The articles in this special section focus on network softwarization and management. This renewed series focuses on softwarization, management, and their integration in communication networks and their services. “Network Softwarization” advocates for network architectures that separate the software implementing network functions, protocols and services from the hardware running them. Propelled by the maturity of technologies like network function virtualization and software-defined networking, softwarization is radically changing the way communication infrastructures are designed, programmed, integrated and operated, enabling rapid and innovative service creation with easy deployment and opening the door to a faster pace of innovation.