Guest editorial

Excerpt

One of the key characteristics of the Future Internet is the synergy and interworking of existing and new wireless communication environments that will exhibit ubiquity and multi-access capabilities. The integration of heterogeneous networks is revolutionizing the ICT area, introducing new opportunities, better communication channels and an enhanced quality of provided applications and services. In this environment, a user can connect to a number of heterogeneous RATs (Radio Access Technologies), either covering the same, or complementary geographical areas. These networks can be macro-cellular, WLANs, femto-cellular or even ad-hoc. In this ecosystem, seamless mobility is coupled with user preferences, enabling mobile users to be “Always Best Connected” (ABC) so that Quality of Experience is optimised and maintained. Furthermore, communication security is required at both communication and service layer in order to reassure confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and maintain QoS of on-going sessions in a seamless manner. …