What is the Helium Network
The Helium network is a distributed network of long-range wireless hotspots that was launched in July 2019. The idea is to build what they call "The People's Network," a blockchain-powered network for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the billions of physical gadgets connected to the internet and collecting and exchanging data all over the world.
Any physical thing that can be connected to the internet and controlled or communicate information can be transformed into an IoT device.
An IoT device is a lightbulb that can be turned on using a smartphone app, just as a motion sensor, a smart thermostat in your office, or a linked streetlight. Smart cities projects, on a larger scale, are equipping entire regions with sensors to help us better understand and govern the environment.
What is Proof of Coverage and the peoples network
The Helium Network uses Proof of Coverage (PoC), a work algorithm that rewards users for verifying coverage, by proving location and network connectivity. Proof of Coverage is built on top of the Helium Consensus Protocol.
People can purchase and setup helium hotspots to participate in building the Network and earn Helium (HNT) rewards through a incentive model using by the Helium blockchain by Hotspots near each other will witness each other and verify each other is providing coverage.
The Helium Network uses radio wave technology (LoRaWAN) compared to traditional mining rigs like GPUs or ASICs, making Hotspots much less energy hungry than their traditional counterparts, averaging around 5-15W of electricity or a average light bulb.
You can use the Energy deals page to help you save money to spend towards your Helium Hotspot. Purchase a Linxdot Helium Hotspot and save 3% at checkout using coupon code Miner3.
What types of Hotspots can i get ?
There are a number of Helium hotspots now available on the market. Different manufacturers and suppliers to different market due to regulatory restrictions in different countries. Each vendor or manufacturer are selling helium hotspots at different prices and purchasing can quite often be requiring a lot of time and skills and hoops to jump through to get even a pre order. Most vendors require payment in crypto currency and can cause a barrier to entry for most people.
One of the latest and upcoming vendors are Linxdot a UK based who are Helium Approved and CE, FCC & RCM certified. They are now selling pre-orders to anyone via their website and payment by card or crypto making it easy for any one to purchase one. 