Top usecases of blockchain for 5G

5G technology is one of the most powerful forces in ushering in the fourth industrial revolution– Industry 4.0. The three main use cases for 5G technology are enhanced mobile broadband, large machine style networking, and ultra-reliable low latency connectivity. This means that providers would have to deal with issues such as network coverage and reliability, data integrity and stability, and the need for decentralised architectures (for compute, storage, and security). Furthermore, the troika of consumers, regulators, and governments is prioritising data security and autonomy.

Advancements in hardware (chip and sensor technology) as well as software (AI/ML and AR/VR) are paving the way for the Industry 4.0 revolution. However, blockchain is one of the main technologies in the telecommunications and networking space that deserves further research and development. We can't neglect the fact that blockchain technology has a number of drawbacks, including issues with performance and scalability, as well as concerns about safety and security.

5G Network Coverage and Reliability

To meet 5G small cell density requirements, operators would need to be able to efficiently manage such ultra-dense networks. Blockchain networks can allow for secure peer-to-peer communications with base stations in a network or even relay network output data for AI algorithms to better manage and optimise radio access networks in a self-organizing network setup. Some network changes can be made with blockchain-enabled smart contracts or a rules engine in SON that was set up before the network was configured or upgraded.

Integrity and security of data

Blockchain could be used as a secure database of data/transactions for various AI algorithms. The data that AI learns from is just as good as the data that it learns from. Data privacy and protection will be enhanced by consensus algorithms, the immutability of blockchain transactions, and cryptography-based encryption. Blockchain is well-known in the healthcare industry for securely storing and sharing patient data.

By providing an immutable record of a user's interactions with the network, smart contracts may allow business-oriented applications such as billing (s). It can also handle network resource-sharing settlements between different telco networks automatically.

Decentralized architectures

Blockchain lends itself well to decentralised architectures due to its distributed nature and peer-to-peer network characteristics. This may be the most convincing reason for many people to believe that the blockchain is a precursor to a new, more user-centric internet (in comparison to the model today). We won't need to remember multiple identities (usernames and passwords), and users will have more control about who has access to their information. People will have a single id that will enable them to link to multiple operators' networks without being tied to any of them.

Public blockchain models may be used in 5G edge computing use cases involving vehicular networks to enable the sharing of vehicular and traffic information. This would be regarded as a fast and permanent record for resolving automobile insurance claims.

Blockchain-enabled control and authentication of IoT devices may meet the requirement for a wide network of IoT devices to link with millisecond latency in settings such as smart cities and UAV fleets.

Wrapping up

Although the technology and its potential applications are exciting, blockchain must first solve the scalability issue before it can be used effectively in telecom networks. The robustness of smart contracts would have to be tested on a scale never seen before on networks like Ethereum. It's also necessary to establish interoperability across different blockchain networks or frameworks. The use of blockchain for auto insurance settlement is an example of cooperation among a wide range of stakeholders, including car manufacturers, insurance companies, operators, networking service providers, and regulators.