Blockchain Radio Access Network Beyond 5G

We present a blockchain radio access network (B-RAN) as an advanced wireless access paradigm. The proposed B-RAN unites massive trustless subnetworks to form a large-scale trustworthy cooperative network by leveraging the blockchain principle. We introduce the economic concept of network effects with respect to the benefit of a growing B-RAN. We show that B-RAN can create and capture values by connecting multilateral groups and constructing a multi-sided platform (MSP). To establish multi-fold trust among distinct groups for deep integrations and healthy interactions, we divide functions of B-RAN into six layers within a hierarchical architecture to build trust from the ground up, and provide a number of key enabling technologies to overcome major obstacles in B-RAN. More importantly, we assess the…