San Jose to Fund Low-Income Internet Access With Helium Crypto Mining

Helium’s crypto-fueled wireless network will provide funds for more than 1,300 households to pay for broadband access. Read the full article by: Andrew Hayward

Key Points:

• Helium is a decentralized wireless network that leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) devices which are also nodes. These nodes are user generated hot spots that connect devices in the area to provide network service rather than using a traditional wireless carrier. They are also currently working on creating their own 5G network as well.

• The partnership with San Jose will give 1300+ households a $120 gift card to help pay for internet. The cards will be fully funded by Helium tokens that are mined from Helium nodes.

• The Helium network will not be the ones providing the internet services for these households; however, as the devices are not designed to handle connections for laptops and phones.

• “San Jose has deployed 20 Helium nodes—paid for by the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF)—around the city, and they’re being operated by volunteers and small businesses.”