Helium Mobile: You Asked, We Answered

Back in September, we announced Helium Mobile™, a reimagined carrier built on the vision of a world where people benefit from the success of their mobile carrier.

Helium Mobile will run on the Helium 5G network and our partner network. The Helium 5G network continues to grow across the U.S. with over 7,000 active radios deployed. We’ve recently shared exciting updates, such as a partnership with Solana Mobile to bring Saga phone users 30 days of free service when Helium Mobile launches in 2023.

Ever since we introduced ourselves to the world, we've received a lot of questions from people interested in Helium Mobile. We want you all to be in the loop, so we’ve put together a recap of answers to the most asked questions.

What’s the difference between the Helium 5G network and Helium Mobile?

The Helium 5G network is an open-sourced, decentralized network owned and operated by the people. Check out a quick video on the Helium 5G network here.

Helium Mobile will drive usage to the Helium 5G network. Built by the team at Nova Labs, the innovative mobile carrier service will deliver superior coverage at a lower cost and reward users along the way.

Will Helium Mobile subscribers be able to access the Helium IoT network alongside the 5G network, or is Helium Mobile limited to the 5G network?

Helium 5G and IoT networks use different wireless protocols, each built for different use cases, and they have separate rewards. You can learn more about how they came about here.

Is there a map of Helium 5G network coverage?

To see the growth of the Helium 5G network in near-real time, visit Helium Explorer and click “MOBILE” in the navigation bar.

It’s important to note the coverage shown by the Explorer is very approximate. Over time, the Explorer will be updated and include additional Helium 5G network information – such as signal strength, for example – to show coverage more accurately.

Mobile devices generate a lot of personal information and data that can be sold to third parties. Will Helium Mobile be engaging in that sort of thing?

We strongly believe in data privacy. While traditional carriers may sell data including location, app usage, and browsing history to advertisers, Helium Mobile is committed to user privacy and will never sell your data to advertisers or other third parties.

Can I use my existing phone with Helium Mobile?

You can use Helium Mobile with any compatible unlocked phone. Most smartphones will be compatible, but you'll be able to verify your phone's compatibility in the Helium Mobile app before signing up for a plan.

What was the Solana Mobile Saga phone announcement about?

As a result of our recently-announced partnership with Solana Mobile, Saga users in the U.S. will be given a 30-day free subscription to Helium Mobile, allowing them to seamlessly connect to the Helium 5G network and partner 5G networks nationwide.

Does the Helium 5G network have its own token (like the Helium IoT network), and if so, how does that work?

Yes it does. MOBILE is the token reward people can earn for building useful coverage on the Helium 5G network. For more information, read the full blog on how MOBILE rewards will be earned for providing Helium 5G coverage here.

How will Helium Mobile users be able to earn MOBILE rewards?

Helium Mobile users will be able to earn MOBILE rewards by verifying (known as “mapping”) the Helium 5G network from their phones. Network mapping is an opt-in program that will be available on Helium Mobile plans.

Will Helium Mobile be competitive with low-cost non-traditional carrier plans?

The mobile carrier space is extremely competitive with both traditional cellular carriers and new, innovative carriers all playing in the market. As the first service provider using the Helium 5G network, Helium Mobile can drive down costs and deliver unique benefits to users that are simply not available or viable for competitors.

Which countries is Helium Mobile going to be available in?

Helium Mobile will initially launch in the U.S.

Is there a plan to let people using Helium Mobile roam internationally?

While the Helium 5G network is not currently available outside the U.S., Helium Mobile plans will include the option to roam internationally even where there isn’t Helium 5G network coverage thanks to coverage from partner networks.

How much will Helium Mobile plans cost?

We’ll be sharing more information about plans in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, be sure you're on the waitlist at hellohelium.com.

When will Helium Mobile launch?

Launch is planned for the first half of 2023.

How can I make the switch to Helium Mobile?

Sign up for the waitlist! You’ll be the first to know when it’s available in the U.S.

Ok, that seems like a good place to pause for now. We know the questions will keep coming as excitement builds leading up to launch. If the next several months are anything like the last, there will be plenty more announcements and news to share, and we’ll be sure to provide answers to your questions.