A Blockchain-Based Network Slice Broker for 5G Services

Abstract

With advent of 5G, the classical mobile network business model is shifting from a network-operator-oriented business to a more open system with several actors. In this context, the network slice provider will play the role of an intermediate entity between the vertical service provider and the resource provider. To deploy a network slice, the network slice provider will require a brokering mechanism, which allows it to lease resources from different providers in a secure and private way. In this letter, we propose a broker design based on blockchain technology, providing a mechanism that secures and ensures anonymous transactions.