Last Updated on 3 years by admin
Helium Mining is a Blockchain network that grows rapidly. MOC Key member Jeremy Cooper describes the helium network as the best blockchain network at the Zoom meeting held today (11th November 2021).
They gathered online to discuss integrity issues, and rewards gaming issues. Also, there are some questions raised by the customers and the discussion is also to find possible solutions.
Why is Helium the Best Blockchain Network?
Jeremy Cooper describes the helium crypto mining network as the best blockchain network as it is automated, self-seeking solutions, quick decision making. Helium Blockchain is different from other blockchains as it is not based on proof of energy. But the Helium network is all about proof of coverage. Due to this reason Helium Blockchain is a green block chain, as said above its based-on proof of coverage not energy.
Also, since it is based on coverage it is a little bit easy to cheat on it. People are offered with more power in the beginning to the helium blockchain to get it started and running. This will also be the best way to block cheaters, gamers who have several miners in the basement and play with the antennas to fake the coverage.
When the Blockchain network grows the final goal is to have MOC’s job disappear. The network should run on its own. New algorithms are created to reach this goal.
What is the role of MOC in relation to helium mining?
Meantime until the network catches up its potential MOC’s role is onboarding gateways, miners, hotspots (though people call different names all three of them are the same). When it comes to HNT mining the first transaction, what you call the onboarding transaction is very important, and it is called an add gateway transaction. It has four components.
1. Identity of the hotspot (public key)
2. Identity of the wallet (that’s where the rewards go)
3. Staking key (ID of the manufacture)
4. Signature (signed by the manufacture that says it’s a real hotspot and it deserves to get rewards)
MOC allows or denies the Maker Key. If a certain manufacturer passes all the requirements and can add coverage to the blockchain network MOC provides the Green light sign transactions and adds hotspots to the network. That is the primary role of MOC and that is linked upon by the HIP 19 process.
What is HIP 19 Process
The HIP 19 process has three key points and as the Manufacturer Oversight Committee there is a checkbox list to comply. This process makes sure the MOC can trust the manufacturer and the hotspots to be legitimate.
1. KYC – Know Your Customer (this is where the MOC checks whether the manufacture is legit and can produce the number of hotspots required. And they have a physical location where they can manufacture hotspots)
2. The hardware specifications like the radio power are checked to make sure they can produce actual coverage
3. Make sure that the manufacturers can distribute the miners to customers’ hands. Not just in one region but in a wide area / wide deployment
These are the 3 things that the MOC committee does.
How does the MOC committee selected?
Members of the MOC committee are selected by the community. And each MOC member is an expert that comes from the community. Each of them has a link to the network may be by being a hotspot owner or any other way. Each of them is individual experts that have the knowledge to identify particular things that hotspot miner manufactures do.
The MOC Team
Scott Sigel – Director at the Decentralized Wireless Alliance (the nonprofit organization that supports Helium Network)
Jeremy Cooper – Loves Radio, Security etc.
Patrick van – Semiconductor Guy currently working for SEMTECH. IP Holder of the Lora technology. Every HNT hotspot miner manufacturer needs to use these devices in their products
Filipe de Almeida – Systems Administrator. wireless network expert.
Sophi Kravitz – Hardware Engineer. Help develop the HIP 19 program.
Bradley Lane – IoT engineer Emrit. Working on bringing higher quality and stability to the hotspot market.
Phil Barkley – Security, Fiber Access Control. Working on strengthening the security of the Helium Network.
Nik Hawks – The only non tech person in the team. But he plays a key role in explaining to the general public about the tech things that’s going on.
Christina Ramsey – Manufacture program manager.
Here are important Questions discussed during the session. The MOC has provided the answers for all the questions at the same time.
1. Why were such drastic measures taken with the suspension of products?
This is for COTX networks. Issue was that there was cryptographic proof that manufacturers had a large number of miners being deployed. Those were all owned directly or indirectly by the manufacturers. This was easy to confirm as when a hotspot is added to the network there should be someone to give data credit. The wallet that funded those hotspots were the same as the wallet that took ownership of the hotspots. Finally, MOC suspended COTX networks from manufacturing new hotpots for 6 months
2. We are curious about when we can onboard the purchased COTX hotspots?
Since there were a large number of orders placed for COTX-X3. MOC allowed to distribute miners for the orders that were made before 4th October 2021. Also, the number of Helium Miners purchased by a single person should be less or equal to 20 units. No new orders accepted during the 6-month probation period. Also, for the orders made after 4th Oct 21 refunds will be provided. Furthermore, for the customers that has made orders for more than 20 units, the customers must identify themself to the MOC.
3. Nebra is making a new miner but still there are backlogs of the previous models from the same manufacturer. Does helium agree that Nebra can deliver?
If the manufacturer is not delivering, it is on the customer to decide whether to go-ahead with such manufactures or not. Helium has no place in this. Helium does not govern such things. It is also required as customers to do research and ask questions from sellers/ manufactures before purchasing miners. At least you can know how responsive the manufacturers are. Furthermore, it is best to do research on what miners are mostly available on the blockchain. Checkout feedback, testimonials.
4. How is MOC going to prevent gaming and dishonest manufactures?
Advanced proof of coverage algorithm will hopefully do the needful to identify the gamers. Until then MOC will use everything on its power to have the helium network clean. However, this may take time and may need sign a memorandum… etc.
Hope this article gave you all a clear idea on how MOC functions. Also, these questions and answers may have been in your mind as it is common for all Helium Miners. We were all stressed with the COTX Networks probation and now we know what actually happened. Furthermore, the Manufacturer Oversight Committee only has the power to give the green light, or the Stop sign to manufacturers. They cannot control what manufacturers do with the HNT token miner. Therefore, we as customers need to do more research or get together and create a group where we can recommend manufactures based on our experiences. Use the comments section below to share your issues, thoughts about Helium Mining. Also, checkout our posts that provide detailed information on Helium Mining for starters.
