Accountability and Reliability in 6G O-RAN: Who is Responsible When it Fails?

Future sixth-generation (6G) networks aim to enable new services with vastly different data rates, latencies, and scalability requirements. Open radio access network (O-RAN), a key architecture for 6G, provides flexibility, openness, and interoperability. However, the open architecture of O-RAN poses challenges for network accountability and reliability. This article analyzes the use cases and risks of multi-party collaboration in O-RAN and discusses its potential enabling technologies, including blockchain and machine learning, to address the accountability and reliability concerns around O-RAN. A feasibility study of a blockchain and large language model (LLM)-powered O-RAN is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the concept. Performance evaluations show that these technologies can enhance the accountability and reliability of O-RAN, with certification processes of blockchain and customization of fine-tuning LLMs.