US telecom giant AT&T applies for patent for server based on Bitcoin blockchain

AT&T, the second largest mobile operator in the United States, is currently applying for a patent for a home user server that utilizes the Bitcoin blockchain.

It is reported that the patent application was submitted on April 6 and published on October 5 this year. It outlines a "decentralized and distributed secure home user server device." Its submitters are AT&T researchers Roger Piqueras Jover and Joshua Lackey, who previously worked as security architects at Bloomberg.

Such home user servers can perform authentication and media delivery functions for users who subscribe to television services, for example. According to the application, AT&T hopes to improve the security of these multimedia transmission networks by distributing and storing transmission information among nodes.

AT&T is seeking to apply for patents related to its proposed device and methods of using it. Perhaps notably, these patent applications outline how to better utilize the Bitcoin blockchain, rather than an internal private blockchain (although this method is also mentioned in the application).

The authors explain:

“…a decentralized and distributed secure home user server system that leverages the Bitcoin blockchain, which can leverage a large number of nodes and maintain the security of Bitcoin transactions.”

The application also mentions that it will be able to continue operating even if the service system is attacked.

“…when a node (e.g., a base station device) is attacked and causes a crash, the rest of the distributed secure home user service system will not be affected, but only mobile devices within the coverage of the victim base station device will be affected,” the authors explain.

This is the first known patent for the technology filed by AT&T. Last month, social media observers discovered that AT&T was hiring a "senior blockchain developer." The job listing has now been deleted.

AT&T declined to comment by press time.