Owning the air – and the network
Helium’s people-powered telecoms network is growing, but as blockchain evolves, concerns about centralization remain
Helium is positioning itself as an alternative to traditional telecoms, allowing individuals to contribute to network coverage and earn rewards in return. With tens of thousands of Hotspots deployed and a partnership with Movistar expanding its reach in Mexico, the project is gaining traction.
But as web3 and blockchain technology evolve, concerns about centralization persist. In this Q&A, Justin Harper of The Crypto Radio speaks with Helium about its model, expansion plans, and the challenges of building a decentralized network.
Your strapline is ‘own the air’ and we think this is a great example of decentralization and how it can have a positive impact. Are you worried about web3 and blockchain becoming more centralized?
Helium is focused on putting network power in the hands of everyday people instead of big telecoms. Helium stays true to its roots by letting anyone contribute to network coverage and earn rewards for it.
The idea behind Helium is to share your internet and earn. Hotspots allow you to share your spare bandwidth with your community in exchange for crypto or USD. What is the split when it comes to how people want to get paid – crypto or USD?
Hotspot owners are rewarded in crypto (HNT) for providing coverage and connecting nearby devices. Over 60,000 mobile Hotspots are deployed across the US and Mexico, serving over 300,000 daily users from Helium Mobile and other major carriers. This new economic model reimagines how network infrastructure can be built and distributed while rewarding Hotspot deployers with crypto.
Are there any plans to expand it outside of the US?
Absolutely. Movistar’s latest rollout of our network in Mexico is a major step, with 300+ target sites and over 2.3 million subscribers that will be able to access the Helium Network where coverage is available.
Can you share any figures on how many people have signed up and the savings they have made?
Over 60,000 mobile Hotspots are deployed across the US and Mexico, serving over 300,000 daily users from Helium Mobile and other major carriers.
Helium Mobile, the carrier that leverages the Helium Network has had more than 143,000 signups for the service since launching in 2023—you can track them here. Recently, we saw a large number of new subscribers after the introduction of the free Zero Plan.
You also have your own token – how is that used in the Helium ecosystem?
Helium Hotspot owners are incentivized to deploy their Hotspots and earn crypto rewards in the form of HNT for helping to expand the network and providing connectivity to nearby subscribers. This ultimately lowers carriers' overhead costs and makes connectivity more affordable for the masses. You can learn more about the economic model here.
You recently launched a Zero Plan. I assume the demand for this was overwhelming?
The Zero plan has received a huge response! Staying connected should be simple, affordable, and for everyone. Forget the old-school telco playbook—we’re flipping it upside down to make sure everyone can get access to connectivity. While we can’t share waitlist numbers, we can share that we have had over 143,000 sign-ups since we launched in May 2023.
What other plans do you have for Helium?
Our latest partnership with Movistar in Mexico is a major step, and the bigger vision is expanding wireless access and coverage worldwide.
We’ve already seen demand from other carriers who want to leverage this people-powered network to offload subscriber data. You can check out stats on carrier offload here. Helium’s decentralized model allows for flexibility, as it can adapt to local regulatory standards as needed.
In the meantime, we’re actively exploring new markets where this model can thrive, especially in regions where traditional telecom infrastructure is costly or usually slow to roll out. We also want to be sure we’re prioritizing the ease of participating in building the network. At the core of it all, instead of massive, centralized cell towers, Helium is proving that people-powered networks aren’t just possible—they’re the future.
How are the different brands and entities – Nova Labs, Helium Foundation, Decentralized Wireless Foundation – structured?
Nova Labs is the founding team behind the Helium Network and Helium Mobile, a new carrier that offers affordable phone plans by leveraging the Helium Network.
The Helium Foundation is responsible for community stewardship and ecosystem development support.
