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Data Credits

Data Credits (DCs) are central to the Helium Blockchain and Network. Read about how they fit into our Tokenomics here.

For a video tutorial of how to purchase Data Credits on Console, check out our Tips & Tricks video here

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You can use the Helium Data Credit Calculator to understand exactly how much it will cost to send device data on the Network.

Not only are DCs critical for asserting new Hotspots and their location on the blockchain, registering OUIs and devices, but they are also used to pay for every single uplink packet that is sent on the Helium network including inital Joins. Downlinks, and ACKS do not require Data Credits.

Every 24 bytes sent in an uplink packet cost 1 DC = $.00001.

Unlike traditional wireless networks, the Helium Network has no annual fee and you only pay for data you use. This transaction occurs between the Miner (which runs on every Helium Hotspot) and the Helium LoRaWAN Network Server, identified by the OUI, of the device owner.

The transaction is as follows:

  • A Miner receives a packet and determines who it belongs to
  • The Miner dials the appropriate Helium LoRaWAN Network Server and offers the packet
  • The Helium LoRaWAN Network Server expresses interest in the packet and accepts delivery
  • The Miner provides the packet under the promise that the LoRaWAN Network Server will “burn a DC” in the name of the Miner

You may have noticed that the final step includes a promise from the Helium LoRaWAN Network Server. The principle at work here is that each packet in its own is quite insignificant in value and so the Miner is willing to extend this service of delivery in exchange for the promise; by doing such, usage experiences low latencies. Should the Helium LoRaWAN Network Server fail to fulfill its promise, the Miner would place the Helium LoRaWAN Network Server on a deny list and would no longer route packets from any devices to this Helium LoRaWAN Network Server.

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