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A survey on the use of blockchain for future 6G: technical aspects, use cases, challenges and research directions

  • Anshuman Kalla
    ,
  • Chamitha De Alwis
    ,
  • Pawani Porambage
    ,
  • Gürkan Gür
    ,
  • Madhusanka Liyanage
  • Uka Tarsadia University
    ,
  • University of Sri Jayewardeneprua
    ,
  • VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.
    ,
  • Zurich University of Applied Sciences
    ,
  • University College Dublin
    ,
  • University of Oulu
Research Output: Contribution to journal Review article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

While 5G is at the early deployment state around the globe, the research and industrial communities have already started concentrating their efforts on formulating the overall 6G vision comprising requirements, key enabling technologies, performance indicators, and applications. Following the trend, it is evident that 6G will emerge as highly softwarized and open networks allowing the participation of multiple stakeholders. This undoubtedly will make 6G more flexible, agile, autonomous, intelligent, and cost-efficient networks. However, the programmability and openness will make 6G networks more prone to issues like security, privacy, traceability, interoperability, auditability, resource manageability, spectrum efficiency, and 3D mobility. To address these issues, a deep integration of blockchain technology with 6G networks is foreseen. Thus, we aim to put together blockchain and 6G under a magnifying lens to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of blockchain in the 6G ecosystem. We begin by providing an overview of the envisioned 6G networks and blockchain technology. Next, we present a high-level view of the role of blockchain for 6G trends and requirements. Following that, we conduct an in-depth study on how the blockchain can provide a secure, transparent, and decentralized underpinning to various technical aspects and use cases of 6G. Thereafter, we discuss the deployment challenges to be faced while integrating blockchain in 6G and the possible solutions. Finally, future research directions are expounded to set the floor for further advancements in the blockchainized 6G.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Review article Peer-review

Original language

English

Article number

100404

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Industrial Information Integration (Volume 30)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 06/10/2022
  • Published - 17/10/2022

Publication status

Published - 17/10/2022

ISSN

2452-414X

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/625543
  • Scopus: 85140807943

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