Helium Mobile’s developer is now licensing its tech stack

The distributed cell plan provider started selling its own hotspots in October 2023

article-image

Helium and Adobe stock modified by Blockworks

share

Helium Mobile is starting a licensing program for its hotspot devices, the cell plan provider announced Tuesday. 

Helium Mobile’s hotspots let individuals or businesses set up “mini cell towers” that emit cell coverage and pay out tokens in exchange. There are already several third-party manufacturers and vendors for the Helium Internet of Things (IoT) network, according to Helium’s website, but Helium Mobile is currently the only provider for cell phone coverage devices.

With the licensing program, Helium Mobile hopes to earn licensing fees from hotspots being manufactured elsewhere while simultaneously growing its burgeoning cellular network.

Helium Mobile is being developed by Nova Labs. The cell plan runs on a hybrid of its own distributed network coverage and service Helium Mobile buys from T-Mobile. The plan piloted in Miami before going live nationwide in the US — at a monthly price point of $20 — last December. 

Read more: Unlimited Helium Mobile cell plan goes nationwide for $20 a month

Helium Mobile has accrued 93,898 sign-ups in total, according to a Dune dashboard. The dashboard does not track potential subscription cancellations, so the number of active subscribers may be fewer. 

Before Nova Labs developed Helium Mobile, the same team built an IoT network with similar Web3 mechanics to power things like e-scooters. Users have been running Helium wireless hotspots for years, and the IoT network supports “dozens” of third-party devices. 

But Helium Mobile’s cell phone coverage hardware was developed in-house.

Helium Mobile began selling $249 indoor hotspots in October 2023 and $499 outdoor hotspots in December. Now, others can manufacture and sell Helium Mobile hotspots.

Read more: Helium hotspots go live in bid to turn Miami network profitable

MNTD. is set to become the first third-party manufacturer of Helium Mobile hotspots, according to a press release. Helium Mobile hopes others will soon follow.

“Introducing a licensing program and partnering with hardware manufacturers means there are more options for people who are considering becoming part of the Helium Network. We are excited to see the community grow,” a spokesperson for Helium Mobile told Blockworks.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

  • Blockworks Daily: The newsletter that helps thousands of investors understand crypto and the markets, by Byron Gilliam.
  • Empire: Start your morning with the top news and analysis to inform your day in crypto.
  • Forward Guidance: Reporting and analysis on the growing intersection of crypto and macroeconomics, policy and finance.
  • 0xResearch: Alpha directly in your inbox. Market highlights, data, degen trade ideas, governance updates, token performance and more.
  • Lightspeed: Built for Solana investors, developers and community members. The latest from one of crypto’s hottest networks.
  • The Drop: For crypto collectors and traders, covering apps, games, memes and more.
Tags

Upcoming Events

Industry City | Brooklyn, NY

TUES - THURS, JUNE 24 - 26, 2025

Permissionless IV serves as the definitive gathering for crypto’s technical founders, developers, and builders to come together and create the future.If you’re ready to shape the future of crypto, Permissionless IV is where it happens.

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Research Report Templates (5).png

Research

Outside of stablecoins, the value of tokenized assets sits below $20B, dominated by the following asset classes: private credit, US Treasuries, commodities, institutional alternative funds, stocks, non-US government debt, and corporate bonds. In the coming months, we see the greatest opportunities in the tokenization of illiquid markets, particularly private equity. However, the successful integration of offchain assets into blockchain ecosystems relies heavily on clear and consistent regulatory frameworks, with purpose-built infrastructure to support it.

article-image

Markets react to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments at yesterday’s FOMC meeting

article-image

At DAS, the US president noted he’s called upon Congress to enact “simple, common-sense rules” for stablecoins and market structure

article-image

GDC shows us crypto game developers feel a bit down despite lavish parties and packed crypto side events

article-image

What a Pyth/Morpho/Re7 debacle says about decentralized accountability

article-image

At DAS, VanEck’s Matthew Sigel weighed in on a market that’s “90% flows and 10% fundamentals”

article-image

The first sitting president to address a crypto conference says the US is positioned to “dominate crypto and the next generation of financial technologies”