Helium (HNT) is a decentralized network powered by blockchain technology, specifically designed for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Launched in 2019, the Helium mainnet enables low-powered wireless devices to communicate with each other and transmit data across its network of nodes. These nodes, known as Hotspots, serve as both a wireless gateway and a blockchain transaction processing device. Operators of these nodes process transactions and may receive compensation in HNT, Helium's native cryptocurrency. Helium's primary objective is to aim to enhance IoT communication, addressing the shortcomings of current infrastructure.

Helium operates through a network of Hotspots, which are a combination of a wireless gateway and a blockchain transaction processing device. Each Hotspot provides network coverage over a certain radius and processes transactions involving Helium's native token, HNT. The network operates on a proof-of-coverage consensus algorithm based on the HoneyBadger BFT protocol, which allows nodes in a network to reach consensus even when connection quality varies. Users pay transaction fees in a separate token called Data Credits, which are non-exchangeable and tied to individual users. This unique consensus mechanism, known as proof-of-coverage (PoC), aims to reward users for contributing to transaction processing and ensuring network stability.

Helium's primary use case is to aim to improve the communication capabilities of wireless Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Its network allows device owners and those interested in the IoT space to purchase Hotspots or build their own, providing network coverage and processing transactions involving Helium's native token, HNT. This may make it a viable option for those looking to participate in the IoT space, with potential compensation providing further outreach possibilities. The network's participants range from individuals to businesses, all contributing to the creation of a decentralized wireless infrastructure.

Helium was founded in 2013 by Amir Haleem, Shawn Fanning, and Sean Carey. Haleem has a background in eSports and game development, while Fanning is known for developing Napster, one of the first mainstream peer-to-peer internet services. Carey held multiple development roles prior to Helium, including at advertising optimization firm Where, which was acquired by PayPal. The Helium team now consists of members with experience in radio and hardware, manufacturing, distributed systems, peer-to-peer, and blockchain technologies. The Helium mainnet was launched in July 2019. As of a certain point in time, there were over 48 million HNT in circulation.

Helium's blockchain network operates as a decentralized, global network of hotspots that provide public, long-range wireless coverage for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. These hotspots interact with a certain cryptocurrency on a particular blockchain. The Helium ecosystem, with its hundreds of thousands of hotspots deployed by a global community, strives to provide access to a substantial decentralized wireless network. Hotspots facilitate individuals in the operation of a wireless network that supports a wide range of IoT devices, from smart pet collars and home delivery systems, to smart bikes and scooters, medical transport and tracking devices, cooling systems, smart lighting systems, and more. Hotspots receive this cryptocurrency as non-financial incentives for providing wireless coverage and transferring data from nearby devices. The amount of data transferred may influence the non-financial incentives received.

The Helium Hotspot concept is a component of the Helium Network, a globally distributed network of Hotspots that create public, long-range wireless coverage for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. These Hotspots participate in the network and receive IOT, a digital token now on the Solana blockchain, as a form of non-monetary recognition. The Helium ecosystem, with its hundreds of thousands of Hotspots deployed by a global community, provides access to a decentralized wireless network. Individuals can participate in the network by deploying Hotspots, thereby contributing to the operation of the network. Hotspots are part of a system that allows individuals to participate in a wireless network that supports a variety of IoT devices, including pet collars, home delivery systems, bikes and scooters, medical transport and tracking devices, cooling systems, and lighting systems. Hotspot owners receive IOT tokens as non-financial incentives for providing wireless coverage and transferring data from nearby devices. The receipt of IOT tokens is not directly proportional to the amount of data transferred.

Helium Network encourages users to participate in the deployment and maintenance of Hotspots for IoT device connectivity through a token-based system. The primary token associated with the network is HNT, which acknowledges network participants and facilitates transactions. Hotspot owners, who deploy and maintain Helium-compatible wireless devices to provide network coverage, are acknowledged with HNT for their participation. This system seeks to foster network growth and active participation. The more data that's transferred on a subnetwork, and consequently, the more Data Credits that get used up, the treasury of that subnetwork acknowledges the use of more Helium Tokens (HNT). This aims to acknowledge the subnetworks' facilitation of data transfers. The Helium Network's coverage includes over 77,000 towns and cities globally, serving as a resource for businesses, governments, and individuals.

The Helium Network Token (HNT) has a crucial role within the Helium ecosystem, acting as the native cryptocurrency that encourages and rewards users for their active involvement. Individuals who host Hotspots, nodes that simultaneously process HNT for the purpose of building and securing the network, receive HNT. The Helium Network employs a unique consensus mechanism known as Proof of Coverage (PoC), which rewards users for verifying coverage, thereby confirming location and network connectivity. Hotspots receive HNT in relation to the value they contribute to the Helium ecosystem by completing PoC challenges, serving as witnesses for peers’ performance, and transferring device data. HNT is used to mint Data Credits, which are necessary for sending data to the internet via the Helium Network. The interaction between HNT and Data Credits is a fundamental aspect of the Helium Network's cryptoeconomics, contributing to its development and sustainability.

The Proof-of-Coverage (PoC) consensus algorithm is an approach used in various blockchain networks to validate transactions and maintain network integrity. Unlike traditional consensus mechanisms like Proof-of-Work (PoW) or Proof-of-Stake (PoS), PoC utilizes the available hard drive space of network participants to determine transaction validation responsibilities. This method is energy-efficient and supports a decentralized network structure as it enables anyone with spare hard drive space to participate in the transaction validation process. The PoC protocol involves a two-step process: plotting and mining. In the plotting phase, a list of all possible solutions is created through repeated hashing of data. During the mining phase, a participant calculates a specific value, and the one with the minimum value is selected by the participant.

Helium Network strives to address the challenge of providing decentralized and scalable IoT connectivity by utilizing blockchain technology and a unique consensus mechanism. The network is powered by a decentralized network of hotspots, which are devices that act as both network miners and wireless access points. These hotspots are encouraged to provide and maintain wireless coverage in a cost-effective, decentralized, and community-centric way. The network's consensus mechanism, known as Proof-of-Coverage (PoC), acknowledges users for verifying coverage, thus proving location and network connectivity. This collaborative validation mechanism aims to facilitate the organic expansion of network coverage, driven by community efforts rather than centralized authorities. Helium's technology is compatible with a wide variety of IoT devices, spanning from smart pet collars and home delivery systems to scooters, cooling systems, and smart lighting systems. This approach enables communities to take charge of their IoT infrastructure, bridging the connectivity gap and bringing the unconnected into the digital world.

The Helium network is designed to accommodate a diverse range of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications. Any device that complies with the LoRaWAN v1.0.2, v1.0.3, or v1.0.4 specification has the potential to integrate with the Helium network. This encompasses a wide array of compatible LoRaWAN devices across various industries and applications. For instance, environmental sensors, asset trackers, smart agriculture devices, wearable health devices, and smart city infrastructure are all examples of devices that can utilize the Helium network. The network also encourages the development of new applications, inviting developers to create solutions that leverage its decentralized connectivity. The Helium network aims to support applications that require low-power, long-range connectivity, aligning with the needs of many IoT applications.

LongFi is a proprietary wireless networking protocol developed by Helium Network. It aims to facilitate the deployment of a decentralized peer-to-peer network for the Internet of Things (IoT). LongFi operates differently from the LoRaWAN foundation, which forms the basis of Helium's networking. It enables a large number of IoT devices to connect to individual hotspots or gateways and allows these hotspots to interact with each other. The Helium blockchain facilitates authentication, security, and non-financial incentives for network services, making LongFi essentially a combination of a LoRaWAN and Helium blockchain. LongFi connectivity is bidirectional, long-distance, low-energy, and low-bitrate, making it suitable for transferring sensor-based data like environmental data, the location or position of objects, or telemetry data from machines or devices. It's not the same as long-range WiFi and is distinct from it. LongFi operates with a longer range and lower energy consumption than conventional WiFi and Bluetooth.