Call for Papers

The 25th Biennial Conference of the International Telecommunications Society, Tokyo, Japan (ITS2026Tokyo)
June 28 - July 1, 2026

Navigating Digital Frontiers in a Turbulent World

　

Call for Papers and Session Proposals

In this era of global uncertainty, telecommunication, digital networks, and artificial intelligence (AI) have become even more important than ever before. These systems don't just connect us; they fundamentally reshape how we communicate, build communities, make decisions, and respond to crises. As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, its impact on our social, political, and economic systems has also become increasingly profound. From human-human to human-machine relationships, digital technologies—now increasingly powered by AI—are transforming the world we inhabit.

The 2026 Biennial Conference of the International Telecommunications Society invites scholars, scientists, engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders to delve into the transformative power of digital and communication technologies in today’s turbulent world on an open and diversified platform.

The conference theme, "Navigating Digital Frontiers in a Turbulent World," highlights the crucial role telecommunication networks and AI technology play in maintaining connectivity, resilience, and social cohesion amidst global uncertainty. From broadband platforms and 5G/6G deployment to AI-driven applications and evolving models of Internet governance, the impact of these technologies goes beyond technical infrastructure. They also serve as critical foundations for equity, access, innovation, and civic participation.

In addition to the session themes listed below, submissions addressing other subjects relating to telecommunications, media markets, and policies are also welcome. Theoretical and empirical papers are welcome, as are methodologically qualitative and quantitative papers. We also encourage proposals for panel sessions that foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.

Session themes:

I. Governance, Ethics, and Policy

  1. ICT economics and policy, regulation, and spectrum management
  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, ethics, regulations, and legal issues
  3. Regulating social media, restrictions, and youth protection
  4. Digital transformation, open government, and e-democracy
  5. Techno-nationalism, protectionism, and sovereignty

II. Digital Inclusion, Economy, and Society

  1. Digital divide, inequality, and inequity, ICT for development
  2. Universal service and digital connectivity
  3. Digital economy, e-payments, and cryptocurrency
  4. Post-COVID world, telework, digital nomads, and digitally mediated business models
  5. Digital technologies for a circular economy and sustainability

III. Security, Sovereignty, and Resilience

  1. Algorithmic harm, AI, deepfake, and weaponization of information
  2. Cybersecurity, information warfare, and national security
  3. Trust, online mis and disinformation, conspiracy theories, and digital populism
  4. Country case studies, ICT applications, challenges, and solutions
  5. ICT for disaster risk management and the resilience of digital infrastructure

IV. Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies

  1. IoT, Big Data, cloud computing, distributed ledger technology, smart cities, and Industry 4.0
  2. 5G, open-RAN, roll-out acceleration, edge computing, and path to 6G
  3. Advanced network technologies, such as Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN)
  4. Self-driving revolution and autonomous mobility
  5. Robots, automation, and workforce transition

V. Media and Communication Futures

  1. Content Creation in the AI Era
  2. Algorithmic Curation and the Future of Public Discourse
  3. Credibility and sustainability of media and the future of journalism
  4. Future of broadcasting, media convergence, and OTT streaming services
  5. Virtual space, metaverse, Immersive Media, and the Redefinition of Reality: XR, AR, and Mixed Reality

Submissions addressing any other subject relating to ICT and media are also welcome.

Important dates

  • Call for Papers: August 29, 2025
  • Online submission open: November 25, 2025
  • Deadline for paper and session proposals: January 6, 2026
  • Notification of acceptance: February 20, 2026
  • Registration open: February 20, 2026
  • Deadline for paper presenters' registration: March 13, 2026
  • Deadline for final papers: May 22, 2026
  • Deadline for Early-bird registration: May 29, 2026
  • Online registration close: June 15, 2026
    (Onsite registration is acceptable.)
  • ITS2026 in Tokyo, Japan: June 28 - July 1, 2026

Submission of abstracts

Abstracts should be about 2 pages (800 to 1000 words) in length and contain the following information:

  • Title of the contribution
  • A clear statement of the research question
  • Remarks on methodology adopted in the paper
  • Outline of (expected) results
  • Bibliographical notes (up to 6 key references used in the paper)
  • Keywords

Please submit your abstract via EasyChair. (Online submission is scheduled to open on November 25, 2025.)
All abstracts will be subject to double-blind peer review.
Please ensure that your abstract is anonymized. You will be invited to provide your personal information in a different section.

Submission of full paper

The author can use their own format for the ITS2026Tokyo full paper. However, the organizer recommends using the template provided below. The full paper using this template should be at least four pages long. The necessary information is provided in detail in the template.

Download "Template for ITS full paper submission.docx"

Online submission

　

ITS2026Tokyo is using the Easychair online submission system.
Online submission is scheduled to open on November 25, 2025.