In my previous article, I explained that one of my top crypto/blockchain projects on my mind is Helium. Last week I officially joined the People’s Network, as the folks who created Helium Systems and the Helium token call it. Before I get personal, let me take some time to describe what Helium is and why I desired to join.

In a nutshell, Helium Systems is an Internet-of-Things platform developer. Their mission is to create a decentralized wireless mesh network. This network can be used to connect low-powered IoT devices. Instead of using WiFi or cellular, hotspots utilize LongFi, which is an open wireless protocol.

Each hotspot also acts as a miner, generating Helium tokens when it completes challenges, proof-of-coverage, or transferring data over the network. These tokens are used as currency on the network. Owners of hotspots receive Helium tokens for the work their hotspots do.  To send data over the network, Helium tokens can be converted into data credits.

Helium Systems will be making all of this open source in the future. The hope is for more companies to create devices that run over the network. Already, there are devices that can track pets, track down stolen bicycles, and monitor data from agricultural IoT devices.

Why did I join the People’s Network? The reasons are many. It is a unique project with a global scope. It aims to tackle a problem with a working solution. Most importantly, it’s a future-thinking project that can introduce a platform for a myriad of IoT devices to the world, like many believe will be the future.

In the coming days, I will write a second part, where I’ll break out the hotspot device and go through setup and troubleshooting.

Shameless plug: if your interest in Helium becomes as strong as mine, I highly recommend buying a hotspot and setting it up. Use this referral link to save $50.