Helium devs propose ditching its own blockchain for Solana

cointelegraph.com:

Internet of Things (IoT) blockchain network Helium could transition to the Solana blockchain following a new HIP 70 governance proposal launched on Aug. 30. 

The Helium core developers said the need to “improve operational efficiency and scalability” was required in order to bring “significant economies of scale” to the network.

The Helium network operates by users installing a Helium Hotspot to provide decentralized wireless 5G network coverage for internet users in their area. Helium uses a unique consensus mechanism — proof-of-coverage to verify network connectivity and distribute HNT tokens to Helium Hotspot providers when coverage is verified.

The proposal comes as Helium developers have emphasized the need to fix a number of technical issues in order to improve the network’s capabilities:

The HIP 70 proposal has been put forward to improve these data transfer and network coverage abilities, according to the Helium GitHub page.

If passed, Helium-based HNT, IOT, and MOBILE tokens and Data Credits (DCs) would also be transferred to the Solana blockchain.

The network's HNT tokens are earned by hotspot providers, IOT tokens are earned by node operators that provide the LoRaWAN network, MOBILE tokens are earned when 5G coverage is provided, and DCs are used to pay transaction fees.

Helium developers have proposed HIP 70, which would move PoC and Data Transfer Account to Oracles. This simplifies Helium's blockchain needs, improving scalability, speed, and reliability. It also allows for more rewards for miners and a move to Solana. https://t.co/ZFSWmwYn8f pic.twitter.com/ztnahzGAet

Since its creation in 2013, the Helium network has operated on its own blockchain. “The Hotspot” podcast host Arman Dezfuli-Arjomandi stated in