ISP Network Bandwidth Management: Using Blockchain and SDN

Abstract

In general shared internet service, the ISP shares a static bandwidth resource pool to multiple customers in the same neighborhood area. The users' internet speed wavers when the number of customers accessing the same resource is increasing. The issue becomes problematic during peak hours. Many customers are expected to use the limited bandwidth simultaneously, thus deteriorating the overall user experiences. The ISP is subject to blame when such incidents happen; the customers claim the ISP breaks the Service Level Agreement by providing lower internet speed than the one the ISP marketed. It is a dilemma for the ISP, increasing the bandwidth resource pool may solve the problem. However, when the peak hours period is over, the additional bandwidth becomes useless, thereby generating the over-allocation problem. In this paper, we propose the use of blockchain and SDN to provide agile network bandwidth management for the ISP in the form of three use cases: Bandwidth on Demand, Selling Bandwidth, and Real-Time Pricing. We argue that using these proposed use cases, the ISP can serve the customer fairly, while also generating more appealing economics to compete in the modern market.