The 1st free5GC World Forum 2025
About the Forum
Call for Papers
We invite submissions for the 1st free5GC World Forum. The forum seeks original, unpublished papers focusing on security, architecture, innovation, and real-world applications of 5G core networks, particularly those leveraging the free5GC platform.
Submission deadline: June 20 July 12, 2025
We are pleased to announce the 1st free5GC World Forum, to be held in conjunction with ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS) 2025 (https://www.sigsac.org/ccs/CCS2025/), one of the premier conferences in cybersecurity. This forum will bring together researchers, industry professionals, and open-source contributors to explore the challenges and recent advancements in 5G core networks, with a particular focus on security and the transformative role of free5GC, the leading open-source 5G Standalone (SA) core network.
free5GC (https://free5gc.org/), a project hosted by the Linux Foundation, is a fully 3GPP-compliant open-source 5G core network platform. It empowers researchers, developers, and businesses to drive innovation in 5G systems, providing a robust prototyping environment for next-generation connectivity solutions. Recent notable architectures such as L25GC+ (https://github.com/nycu-ucr/L25GC-plus), which aim to significantly reduce control plane latency while maintaining 3GPP compliance, exemplify how free5GC facilitates the development and testing of cutting-edge ideas on a production-grade 5G core.
The forum will provide a unique opportunity for participants to share insights, present innovations, and shape the future direction of free5GC and next-generation mobile networks.
Submissions will be evaluated based on technical rigor, novelty, and relevance to 5G core networks. Priority will be given to papers that demonstrate practical security implications, novel attack models, performance improvements, or defense mechanisms applicable to free5GC, L25GC+, and related platforms.
Program
The following times are on GMT+8.
| Time | Session | Title | Authors/Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00–10:10 | Opening | Opening Remarks | |
| 10:10–10:30 | Keynote | Recent Research and Development of free5GC | Prof. Jyh-Cheng Chen, Lifetime Chair Professor, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University |
| 10:30–11:00 | Break | Morning Tea Break | |
| 11:00–12:00 | Session I | Rethinking 5G Core for Performance, Fairness, and Flexibility | Yang-Zhe Lin, Chun-Ting Lin, Po-Yi Lin (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University), Shixiong Qi (University of Kentucky), Jyh-Cheng Chen (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University), K. K. Ramakrishnan (University of California, Riverside) |
| A Machine Learning-Driven NWDAF Architecture For Intelligent 5G Core Networks | Tsung-Fang Chen, Chien Chen, Jyh-Cheng Chen (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) | ||
| Federated Spectrum Poisoning: Attacks and Defenses | Ngoc Duy Pham, Thusitha Dayaratne (Monash University), Viet Vo (Swinburne University of Technology), Blake Haydon (Monash University), Shangqi Lai, Alsharif Abuadbba, Hajime Suzuki (CSIRO's Data61), Carsten Rudolph (Monash University), Xingliang Yuan (The University of Melbourne) | ||
| 12:00–13:30 | Break | Lunch | |
| 13:30–15:00 | Session II | Saving 5G Core from Cryptocrastination | Aditya Koranga (NgKore, OpenSSL and Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance) |
| Implementing EAP-TLS in free5GC for Non-SIM Device Connectivity | Chuan-Yi Cheng, Yu-Xun Tang, Ping-Tsan Liu, Chi-Yu Li (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) | ||
| Design and Implementation of Accounting Manipulation over PFCP in 5G Core Networks | Jia-Ding Lin, Peng-Yu Chen, Chin-Ya Huang (National Taiwan University of Science and Technology) | ||
| P4-enabled Trusted WLAN Access Network with Edge Computing | Ze-yu Jin, Wai-Lok Shum, Li-Hsing Yen, Chien-Chao Tseng (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) | ||
| Robust Anomaly Detection in O-RAN: Leveraging LLMs against Data Manipulation Attacks | Thusitha Dayaratne, Ngoc Duy Pham (Monash University), Viet Vo (Swinburne University of Technology), Shangqi Lai, Sharif Abuadbba, Hajime Suzuki (CSIRO's Data61), Xingliang Yuan (The University of Melbourne), Carsten Rudolph (Monash University) | ||
| 15:00–15:30 | Break | Afternoon Tea Break | |
| 15:30–16:20 | Session III | Creation and Support of 5G Core Network Slices with a focus on eMBB | Meng-Ting Hsieh, Fuchun Joseph Lin, Chien Chen, Jyh-Cheng Chen (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) |
| Performance and Viability Analysis of Deploying Cloud-native 5G Autoscaling Platforms | Amber Yucebas, Ruoting Xiong, Yi Ren, Xu Zhang (University of East Anglia) | ||
| Creation and Support of 5G Edge Network Slicing – Focusing on URLLC Slicing | Wei-Cheng Lai, Fuchun Joseph Lin, Jyh-Cheng Chen, Chien Chen (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) | ||
| Support New Radio Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) in free5GC Core Network | Feng Tu, Chien Chen, Jyh-Cheng Chen (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) | ||
| 16:20–16:30 | Closing | Concluding Remarks |
Topics of Interest
We invite original research papers, technical reports, and case studies in, but not limited to, the following areas:
5G Security
- Security and Privacy in 5G Core Networks
- Threat Modeling and Attack Detection for free5GC
- Secure Network Slicing and Isolation
- Authentication and Access Control in 5G
- Zero Trust Architectures for 5G Core Networks
- AI/ML for Anomaly Detection in free5GC
- Denial-of-Service (DoS) Mitigation in 5G Core
- End-to-End Security in 5G and Beyond
- Post-Quantum Cryptography for 5G Core
- Security of Interoperability Between 5G and Legacy Networks
- Forensics and Incident Response in 5G Core Networks
Network Architecture and Innovation
- NFV and Container Security in 5G Deployments
- Low-Latency 5G Core Architectures (e.g., L25GC+)
- free5GC Development and Enhancements
- 5G Standalone (SA) Core Networks
- Next-Generation Cellular Network Architectures
- Network Slicing and Virtualized Core Networks
- Edge Computing and MEC Integration
- AI/ML for Network Optimization
- 6G Vision and Future Core Networks
- Interoperability and Multi-Vendor Deployments
- 5G Core Support for Private Cellular Networks
- 5G Core Support in Multi-Operator Network Scenarios
Real-World Use Cases of free5GC
- Real-World Deployments and Use Cases of free5GC
- Open-Source Project integration with free5GC
Submission Guidelines
- Submitted papers must not substantially overlap papers that have been published or that are simultaneously submitted to a journal or a conference with proceedings.
- Long papers: Maximum 12 pages for review, with the final camera-ready version limited to 9 pages. Submissions should be no more than 12 pages in the ACM double-column format, excluding the bibliography and well-marked appendix. Committee members are not required to read the appendices, so the paper should be understandable without them. For accepted papers, the final camera-ready version may be limited to 9 pages, including the bibliography, appendix, and all content.
- Short papers: 4 pages for both review and final camera-ready submission. The forum also welcomes short submissions of up to 4 pages for preliminary results or concise contributions that can be clearly described in a few pages.
- Authors of long-paper submissions may indicate in a footnote on the first page if they would like their paper to also be considered for publication as a short paper (4 pages in the proceedings).
- Submissions must be PDF files in the ACM double-column format (https://www.acm.org/publications/proceedings-template) using the “sigconf” template. Authors should not modify the font or margins of the ACM format. The CCS information such as concepts, keywords, or rights management data (e.g., DOI, ISBN) must be included. A teaser figure is optional. Please refer to sample-sigconf.tex and sample-sigconf.pdf in the ACM LaTeX package (https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/association-for-computing-machinery-acm-sig-proceedings-template/bmvfhcdnxfty) for formatting examples. Submissions not following the required format may be rejected without review.
- Submissions should not be anonymized.
- Submissions are to be made to the submission website at HotCRP (https://free5gc-2025.hotcrp.com/). Only PDF files will be accepted. Submissions not meeting these guidelines risk rejection without consideration of their merits.
- Authors of accepted papers must ensure that their paper will be presented at the forum by at least one of the authors.
Note
Authors of accepted papers must guarantee that their paper will be presented at the workshop.
Important Dates
Paper Submission Deadline
June 20 July 12, 2025
Notification of Acceptance
August 8, 2025
Camera-Ready Papers Due
August 22, 2025
Forum Date
October 13, 2025
Venue
The 1st free5GC World Forum will take place in conjunction with ACM CCS 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan, offering opportunities for in-depth discussions and collaboration on securing 5G core networks.
Visa
Before traveling to Taiwan, please review the visa requirements and ensure that you have a valid visa. For detailed information, please visit: https://www.sigsac.org/ccs/CCS2025/visa/.
Organizing Committee
General Chairs
Jyh-Cheng Chen
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
K. K. Ramakrishnan
University of California, Riverside
International Advisory Committee
Falko Dressler
TU Berlin
Tommaso Melodia
Northeastern University
Akihiro Nakao
The University of Tokyo
Shivendra Panwar
Tandon School of Engineering of New York University
Ashutosh Sabharwal
Rice University
Gil Zussman
Columbia University
Technical Program Committee Chair
Chien Chen
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Publicity Chairs
Chi-Yu Li
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Shixiong Qi
University of Kentucky
Web Chair
Yi Chen
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Program Committee Members
Chien Chen, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Yi Chen, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Nakjung Choi, Nokia Bell Labs
Rahman Doost-Mohammady, Rice University
Ashutosh Dutta, Johns Hopkins University
Xinyu Lei, Michigan Technological University
Chi-Yu Li, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Fuchun Joseph Lin, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Yang Lou, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Chunyi Peng, Purdue University
Shixiong Qi, University of Kentucky
Edwin Ren, University of East Anglia
Yuji Sekiya, The University of Tokyo
Ivan Seskar, Rutgers University
Zhaowei Tan, University of California, Riverside
Chien-Chao Tseng, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Guan-Hua Tu, Michigan State University
Hiroki Watanabe, SoftBank Corp.
Yang Xiao, University of Kentucky
Tian Xie, Utah State University
Li-Hsing Yen, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)
Antonia Zhai, University of Minnesota
Zhi-Li Zhang, University of Minnesota
© 2025 free5GC World Forum. All rights reserved.