A new phase for Shelley is about to begin, as the testnet for the Cardano staking era   will be open to all stake pool operators on June 9. In May, the "friends and family" testnet was only open to a small group of about 50 bet pool operators who were ready to pave the way for more operators wishing to join us.

Any stake pool operator can now join the Shelley test network

Just over four weeks after the Shelley family and friends' testnet, the network closed to a small group of pioneers will open its doors to the general public. According to IOHK director of marketing and communications, Tim Harrison, the Shelley testnet should enter a new final phase, which will bring the network closer to the exit from the mainnet.

In a video shared on Twitter, Harrison announced that the Shelley testnet will be open to all bet pool operators on June 9. Incentive Testnet (ITN).

Users will be able to test the operation of the delegation and the bet pool, as well as learn to navigate the Shelley network. Harrison said there are currently more than 60 pools running on the testnet, adding that he hopes more users will join in the next few days.

However, he noted that users shouldn't expect smooth navigation all the way - although this is the closest thing to the main Shelley network, the environment is still a test network that does not will not miss bugs and problems.

Will other operators share the feeling of the pioneers towards Shelley?

Last week, Cardano chief delivery officer Christopher Greenwood commented on progress in the testing network of friends and family, saying that the pioneers were "overwhelmingly" satisfied with the experience or management of stake pools.

The pioneers went through all of the testnet exercises, which included delegation, modifying pool settings, and submitting transactions, with most saying that the only bugs encountered were "cosmetic". According to Greenwood, this will help them educate the rest of the operators who join the testnet, removing much of the burden from the IOHK itself.

Those interested in setting up and operating swimming pools to bet on the Shelley testnet can access all the necessary documents on the official site testnet.

The opening of the Shelley test network to all operators of bet pools tomorrow is on the right track with the plans previously defined. Leaving more people in the Shelley testnet environment is the last step the company will take to move Cardano from a federated to a decentralized proof of participation system.

Regarding future plans for Shelley, Harrison said earlier today that staking on Shelley's main network will be available in August. This means that ADA holders will have to wait until the end of the summer to be able to participate in the network by staking or delegation.