IEEE Access Special Section Editorial: Emerging Cloud-Based Wireless Communications and Networks.

Cloud-based processing is expected to play a major role in the fifth generation (5G) wireless systems, which allows for a high-quality experience for mobile cellular access. Based on the idea of combining the cloud computing technology and cellular communications, the cloud base station architecture revolutionizes the design of cellular systems. In this Special Section, five papers are included, which investigate the cloud-based wireless communications and networks from various aspects, including the joint consideration of cloud radio access networks with, respectively, heterogeneous networks and fog networks, the issues of cloud offloading, and an Internet of Things (IoT) application taking advantage of the cloud-based wireless networks.