- Helium introduced Helium Plus, an easier way to onboard Wi-Fi hotspot partners
- The Helium network has more than 102,000 hotspots in the U.S. right now
- Helium is in talks with more mobile carriers to expand its reach
Helium is making it easier for businesses and public Wi-Fi providers to join its blockchain-powered decentralized network with the introduction of a software upgrade.
Helium’s partners previously had to buy a new router — spending $249 for an indoor unit and/or $499 for an outdoor one — to join its network. Now, through the provider's newly launched Helium Plus service, businesses and public Wi-Fi providers can join the network by updating their existing routers through a simple self-service software upgrade – no extra hardware required.
Helium Network General Manager Mario Di Dio called it a “major leap forward” in how businesses can contribute to the decentralized wireless (DeWi) network.
“It offers instant, low-cost wireless integration, reducing infrastructure costs while creating new revenue streams and improving connectivity,” he said via a press release.
Helium is one of the first applications of decentralized physical network infrastructure and flips the traditional model where wireless networks are operated by a few big telecom companies. Helium's model incentivizes individuals and businesses to expand the network; they’re rewarded in crypto when their Wi-Fi hotspots are used.
Growth at Helium
The Helium network is steadily growing. It had about 90,000 mobile hotspots deployed in the U.S. in April, and now it counts more than 102,000 mobile hotspots nationwide.
The hotspots are mostly installed by businesses, such as gyms, stadiums, airports, retail stores, restaurants and the like. These businesses earn cryptocurrency tokens based on the volume connecting to their hotspots.
In June, the Helium Network paid out more than $300,000 to hotspot providers for hosting users, reflecting a 20% month-on-month rewards growth, according to the company.
Helium’s deals with carriers
Besides making it easier for businesses to participate, Helium is striking deals direct with mobile carriers.
The first deal it announced was with Telefónica’s mobile flagship Movistar brand in Mexico, where 2.3 million Movistar subscribers can get access to the Helium network. In the U.S., AT&T teamed with Helium to expand the number of Wi-Fi hotspots available to its 118 million customers.
Helping woo the carriers is a quality of service (QoS) system that Helium uses to provide information about the Wi-Fi connections. U.S. mobile operators tend to be control freaks when it comes to their networks, for obvious reasons. Helium provides QoS metrics, like speed and congestion, so that operators can monitor the quality of the Wi-Fi and switch traffic to cellular if they so choose.
No word yet on whether more mobile carriers are soon to be added to Helium’s official roster. Helium is in talks with U.S. and international carriers, Di Dio told Fierce in an emailed statement.
Comcast and Charter Communications both use Verizon’s network under MVNO agreements to offer wireless services, but they also aggressively market their Wi-Fi networks. But again, no word on whether they’re interested in syncing up with Helium.
“We’re always open to conversations that expand access and improve connectivity, and we’re encouraged by the growing industry interest in Helium,” Di Dio said.