Blockchain Technology and the Future of 6G Networks
In the world presently, 6G is little more than a new buzzword. 4G is the prevalent network in most countries, with work on 5G having commenced in a few countries. 6G, then, appears to be far off from actual implementation or relevance.
This is however not the case. Researchers have already begun work on 6G, and blockchain industry experts believe that blockchain technology coupled with 6G could overcome the shortcomings of 5G networks. They also believe this combination would facilitate the creation of advanced Internet of Everything (IoE) applications.
What is the potential of 6G technology in the future?
6G technology will underpin future generations of advanced mobile networks. This technology offers highly improved service standards and an unparalleled user experience, with full coverage of the ‘air-space-sea-land’ system. By 2025, 6G mobile traffic is estimated to touch 607 exabytes/month, going up further to 5,016 exabytes/month by 2030.
The improved service level requirements offered by 6G include the following:
• Ultra-high data transfer rates
• Ultra-high application traffic volume
• Integration with AI, IoT, and blockchain to form a network ecosystem
•Applications such as holographic communications, massive machine-type communications, and virtual reality (VR)
What challenges do 6G networks face?
6G might be the answer to many concerns, but it presently faces many troubles. These include the following:
• Higher throughput: Future systems will produce an enormous volume of transactions in real-time, and network infrastructure needs to have the capacity to handle this volume.
• Integration: Vehicular networks and power distribution systems must be integrated in a properly synchronized manner if industry-related critical applications are to function properly.
• Low latency in real-time data transmission: High accuracy in operations requires a near-zero delay in device-to-device and machine-to-machine communications, and that too constantly.
• Scalability: High traffic is anticipated when commercial IoT picks up pace, connecting and operating billions of devices in industrial ecosystems of the future. Customizing 6G systems to meet the burgeoning traffic needs will be a tough ask.
• Network and tenant audit: It is essential to evaluate, identify, and flag how tenants of a 6G network behave. The tenant population however is huge, and implementing standardized security protocols for all tenants will be very tough.
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: The massive number of interconnected gadgets in sophisticated 6G networks will create the fear of DDoS attacks.
• Confidentiality: Low-power IoT devices employ lightweight cryptographic techniques, which are not sufficiently secure and can expose data. In order to ensure there are no illegitimate changes, it is imperative to put in place standard entry restriction and validation techniques.
How can blockchain technology help to solve the challenges faced by 6G networks?
The blockchain industry is looked upon as a very useful partner for 6G networks. Blockchain can solve the majority of shortcomings faced by 6G networks; however, privacy leakage, scalability, and Sybil attacks are still matters of concern. Combining 6G networks with blockchain is helpful for industries as it brings about information sharing and is transparent.
Below are the ways in which blockchain technology can surmount the challenges 6G networks are facing:
• Inferences will be managed optimally, and there will be no more intermediaries.
• When user devices experience caching of high-volume content, blockchain technology helps to build trust between cache requesters and providers.
• There will be no restrictions on scalability, and massive connectivity will be possible.
• Lease records cannot tamper with, and the security of spectrum sharing will be much better.
• The technology leads to the integrity of remote resources and offloaded computation, and builds trust between the edge servers and the user devices.
• Energy and other resources are exchanged between market participants through energy trading markets and smart devices, and the blockchain industry facilitates trust between the participants.
Is blockchain certification useful to work in this arena?
The blockchain industry has a bright future with seemingly limitless potential. There is a requirement for qualified and competent blockchain engineers, blockchain leaders, and blockchain business professionals to ensure adequate pace of progress.
To improve your chances in this domain, it is useful to take up a blockchain certification, as a validation of skills and know-how and as proof of the capability to take on higher roles and responsibilities.