This is a followup to the previous post describing my setting up a G5 hotspot on Helium’s decentralized 5G infrastructure that earns MOBILE tokens. The cash value of the MOBILE tokens earned since July 2022 is ~7X the cost of the equipment needed to generate them.
Now I want to put down further facts I want to document for my future self and MindBlog’s techie readers.
Recently Helium has introduced Helium Mobile, a cell phone plan using using this new 5G infrastructure which costs $20/month - much less expensive than other cellular providers like Verizon and ATT. It has partnered with T-Mobile to fill in coverage areas its own 5G network hasn’t reached.
Nine days ago I downloaded the Helium Mobile app onto my iPhone 12 and set up an account with an eSIM and a new phone number, alongside my phone number of many years now in a Verizon account using a physical SIM card.
My iPhone has been earning MOBILE tokens by sharing its location to allow better mapping of the Helium G5 network. As I am writing this, the app has earned 3,346 Mobile tokens that could be sold and converted to $14.32 at this moment (the price of MOBILE, like other cryptocurrencies, is very volatile).
If this earning rate continues (a big ‘if’), the cellular account I am paying $20/month for will be generating MOBILE tokens each month worth ~$45. The $20 monthly cell phone plan charge can be paid with MOBILE tokens, leaving $15/month passive income from my subscribing to Helium Mobile and allowing anonymous tracking of my phone as I move about. (Apple sends a message every three days asking if I am sure I want to be allowing continuous tracking by this one App.)
So there you have it. Any cautionary notes from techie readers about the cybersecurity implications of what I am doing would be welcome.
This blog reports new ideas and work on mind, brain, behavior, psychology, and politics - as well as random curious stuff. (Try the Dynamic Views at top of right column.)
Thursday, March 14, 2024
An inexpensive Helium Mobile 5G cellphone plan that pays you to use it?
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The caveat is that they're almost certainly not using your location data only to map their network - it's most likely being sold to data brokers for marketing and influence campaigns.
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