Research Track
Track Chair: Mihaela Chelaru · Co-Chairs: Mounish Sunkara, Eiji Oki
The Research Track invites paper submissions in interactive multimedia communications. Accepted papers will be submitted for publication in IEEE Xplore. The Technical Program inherits the 17-year legacy of the IPTComm Conference and the CQR workshop history (IEEE CQR).
Call for Papers and submission guidelines →
Important dates for paper submissions
- Paper submission deadline: Friday, July 17, 2026, 23:59 (Chicago time)
- Notification of acceptance: Monday, August 17, 2026
- Final camera-ready submission: Monday, September 7, 2026
Programmable Real-Time Networks and Applications
Track Chairs: Maureen Stillman, Chris Mayer
Programmable, cloud‑native real‑time networks are reshaping how communication service providers build, operate, and innovate. As mobile‑data consumption accelerates, operators are turning to Open RAN, cloud‑native 5G cores, network APIs, and AI‑driven automation for greater flexibility, efficiency, and scalability.
This track explores how programmability empowers engineers to automate and scale services, examines technical and regulatory hurdles, highlights cross‑disciplinary opportunities, and introduces the emerging "Telco as a Platform" model.
WebRTC & Real-Time Applications
Track Chair: Vishnu Challagulla · Co-Chair: Advait Patel
Real-time applications enable live audio, video, and data transfers. WebRTC is the W3C/IETF standard used across social media, telecommunications, healthcare, education, broadcasting, and more.
In this track we will explore WebRTC standards and market status, open source updates, best practices, scaling strategies, leading use cases, and AI integrations.
Next Generation Emergency Communications Services
Track Chair: Carol Davids
Under FCC regulations (47 CFR 9.31), 911 Authorities can request IP-based SIP delivery of 911 traffic aligned with NG911 standards. Several U.S. states and Canadian provinces are advancing Next Generation deployments.
As multimedia and sensor data challenge human capacity, technologists turn to AI and ML for situational awareness, location accuracy, and life-saving outcomes. Join us as RTC intersects public safety.
AI in RTC
Track Chair: Joe Smetana · Co-Chairs: Anokh Kishore, Biswaranjan Senapati, Stephen Xia
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping real-time communications (RTC) end-to-end, from how we capture, transport, and optimize live media to how we understand speech, generate responses, and automate actions during a conversation.
Topics include LLMs and generative AI for voice, NLU/NLP and speech AI, real-time analytics, edge AI, voice biometrics, AI safety and privacy, and interoperability standards.
IEEE International Communications Quality and Reliability Workshop (CQR 2026)
Track Chairs: Taha Sajid & Abby Knowles
The IEEE CQR (Communications Quality and Reliability) International Workshop is held annually with the purpose of bringing together industry and academic experts to present and discuss communications quality, reliability and security issues as they relate to real world issues. The output from the workshops adds to the community's body of knowledge and serves to inform, help form opinions, and to assist in the development of best practices and relevant standards.
In 2026 the CQR Workshop will again be collocated with the RTC Conference at IIT to the benefit of participants in both events. We saw huge synergies between the two and our speakers and attendees confirmed this for us last year as well.
A single registration allows you to attend sessions in either event. The Call for Papers applies to both events, and all papers that are accepted for publication will be presented in the Research Track of the RTC Conference with their origin as CQR-related appropriately identified.
Our Theme for the 2026 Workshop is:
The Future of Trusted Communications Infrastructure:
AI, Quantum, Cloud, and 6G
- The New Physical Layer – AI in Baseband & Integrated Sensing
- Autonomous Reliability & AI-Native Networks
- NextGen Emergency Comms & System Reliability
- Navigating Convergence – 6G, Quantum, and Cloud
- Privacy, Ethics, and Algorithmic Responsibility
- The Overdue Human Toll (Closing Workshop)
