Mobile systems in the era of 5G networks are viewed from the perspectives of innovations based on cloud computing, content delivery, and service platform. Cloud service has been enabled through one of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Especially for mobile cloud service, it is needed to elaborate on mobile access networks and platforms to consider mobility and real-time operation. Cloud service is also closely related to content delivery issues such as content delivery networks and content centric networks; therefore, content delivery in mobile networks should be discussed together with mobile cloud systems.

Another challenge towards next generation mobile systems is how to handle a massive number of IoT devices. The number of things is expected to grow to 26 billion units excluding PCs and smartphones installed in 2020. Connected devices are placed everywhere such as energy grids, healthcare facilities, transportation, and smart city. These devices could be effectively managed through cloud service. Automated network management is a good approach which can reduce capital and operation expenditures, thus stimulating service demand, increasing revenues, and maintaining profitability. New paradigms for automation of network and system operations, Software Defined Network (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV), are beneficial to achieve the business objectives.

The realization of such technologies is facing new challenges to enable novel system architecture including new service platforms and cloud systems towards 5G networks. This special issue solicits original contributions on all facets of next generation mobile systems and networks.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Mobility enhancement on mobile cloud
• SLA management for mobile cloud
• Real-time VM or container for mobile cloud services
• Fog enabled future mobile platforms
• Collaboration protocols for peer-to-peer mobile communication
• Contents delivery/centric network for mobile communication
• IoT coupled mobile systems and services
• Future infrastructure networking and services