The hotspot you are hosting earns Helium Network Tokens (HNT) for building, securing, and providing network coverage to various smart devices. You are not only earning money — you’re contributing to building the global IoT wireless network of the future and connecting the things you care about to the digital world.

The HNT that you earn from your hotspot will be made available in your JAG account wallet with the option to request payout in your preferred payment method option.

Unfortunately, this happens from time to time so please follow the instructions below to determine the possible cause and recommended solutions to get your hotspot back online and make sure you continue earning rewards!

The hotspot has lost power

-Please ensure your hotspot is connected to power and the red lights on the front of the device are on. We recommend a steady power source (not connected to an outlet that turns on and off via a light switch).

-The USB-C connection may have come loose from the side of the hotspot. Make sure this is securely inserted. 

The hotspot lost connection to the internet

-WiFi - power cycle the hotspot by unplugging the hotspot for 60 seconds and then plugging it back in. 

-Ethernet - make sure the ethernet cable is plugged into both the router and the Helium Hotspot

If your internet is working, the hotspot has power, and you have power cycled the hotspot there are a few other possible solutions. 

It is possible that the Wifi connection is unreliable/unstable, or the wifi connection is too slow. Move the box closer to the router. One way to test to see if this might be the issue, connect with your phone and look at the bars available, or use an app like wifi analyzer and check wifi strength.

-Create a wired connection if possible (multiple options, like directly connecting the hotspot to your router if close enough, use powerline ethernet, etc.)

-Your internet router could be blocking the device. You will need to connect to the internet network you wish you change settings on. Open a web browser and enter 192.168.1.1 to get to the router login page (some ISP have an app that you can change these settings from). In general, you can find the IP address on the bottom or side of the router. Once connected to your internet network “allow” the Helium Hotspot.

No. To participate in earning rewards by providing coverage, a hotspot needs to prove its location to its peers. If the hotspot is mobile it cannot prove its location.

Hotspots have to be connected to the internet in order to work. This can either be via an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection.

At JAG we are always making sure that our devices have the best security features enabled:

-Our hotspot is secured using end-to-end encryption on both hardware and software layers.

-Other than the router, there is no interaction between the hotspot and other devices on your network. In other words, there is no access to your data.

-An internet connection is necessary, but only for the transport of data for blockchain peer-to-peer.

-Inbound ports are usually the weak link in a hotspot. We only require 1 port to be enabled in both directions and the encryption takes care of the rest.

-Helium networks are constantly checked by using penetration tests on hotspots and other parts of the network.

-The expected bandwidth is small and devices communicate with the Hotspot over LongFi, not IP (Internet Protocol).

-The device is hardware secured to protect traffic from the 900 Mhz spectrum and only uses the FCC regulated 902-928 MHz range.

-Using the helium network is not free, deterring scammers from entering and operating on this platform.

No. The amount of data sent by a device is very small typically within 5 kbps. This is only a tiny fraction of your internet capabilities. IoT devices are only sending small data packets over the network. This equates to about as much data as a Netflix user who watches a movie most nights (20–30 GB/month).

Our device uses a small amount of power; roughly 5W at peak. This is less than a standard LED light bulb. In the average US state, the total power cost of running a Hotspot for a full year is roughly $5.

Payouts can be requested via the customer portal after 60 days of the hotspot being in service. The first 30 days of connectivity are beta and unpaid. During this first month, our team is optimizing the antenna configuration and the device is syncing to the blockchain and coming online.

This hotspot allows you to deploy a Long Range Wide Area (LoRaWAN) wireless connection for any LoRaWAN smart device up to 5 miles away. You are becoming a network provider for devices that need to send small amounts of data.

​

Smart LoRaWAN devices are able to transmit end-to-end encrypted data across the Global IoT wireless network which you are now a part of. For providing network coverage and transmitting the data, you are rewarded Helium Network Tokens (HNT) that are redeemable for cash or can be stored in your digital wallet.

It is 100% free to become a JAG hotspot host. All you have to do is complete your checkout with just the requested device. For those looking to increase their earnings we do offer optional upgrades available for purchase in our JAG Catalog.

We will need the name of your WiFi and the password at a minimum (for your security, none of this information will be noted or saved anywhere, we can have you type it if you are unsure about sharing). Additionally, our technician will need access to your WiFi router to set up port forwarding (enhanced security and more reliable connections).

The device is approximately the size of 3 stacked decks of playing cards (3.75”L x 2.5”h x 2.75”W).

Where you set up your Helium Hotspot within your building is the most important configuration step that’s still entirely in your control.

In general, you should place your device in an area where the antenna can be directed away from hotspots that are too close to you (within a 300m range), but toward areas of high network activity that are beyond that immediate range. For example, if you live in a suburb just outside of a downtown or metro area, you should probably point your antenna towards the city and away from your next-door neighbors who also have Helium Hotspots. Of course, this isn’t always the best course of action, but it’s likely the first type of positioning you should try.

Before you start thinking beyond your home or building, you should make sure you’ve covered the basic do’s and dont’s for Helium Hotspot placements. The antenna should be capable of sending its radio signals as far and wide as possible. That means it needs a direct line of sight from your building to the closest hub of activity.

Considering this, you should avoid putting your hotspot in cabinets, under furniture, behind metal screens, or anywhere that a physical object can obstruct its view. For indoor placements, you should find a spot close to a screenless window that has the clearest possible line of sight. Ideally, you should find the highest point in your building that has an unhindered view of the outside world.

In theory, radio waves with mid-range frequencies like the ones Helium’s LoRaWAN utilizes can travel considerably long distances provided they don’t get obstructed in the process. In practice, the world is full of obstructions, and this is especially true in densely populated urban areas. That’s why the height of your placement usually matters the most. For example, if you could place your antenna on the rooftop of the highest building in your city, then you could ostensibly reach the largest possible number of other devices and sidestep the lower hotspots that are in your direct vicinity.

According to the American Radio Relay League, “a transmitting antenna at 120 feet will provide the effect of approximately 8 to 10 times more transmitting power than the same antenna at 35 feet.” For most of us, elevating our Helium Hotspot antennas to 120 feet is probably unrealistic. Still, you can potentially achieve a rooftop setup with some semi-clever wiring and an outdoor enclosure kit to protect your Hotspot device. Either way, you should try and place your hotspot as high as possible and with the clearest line of sight for the most efficient wireless communication and the best chance of earning more HNT.