Helium Plus Revolutionizes Public Wi-Fi by Creating Decentralized Mobile Infrastructure

Helium has launched Helium Plus, a groundbreaking service that enables businesses with public Wi-Fi to join the Helium Network without purchasing additional hardware. By simply updating their existing routers with Helium's configuration software, venues such as cafes, gyms, and hotels can act as micro cell towers, supporting major mobile carriers like AT&T and Movistar by offloading mobile data traffic. This launch marks a significant shift in Helium’s infrastructure approach. Previously, participation required installing dedicated Helium Hotspots. Helium Plus removes this barrier with a software-only solution, opening the network to tens of thousands of new contributors and enabling rapid expansion of decentralized wireless coverage across the United States and Mexico.

Economic Incentives for Contributors

Wi-Fi providers using Helium Plus can earn $HNT tokens by routing mobile traffic through their upgraded routers. In June 2025 alone, Helium distributed over $300,000 in rewards for carrier offload traffic—a 20% increase from the previous month. These incentives encourage businesses to adopt Helium Plus and contribute to network growth. According to Mario Di Dio, Network General Manager at Helium, the service "offers instant, low-cost wireless integration, reducing infrastructure costs while creating new revenue streams and improving connectivity." He highlights that ease of deployment is key to unlocking the network’s full potential.

Emerging Business Use Cases

Early adopters are already benefiting from Helium Plus. Space Hospitality, operating multiple venues in New York City, deployed 21 Helium Hotspots via Helium Plus. Their buildings previously suffered from poor cellular connectivity due to structural challenges. Harvey Shim, the company’s IT and Marketing Director, reports that Helium Plus improved signal reliability, boosting customer engagement and increasing on-site sales. This example demonstrates how decentralized infrastructure can provide practical solutions to urban connectivity issues while delivering immediate value to businesses.

Enhancing Carrier Offload and Reducing Costs

Helium Plus supports a broader initiative launched in June 2024 called carrier offload. This feature allows mobile carriers and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like Movistar to reduce infrastructure expenses by routing data through the Helium Network. Since its rollout, Helium has processed over 10 petabytes (10,000 terabytes) of mobile data and surpassed one million daily users. This decentralized model offers carriers a cost-effective way to improve coverage, aligning with Helium’s vision of a people-powered, scalable wireless ecosystem. By expanding the contributor base, Helium Plus directly enhances mobile network performance, especially in dense urban and indoor environments.

Broader Connectivity Implications

Helium Plus exemplifies how decentralized infrastructure can complement traditional telecom networks. By transforming everyday Wi-Fi into distributed network nodes, Helium challenges conventional wireless expansion models. This initiative also aligns with Helium’s partnerships, such as its collaboration with AT&T to enhance service coverage across the U.S. The software-driven rollout of Helium Plus highlights how decentralized networks can scale efficiently without additional hardware. As mobile data demand grows, solutions like Helium Plus may become essential for carriers and users alike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Helium Plus? A: Helium Plus is a new service from Helium that allows businesses with public Wi-Fi to contribute to the Helium Network by updating their existing routers with Helium's configuration software, acting as micro cell towers to offload mobile data traffic. Q: How does Helium Plus differ from previous Helium participation methods? A: Unlike previous methods that required dedicated hardware (Helium Hotspots), Helium Plus is a software-only solution, removing the barrier to entry and enabling rapid network expansion. Q: What are the benefits for businesses that adopt Helium Plus? A: Businesses can earn $HNT tokens by routing mobile traffic, reduce infrastructure costs, create new revenue streams, and improve their on-site connectivity, as demonstrated by early adopters like Space Hospitality. Q: How does Helium Plus contribute to mobile carrier offload? A: It allows mobile carriers and MVNOs to route data traffic through the Helium Network, reducing their infrastructure expenses and improving coverage, especially in dense areas. Q: What kind of financial incentives are offered through Helium Plus? A: Providers earn $HNT tokens for routing mobile traffic. Helium distributed over $300,000 in rewards for carrier offload traffic in June 2025 alone.

Crypto Market AI's Take

Helium's innovative approach with Helium Plus signifies a critical evolution in decentralized wireless infrastructure. By leveraging existing Wi-Fi networks, Helium is significantly lowering the barrier to entry for network participation, which is a key strategy for rapid scaling. This move aligns with the broader trend of Distributed Network Infrastructure (DePIN), where collective participation drives network growth and user benefits. For users of our platform, this means potentially more robust and widespread wireless coverage, which can complement existing mobile data plans and improve connectivity in underserved areas. Our AI-powered insights into market trends and emerging technologies help us identify such promising developments early on, enabling informed investment decisions in the evolving crypto landscape. We believe this decentralized model has the potential to reshape how wireless connectivity is delivered and consumed globally.

Helium Launches Helium Plus, Turning Public Wi-Fi into Decentralized Infrastructure