Distributed Ledgers for Spectrum Authorization

The rising demand for wireless services can only be met if the available spectrum is shared effectively, and spectrum underutilization is avoided. This article examines how a DLT-based spectrum authorization system may be designed considering its protocol, data, and network operational layers. Decentralization, automation, and verifiable trust achieved by this system facilitate spectrum sharing and trading, catering to business objectives in addition to the influences from regulatory and technological developments. To this end, we elaborate on the technical feasibility, scalability, and business incentives for such a system to stimulate the multiple cross-industry stakeholders to use the radio spectrum more efficiently for 5G and beyond.