Machine learning for handover decision with mobile edge computing in 6G mobile network: a survey

The forthcoming Six-Generation (6G) cellular network promises to provide novel developments in network architecture, offering greater data rates and ultra-low latency, ensuring seamless and reliable connectivity with a high quality of service for a massive number of connected devices. Even though ef...

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Main Authors: Soule Issa Loutfi, Ibraheem Shayea, Ufuk Tureli, Ayman A. El-Saleh, Waheeb Tashan, Ramazan Caglar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215098625001867
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author Soule Issa Loutfi
Ibraheem Shayea
Ufuk Tureli
Ayman A. El-Saleh
Waheeb Tashan
Ramazan Caglar
author_facet Soule Issa Loutfi
Ibraheem Shayea
Ufuk Tureli
Ayman A. El-Saleh
Waheeb Tashan
Ramazan Caglar
author_sort Soule Issa Loutfi
collection DOAJ
description The forthcoming Six-Generation (6G) cellular network promises to provide novel developments in network architecture, offering greater data rates and ultra-low latency, ensuring seamless and reliable connectivity with a high quality of service for a massive number of connected devices. Even though efficient handover decision-making is one of the critical challenges in 6G networks, especially with high mobility scenarios and complex characterization of future networks. The case becomes more critical with the implementation of Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), which will lead to making the handover decision process more challenging due to its characterization and high requirements. This paper presents a systematic review of the handover decision (HOD) with MEC in 6G networks, providing a deep understanding of the most standing challenges and solutions addressing mobility management issues in 6G mobile networks. Moreover, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) technologies are the key promising solutions for intelligent HOD-making in 6G networks with MEC. Therefore, this research work also aims to give a main focus on studying and highlighting the advanced ML methods that can be used to enhance HOD-making in 6G cellular networks with MEC. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of HOD-based ML solutions is provided to enhance the Quality of Service (QoS) of user experience in Heterogeneous Networks (HetNet), instilling confidence in the paper’s findings. Besides, proposed solutions for HODs using ML models with next-generation network requirements and possible technologies are presented. We also describe research challenges and future directions for achieving this study.
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spelling doaj-art-ea247b394f2547f9be451f545ab3b18c2025-08-20T03:08:56ZengElsevierEngineering Science and Technology, an International Journal2215-09862025-09-016910213110.1016/j.jestch.2025.102131Machine learning for handover decision with mobile edge computing in 6G mobile network: a surveySoule Issa Loutfi0Ibraheem Shayea1Ufuk Tureli2Ayman A. El-Saleh3Waheeb Tashan4Ramazan Caglar5Electronics and Communication Engineering Department, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34220 Istanbul, Turkey; Corresponding authors.Electronics and Communication Engineering Department, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34467 Istanbul, Turkey; Corresponding authors.Electronics and Communication Engineering Department, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34220 Istanbul, TurkeyDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering, A'Sharqiyah University, 400 Ibra, Oman; Corresponding authors.Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41001 Kocaeli, TurkeyDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (ITU), 34469 Istanbul, TurkeyThe forthcoming Six-Generation (6G) cellular network promises to provide novel developments in network architecture, offering greater data rates and ultra-low latency, ensuring seamless and reliable connectivity with a high quality of service for a massive number of connected devices. Even though efficient handover decision-making is one of the critical challenges in 6G networks, especially with high mobility scenarios and complex characterization of future networks. The case becomes more critical with the implementation of Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), which will lead to making the handover decision process more challenging due to its characterization and high requirements. This paper presents a systematic review of the handover decision (HOD) with MEC in 6G networks, providing a deep understanding of the most standing challenges and solutions addressing mobility management issues in 6G mobile networks. Moreover, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) technologies are the key promising solutions for intelligent HOD-making in 6G networks with MEC. Therefore, this research work also aims to give a main focus on studying and highlighting the advanced ML methods that can be used to enhance HOD-making in 6G cellular networks with MEC. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of HOD-based ML solutions is provided to enhance the Quality of Service (QoS) of user experience in Heterogeneous Networks (HetNet), instilling confidence in the paper’s findings. Besides, proposed solutions for HODs using ML models with next-generation network requirements and possible technologies are presented. We also describe research challenges and future directions for achieving this study.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215098625001867Mobility managementHandover decisionMobile edge computingMachine learningHeterogeneous networks6G network
spellingShingle Soule Issa Loutfi
Ibraheem Shayea
Ufuk Tureli
Ayman A. El-Saleh
Waheeb Tashan
Ramazan Caglar
Machine learning for handover decision with mobile edge computing in 6G mobile network: a survey
Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal
Mobility management
Handover decision
Mobile edge computing
Machine learning
Heterogeneous networks
6G network
title Machine learning for handover decision with mobile edge computing in 6G mobile network: a survey
title_full Machine learning for handover decision with mobile edge computing in 6G mobile network: a survey
title_fullStr Machine learning for handover decision with mobile edge computing in 6G mobile network: a survey
title_full_unstemmed Machine learning for handover decision with mobile edge computing in 6G mobile network: a survey
title_short Machine learning for handover decision with mobile edge computing in 6G mobile network: a survey
title_sort machine learning for handover decision with mobile edge computing in 6g mobile network a survey
topic Mobility management
Handover decision
Mobile edge computing
Machine learning
Heterogeneous networks
6G network
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215098625001867
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