Beyond 5G Networking: The Case of NANCY Project

With the global deployment of the fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks, the exploration of Beyond 5G (B5G)/sixth-generation (6G) wireless communications has begun. It is foreseen that related technologies will exhibit superior characteristics compared to their predecessors, encompassing higher transfer speeds, expanded coverage, enhanced reliability, greater energy efficiency, reduced latency and, notably, an integrated “human-centric” network infrastructure driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This study underscores the imperative need for AI methodologies and security across various resources such as spectrum, computing and storage, provided by the advanced blockchain features in the forthcoming 6G era. Use cases posed by these B5G technologies aim to leverage its inherent features of decentralization, transparency, anonymity and resiliency, while blockchain can foster cooperative trust among disparate network entities. Furthermore, the paper elucidates insights into Blockchain Radio Access Networks (B-RANs) gleaned from the EU-funded research project NANCY [1], whose pillars and architecture are highlighted, providing an overview of the core advancements it can offer.