The mobile market has experienced unprecedented growth over the last few decades. Consumer trends have shifted towards mobile internet services supported by 3G and 4G networks worldwide. Inherent to existing networks are problems such as lack of spectrum, high energy consumption, and inter-cell interference. These limitations have led to the emergence of 5G technology. It is clear that any 5G system will integrate optical communications, which is already a mainstay of wide area networks. Using an optical core to route 5G data raises significant questions of how wireless and optical can coexist in synergy to provide smooth, end-to-end communication pathways. Optical and Wireless Convergence for 5G Networks explores new emerging technologies, concepts, and approaches for seamlessly integrating optical-wireless for 5G and beyond.

Considering both fronthaul and backhaul perspectives, this timely book provides insights on managing an ecosystem of mixed and multiple access network communications focused on optical-wireless convergence. Topics include Fiber–Wireless (FiWi), Hybrid Fiber-Wireless (HFW), Visible Light Communication (VLC), 5G optical sensing technologies, approaches to real-time IoT applications, Tactile Internet, Fog Computing (FC), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and many others. This book aims to provide an inclusive survey of 5G optical-wireless requirements, architecture developments, and technological solutions.

ABDELGADER M. ABDALLA, PHD, is a Senior Researcher at the Instituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, Portugal. He is acting as a work package leader/task leader for two ECSEL Innovation Actions European projects. He is also playing a leading international role on optical-wireless convergence research.

JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ, PHD, is a Principal Investigator and founder of the Mobile Systems Research Lab at the Instituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, Portugal. He is also a full Professor at the University of South Wales, UK.

ISSA ELFERGANI, PHD, is a Senior Researcher at the Instituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, Portugal, working as technical manager and work package leader on several national and international projects. He is an expert on Radio Communication.

ANTONIO TEIXEIRA, PHD, is a Professor at the University of Aveiro and Principal Investigator at the Instituto de Telecomunicações, Portugal. He was with Nokia Siemens Networks and Coriant as a standardization expert in the field of optical access. He holds an EC in management and leadership from MIT Sloan School.