28. Mark Phillips: Decentralizing Cellular Communication Networks

Welcome to EARLY, the podcast about web3 business from Bankless Consulting.

DSide's guest today is Mark Phillips, the Vice President of Business Development at Nova Labs. Nova Labs is a for-profit entity that operates on the Helium infrastructure, which delivers public wireless coverage in 192 countries for 5G and IoT devices. They offer a disruptive solution for wireless coverage and IoT connectivity. Nova Labs was launched in 2022 to distinguish the for-profit aspect from the open Helium network.

In this episode of the podcast DSide and Mark Phillips discuss the community-driven approach, cost-effectiveness, and expanding cellular capabilities of the Helium Network and Nova Labs. They discuss how The Helium network focuses on providing coverage in areas where larger carriers are absent by leveraging local community-driven hotspots. 

The two then examine how Helium has expanded into cellular connectivity through the Helium DAO and the deployment of 9,000 cellular towers. Phillips explains how this enabled Nova Labs to introduce Helium Mobile, a subscription service based on the Helium infrastructure, aiming to replace traditional cellular providers. He explains the model leverages blockchain technology by compensating individuals who run the hardware with blockchain tokens.

Phillips then describes how there is growing momentum and adoption, particularly in industrial supply chains and asset tracking. He explains the use cases of Nova Labs' deployment of sensors on the Helium network and how it has improved trust and reduced waste in supply chains. DSide and Phillips then break down the cost of connectivity historically and how it has been a major challenge for IoT adoption before explaining how Helium offers a significantly cheaper alternative.

The podcast ends with DSide and Phiilips discussing the future of IoT being in the symbiotic relationship between supply and demand. Companies create a virtuous cycle by deploying sensors to contribute to network coverage, and as demand for sensors grows, coverage expands further. The two address concerns about IoT security, with Phillips explaining how Helium ensures data encryption and decentralized control through blockchain technology, preventing user data from being exploited. 

 

***Timestamps***

0:00 - Guest Background

1:30 - Helium and Nova Labs

10:58 - Helium DAO

13:25 - Helium Cellular

19:00 Where is the IoT now

28:47 - Incentives

34:10 - Future of IoT

37:40 - Risks of IoT

40:55 - Future of Nova Labs

53:00 - Solana

 

***Additional Resources***

• HelloHelium.com

• Helium.com

• Helium Coverage Map

• Helium Discord

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***Links***

• Bankless Consulting Twitter

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• Early Podcast on YouTube