  The advent of the sixth generation (6G) wireless networks heralds a
transformative era for mobile communication, where the integration of
cutting-edge technologies like Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) is
paramount in addressing the burgeoning demands for energy efficiency, high data
rates, reliable connectivity, and enhanced coverage in densely populated areas.
RISs have attracted the attention of academia as well as the industry and
emerged as a beacon of innovation, offering a novel paradigm to reconfigure the
wireless propagation environment beneficially, thereby enhancing the overall
network performance. It is envisioned that the deployment of numerous RISs in a
mobile network will serve user equipments (UEs) to boost various key
performance indicators (KPIs), with lower energy consumption compared to
alternative solutions (e.g., relays, and network-controlled repeaters).
However, the knowledge of whether or not a UE is being served through an RIS
and if so, which RIS it is being served by is crucial and beneficial for
various network planning and operational reasons. In this paper, we address the
importance and the benefits of RIS identification in a mobile network.
Additionally, we guide the readers and researchers by introducing alternative
methods to enable RIS identification. Through the lens of this research, we
unveil and shed light to various benefits, the challenges, and future
opportunities in the identification of RISs serving mobile users in complex
network environments, highlighting the necessity for advanced identification
strategies to fully harness the potential of RIS technology in next-generation
wireless systems.
