The internet. The phenomena we can not live without. The place where we go in our daily life without even knowing it. The internet, possibly the most centralized aspect of our lives. What if it didn’t have to be? Helium Network (HNT) has an alternative.
The Helium network is a blockchain-powered wireless network that allows devices from anywhere in the globe to connect to the internet and establish their location without needing power-intensive satellite location hardware or costly network plans. Helium wants to utilize the blockchain to bring decentralization to an industry long dominated by powerful monopolies. The result is that an affordable wireless network becomes a commodity available to anyone.
Helium’s secure and open-source network also allows developers to build energy-saving, internet-connected devices in a fast and low-cost manner. With this, the project wants to ‘Start a Wireless Revolution.’
Launched in 2013, Helium is a decentralized wireless network that seeks to offer a secure and cost-effective way for low-power devices to join the IoT industry. The Helium protocol runs on blockchain technology and uses the HoneyBadgerBFT consensus model.
Helium has the following core features:
- Helium hotspot – A tool that’s both a miner and users’ pathway to the Helium blockchain
- Proof of coverage – A novel mining mechanism that uses radio waves to verify the location of Hotspots
- LongFi – a technology that combines the wireless protocol LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) with the Helium blockchain so compatible LoRaWAN devices can transfer data over the Helium network
So what all does Helium offer? Plenty and more!
#1. Helium Hotspot
The Helium Hotspot is a wireless router by Helium. Just like other LoRaWAN devices on Helium, the Hotspots support miles of wireless network for anyone to carry out mining and help maintain and support the network.
#2. Helium Console
This is an internet-based management tool through which developers can register, verify, and manage their devices in the network. The Helium Console is responsible for managing user-level permissions, registering devices IDs, onboarding new devices securely, and utilizing data credits.
#3. LongFi
This tool combines LoRaWAN with the Helium blockchain, so any LoRaWAN device can plug in and start transferring data on the network. LongFi supports the following:
- Easy device onboarding: Users can onboard as many devices as possible without them having to undergo endless configurations or verification by third parties
- Device roaming: Devices on the network have IDs that are stored on the blockchain, allowing them to transfer data to the network through any Hotspot
- Earning HNT tokens: Via LongFi, device owners can earn HNT tokens for transferring data over the network
- LoRaWAN Support: Any LoRaWAN device can transfer data through the network with little configuration required
#4. Helium Tabs
These are location trackers enabled by Helium. They can track all sorts of things: from pets to luggage, to keys, and pretty much anything that’s covered by the Helium network.
HNT is the native cryptocurrency of the Helium network. The token has several uses, including the two most important ones:
- Mining rewards: Hotspots earn HNT for contributing to the running and security of the network by transferring data
- Payment: HNT is used by users to generate data credits with which to pay for network services
Disclaimer: I am not claiming this to be all my content. I have cut and pasted sections of content to allow the best use of the information for the reader. I will always site my source but I also have some of my own in every article as well.
Source:
- MMA_Crypto