The rapid escalation of wireless data and accessible devices required by 5G-enabled Internet of things (IoT), has meant that 5G networks and beyond 5G networks face challenges in meeting these demands. To solve this problem, several key technologies have been identified, such as cell free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), millimetre waves (mmWave), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and multiple access (MA). Among the above technologies, the MA technology is widely considered as one of the key enablers in multi-user/multi-node wireless communication systems. Hence, the combination of MA technology and IoT can make a great contribution to providing advanced and intelligent services and to help improve our society.

There is a wide range of applications for MA-enabled IoT in many fields, such as industry, agriculture, environment, traffic, logistics, or security. The scope of service, the mode of service, and the quality of service can be greatly improved by MA-enabled IoT, which has effectively promoted intelligent development and improved the efficiency of the industry by more reasonably utilising and distributing the limited resources available. With the exponential growth of mobile devices, energy efficiency, data rate, time delay, and interoperability play an important role for MA technology. Therefore, MA-enabled IoT architecture requires new standardization to provide seamless connectivity. In addition, the security and channel utilisation of MA-enabled IoT networks in diverse scenarios provide a new set of challenges.

This Special Issue aims to bring together researchers to report recent research advances in MA-enabled IoT, exchange new ideas with innovative technologies and solutions towards MA-enabled IoT physical and upper layers. In view of the current strong interest in critical MA-enabled IoT, such as network architecture and system design, fog and edge computing, big data, and machine learning, we invite researchers to contribute to original research and review articles to identify opportunities for MA-enabled IoT and to address the challenges that this brings.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems for MA-enabled IoT
• Unmanned aerial vehicles for MA-enabled IoT
• Physical layer security for MA-enabled IoT
• Energy harvesting for MA-enabled IoT
• Cooperative and relay communications for MA-enabled IoT
• Millimetre wave communications for MA-enabled IoT
• Artificial intelligence techniques for MA-enabled IoT