Creating value through blockchain powered resource configurations: Analysis of 5G network slice brokering case

Abstract

The exponential growth of wireless services with diversity of devices and applications has inspired the research community to come up with novel concepts to improve the efficiency of resource use. It is cost efficient and practical to be able to evaluate and analyze expected value of use cases before actual implementation of the solution. This paper presents blockchain network slice brokering use case value analysis and results in the industrial automation application scenario. The use case value was assessed applying resource configuration framework against blockchain and smart contracts characteristics and capabilities. According to the findings, expected value of blockchain network slice brokering use case was proven and in general feasibility of blockchain technology for novel resource configurations use cases for various network functions was stated. The use case enables industrial automation processes and related manufacturing equipment to autonomously and dynamically acquire the slice needed for most efficient operations. The resource configuration framework provides a dynamic framework for analyzing and developing the blockchain enabled novel use cases and business models.