How to Deploy Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions on the Helium LoRaWAN® Network

Introduction to Helium digital wallets, Helium Network Tokens, and Data Credits for device network usage

All blockchains use digital wallets to allow users (or devices) to cryptographically sign blockchain transactions, store assets, or perform allowed transactions, such as token or data credit (DC) transfers. On the Helium network, data credits are created in the blockchain through the process of “burning” (or converting) Helium network tokens (HNT) into DCs.

For those deploying Hotspots to provide network coverage, a digital wallet is cryptographically linked to each Hotspot and accrues the HNT rewards. If desired, this HNT can then be converted (burned) to DCs to pay for network access by sensors and devices. The wallet owner may transfer HNT to their Helium Console account, burning it into DC, which can then be used by their sensors to pay for Helium network messages.

Anyone can create a Helium wallet using the Helium app, which can be downloaded for Apple or Android phones, or from command-line tools.

All sensors and devices that use the Helium network pay for their network access in the form of DCs. During the onboarding process, the owner of the sensor funds their Helium Console account with data credits to pay for the sensor's network usage. HNT must be “burned” (or converted) into DCs to be used for network access charges.

The Helium Console, Console Hosting Providers, and LoRaWAN network Helium roaming partners allow commercial users who simply want to deploy IoT sensors and devices to purchase DCs directly in fiat currency ($USD) without the need to deal with digital wallets or HNT.

Further, since the Helium network is decentralized, anyone can choose to run their own LoRaWAN network server (i.e., an instance of the Helium Console/Router). For more information, see https://docs.helium.com/use-the-network/run-a-network-server.