon, and consumption intensity) and applies predictive modeling to produce localityaware reports for the IDMO. Guided by this intelligence, the IDMO coordinates cross-domain service decomposition, placement, and reconfiguration. Each DMO can locally promote IDMs whose energy mix satisfies sustainability and performance targets. We aim to validate the approach in a cross-domain proof-of-concept spanning two sites: a baseline site and a sustainable site, to demonstrate that our proposed architecture allows to balance orchestration latency and energy savings.

Future 6G networks will operate across distributed and heterogeneous domain infrastructures, making conventional single-domain management insufficient for proactive, trustworthy automation. Network Digital Twins (NDTs) enable what-if analysis, AI-assisted optimization, and risk-free validation of control actions before deployment, yet monolithic end-to-end twins remain impractical due to scalability, fidelity, and cross-domain coordination challenges. Accordingly, this paper proposes a Digital Twin-enabled 6G architecture that exposes NDT capabilities as a specialized service domain within a multi-domain orchestration framework built on a state-of-the-art service-based 6G architecture. A DT Orchestrator interprets predictive and prescriptive what-if queries and composes domain-specific DT modules and simulators on demand, while decision authority remains with the requesting entity. Furthermore, a generalized workflow covers telemetry synchronization, simulation-based decision support, and closed-loop execution. The framework is demonstrated through a green-networking use case that couples a system-level O-RAN cellular digital twin component with a two-stage solar-allocation simulator, evaluated over a 105-base-station deployment in Poznan using simulative datasets. Joint coverage and renewable optimization reduces daily grid consumption by 28.5% with 32 solar panels at the diminishing-returns threshold, with 17 base stations identified as both coverage-active and high-priority solar candidates as evidence that cross-domain NDT coordination enables sustainable, intent-driven 6G network management.

The architecture and management of next-generation mobile networks are integrating novel networking paradigms to support challenging scenarios. This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a fully cloud-native, end-to-end mobile network integrating O-RAN functionality. Built on top of open-source software, our proposed framework develops a set of cloud-native deployment artefacts-such as Helm Charts and Open Source MANO packages-also released as open-source. This framework supports highly disaggregated and distributed deployments of key network functions, including the 5G core, gNodeB (with decoupled Centralised and Distributed Unit entities), near-RT RIC, and xApps, enabling agile, portable, and flexible instantiations. Experiments show that the full cloud-native mobile network can be instantiated in less than five minutes, achieving a throughput comparable to bare-metal setups. This work highlights significant improvements in deployment efficiency and adaptability, contributing towards automated and autonomous cloud-native Beyond 5G/6G networks.

Integrating non-terrestrial and terrestrial networks (NTN-TN) is essential to provide ubiquitous coverage in beyond-5G systems. This demo showcases a cloud-native testbed where an NTN UE and a TN UE communicate through a unified 5G core over an emulated geostationary satellite. The setup combines SDR hardware, realistic channel emulation, and automated lifecycle management of mobile network functions using ETSI NFV MANO and open-source platforms.

The adoption of novel network paradigms in the architecture and management of mobile networks is accelerating its evolution. In this demonstration, we contribute to the cloud-native mobile network orchestration domain by presenting an end-to-end system allowing the disaggregated and distributed deployment of mobile network entities from core to RAN based on open-source software. The distinguishing features of this system are the possibility of enabling the configuration of slices that can be later activated on-demand and the use of O-RAN Split 7.2 for over-the-air transmission using commercial equipment.

The integration of Terrestrial Networks (TNs) with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) poses unique architectural and functional challenges due to heterogeneous propagation conditions, dynamic topologies and limited onboard processing capabilities. This paper presents a taxonomy of architectural and functional split strategies for integrated Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN)-enabled TN-NTN systems. We analyze key trade-offs in performance, latency, and autonomy by evaluating configurations that distribute RAN and core functions between satellites and ground nodes, from onboard Distributed Unit (DU) deployments to full gNB and User Plane Function (UPF) integration. The placement of Near-Real Time (RT) and Non-RT RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs) is also explored, with flexible strategies proposed to optimize control loop performance and scalability. We provide a comprehensive mapping between architectural splits and RIC placement options, highlighting implementation constraints and interoperability. Finally, we outline key challenges and future directions to facilitate efficient TN-NTN convergence within the O-RAN framework.

Satellite communication networks have long served as a vital connectivity backbone across Europe, particularly in remote and strategic areas. To enhance the efficiency of satellite operators in managing connectivity demands, the 5G-HUB project (within the Horizon Europe framework) aims to advance the EU's flagship GOVSATCOM initiative by developing a flexible and interoperable network management interface. This interface will link the GOVSATCOM-HUB (G-HUB) with resource providers deploying 5G core networks and microservice-based infrastructure. The project will validate G-HUB functions through three trials involving an interoperable 5 G NonTerrestrial Network (NTN) terminal operating in Ku and X bands. These trials will assess seamless resource allocation, Quality of Service (QoS) provision, and transparent traffic steering between satellite and terrestrial networks, especially in critical scenarios such as emergency and maritime operations. Additionally, the project will explore interoperability across multiple satellite network operators to support robust and resilient governmental communications.

Novel networking paradigms based on programmability and softwarization are deeply transforming the architecture and end-to-end management of next-generation mobile networks. This demonstration provides a step beyond in this transformation process by showcasing the full cloud-native deployment of a disaggregated and distributed 5 G mobile network from core to Radio Access Network (RAN) using open-source software. The distinguishing features of the proposed approach are that the orchestration process includes the use of a cloud-based Distributed Unit (DU) communicating through O-RAN Split 7.2 with a Radio Unit (RU) performing over-the-air transmission, the end-to-end configuration of slices with on-demand activation of core network function components, and the dynamic configuration of transport network flows to differently route the traffic of active slices.

Novel networking paradigms based on cloudification and open interfaces are making mobile networks more agile to adapt and meet the requirements of emerging use cases. Based on an automated end-to-end cloud-native open-source deployment of a 5G mobile network with over-the-air capabilities, this demonstration features the inclusion of a cloud-native monitoring system to follow the radio access network (RAN) performance evolution. By just defining the number of gNBs, this monitoring system automatically configures independent data sources and dashboards representing the evolution of received information while such gNBs are progressively created on-demand in a distributed environment.

Self-Sovereign-Identity (SSI) technologies based on blockchain networks (BCNs) are increasingly used in various industries, including telecommunications. To address the strict governance of telecommunication infrastructure, we propose a decentralized architecture based on BCN and BCN-based SSI for network management and orchestration to fully involve multiple entities in the management. The proposed solution aims to provide a trusted environment for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), Vertical Service Providers (SPs) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to manage the lifecycle of network services (such as instantiation, scaling, termination) in a multi-cloud environment. The identity authentication mechanism ensures control of permissions and cross-entity collaboration. The proposed approach is validated through an experimental scenario using Hyperledger Indy and Quorum BCN to measure various performance metrics related to service orchestrator (SO)-related instantiation and SSI credential verification metrics to to ensure improved feasibility, scalability, reliability, and performance. Our evaluation results show that the average time for writing data to the BCN is on the order of seconds, while the average times for different credential operations range from milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds, indicating that these operations are accomplished within shorter timeframes in the implemented system. We also provide recommendations for optimizing the system and address some observed challenges.

The advancements in virtualization technologies and distributed computing infrastructures have sparked the development of cloud-native applications. This is grounded in the breakdown of a monolithic application into smaller, loosely connected components, often referred to as microservices, enabling enhancements in the application’s performance, flexibility, and resilience, along with better resource utilization. When optimizing the performance of cloud-native applications, specific demands arise in terms of application latency and communication delays between microservices that are not taken into consideration by generic orchestration algorithms. In this work, we propose mechanisms for automating the allocation of computing resources to optimize the service delivery of cloud-native applications over the edge-cloud continuum. We initially introduce the problem’s Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation. Given the potentially overwhelming execution time for real-sized problems, we propose a greedy algorithm, which allocates resources sequentially in a best-fit manner. To further improve the performance, we introduce a multi-agent rollout mechanism that evaluates the immediate effect of decisions but also leverages the underlying greedy heuristic to simulate the decisions anticipated from other agents, encapsulating this in a Reinforcement Learning framework. This approach allows us to effectively manage the performance–execution time trade-off and enhance performance by controlling the exploration of the Rollout mechanism. This flexibility ensures that the system remains adaptive to varied scenarios, making the most of the available computational resources while still ensuring high-quality decisions.

This tutorial deals with the integration of data engineering with network management and orchestration in telecommunication networks. It provides participants with a comprehensive insight into the use of data engineering to improve the efficiency and performance of telecommunication systems, especially through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) technologies in network infrastructures. Practical applications are also demonstrated using relevant case studies to illustrate the implementation of these concepts.

Novel networking paradigms are enabling the introduction of innovative vertical use cases and new business relations in the B5G/6G mobile ecosystem. For instance, a use case may require the coordination of domains owned by different operators to provide service continuity and keep offering a vertical network service (NS) in similar conditions after a cross-border situation. This demonstration presents a procedure to perform a proactive service relocation in such a multi-administrative domain scenario considering an automotive use case. This demonstration proposes a cloud-native solution combining multiple enablers to manage the life-cycle of virtualised automotive NSs. During run-time, and upon registration, an AI/ML-based enabler decides proactively on the service relocation moment based on the collected vehicle’s positions and triggers an Integration Fabric enabler following ETSI ZSM guidelines to start a new instance of such automotive NS at the associated ETSI NFV management and orchestration stack present in the neighbouring administrative domain.

The exploitation of novel networking paradigms to manage next-generation mobile networks is essential to meet the requirements of emerging use cases and scenarios. In this demonstration, we showcase a comprehensive end-to-end cloud-native open-source deployment of a 5G mobile network incorporating O-RAN functionality. Spanning across distributed points of presence, this demonstration features a disaggregated and sequential deployment of mobile entities, enabling seamless adaptation to the availability and distribution of computational resources. We highlight the on-demand plug-and-play of different monitoring xApp instances to show the flexibility of the deployment process as a critical enabler towards more autonomous orchestration procedures aimed at optimizing network performance.