Helium Network

Kerlink Wirnet iSeries LoRaWAN Gateways

are compatible with Helium Network (dedicated compatible model)

What is Helium Network?

Helium Systems is an American company founded in 2013 to build the world’s first peer-to-peer LoRaWAN wireless IoT network, “The People’s Network”. This is also the first global, distributed network of Hotspots that provides public, long-range and low-power wireless coverage for LoRaWAN-enabled IoT sensors and devices. Helium claims to have over 25,000 helium hotspots sold in 3,600+ cities to date.

With the introduction of its blockchain, the Helium Network decentralizes IoT coverage, resulting in an open IoT wireless network able to connect multiple LoRa-enabled IoT sensors & devices and to combine various LoRaWAN gateways, anywhere in the world, in a cost-efficient way.

“In typical LoRaWAN networks, a central or regional LNS (LoRaWAN Network Server) is managed by a single entity. Helium’s design for a decentralized network, however, means not only do we want gateways to be independently owned and operated, but we want to enable the independent operation of the LNS. Without this, access to the network would require permission from a single central entity, the LNS operator of the network.”

“Therefore, we want to enable the multi-tenancy of LNS’s on the same public LoRaWAN network. Achieving this distinguishes Helium’s LoRaWAN network from any other: public wireless infrastructure is now compatible with privately run network servers.”

Helium Network Website

What is LongFi Technology?

Helium conceived the LongFi technology that is the combination of LoRaWAN wireless protocol and Helium blockchain. Helium LongFi technology benefits from all characteristics and advantages of LoRa network while adding the capacity for gateways owners to earn Helium cryptocurrency (HNT for Helium Network Token) in the process (mining). Helium LongFi also delivers roaming capabilities and supports micropayment transactions so customers only pay based on network usage without needing to deploy gateways or network servers. The Helium LongFi™ technology is embedded on compatible LoRaWAN gateway to make a Helium Network Hotspot. Helium first released the technology as open source, for third-party manufacturers to build compatible hotspots. The use of the technology was then restrained for approved vendors through the HIP19 certification.

What is a Helium Hotspot?

Targeting low-power sensors and devices, the Helium Network is powered by compatible Hotspots. A Hotspot is the combination of the Helium Blockchain and the LoRaWAN packet routing software on a single, compact and compatible LoRaWAN gateway. This enables customers to easily participate in the deployment of Helium coverage and use the open LoRa-based wireless IoT networks.

What is Helium Network Token (HNT)?

Helium Network Token (HNT) is the cryptocurrency that is mined by the Hostpots during its wireless IoT network operations. When connected to a nearby Hotspot, a ‘proof of coverage’ is delivered that validates LoRa gateway real availability, as well as its related coverage. This confirmation simultaneously triggers the generation of Helium’s native cryptocurrency, Helium Network Token (HNT), using the gateway-embedded miner, thus rewarding Helium Network participants and granting coverage for hundreds of square miles throughout the community. Helium proposes a wireless economy with two units of exchange: HNT (Helium Network Token) & Data Credits (to connect to and use the community open wireless IoT network).

How to earn HNT using LoRaWAN Gateways?

Hotspots’ miners earn HNT when LoRa-enabled IoT devices connect and for validating wireless coverage delivered by peers’ LoRaWAN gateways. Using the system called ‘proof-of-coverage’, Helium Compatible LoRaWAN gateways mine more HNT when they are in the range of other Helium compatible LoRa gateways, but need to be at least 300 meters apart.

Which Kerlink LoRaWAN Gateways are compatible with Helium Network ?

Secure-by-design and performant Kerlink Wirnet iSeries references will be the first carrier-grade LoRaWAN gateways embedding the miner software. Kerlink already received the HIP19 approval making Kerlink one of the few “Hotspot manufacturers” or “approved makers” by the Helium community and the DeWi (Decentralized Wireless Alliance) to produce and distribute compatible miners to the Network.

We are pleased to announce that our Wirnet iFemtoCell, Wirnet iFemtoCell-evolution and Wirnet iStation indoor and outdoor LoRaWAN gateways integrate a Kerlink Helium Network compatible miner ready to mine HNT. Miners will be deployed on Kerlink compatible LoRaWAN gateways with a version of full miner that enables all mining features, except being able to participate to consensus groups.

Where to buy ?

If you want to order Kerlink Helium-Network compatible products, please liaise with your regional reseller but ensure that they are providing Helium-network compatible products as up to date, the current version of the Helium miner needs specific configuration, authentication and only runs on gateways embedding a secure core software that is not compatible with previous product releases. Then it needs to be explicitly mentioned as a dedicated Helium– Network compatible model. Please also be careful with suspected sources (Kerlink.shop, eBay, Le Bon Coin…) that may be overpromising in terms of pricing and delivery and in the end may be scamming.

Kerlink official reseller list can be found here: https://www.kerlink.com/distributors/ 

“Embedding a Helium Network-miner-compatible software within our gateway portfolio is another step toward diversification of Kerlink’s equipment possibilities and shows how our ongoing investment in R&D enables the company to respond quickly to evolving applications and innovative uses of LoRaWAN networks.”. “Our ability to integrate new features like Helium’s blockchain technology called ‘proof of coverage’ helps ensure the algorithm can verify that the Hotspots are accurately representing their location and delivering the expected wireless network coverage they are creating.”

Yannick Delibie, president and CEO of Kerlink Americas

When am I going to receive my hotspot ?

Regarding orders and delivery time, you should also check with the distributor you ordered from. They are the one that will be able to provide you with a delivery date or at least a rough estimation. The current worldwide shortage of components due to the Covid-19 pandemic is causing delays and changes in the delivery of components, but please be assured that Kerlink and its partners are doing everything possible to maintain an optimal production level in order to deliver our customers as soon as possible.

Are already deployed Kerlink LoRaWAN Gateways compatible?

To date, the current version of the Helium miner needs specific configuration and authentication and only runs on gateways embedding a new secure core software that is not compatible with previous product releases). It is thus now better to consider a dedicated Helium-compatible model.

It then exist two version of each products : Helium non-compatible version & Helium compatible version. When ordering a product, it needs to be explicitly mentioned as a dedicated Helium- Network compatible model

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