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Open LNS Overview

The Open LNS initiative allows anyone looking to deploy devices on the Helium Network to use any LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS). The LNS you choose must compile with the LoRaWAN specification to access the Helium Network.

Why Open LNS?​

Open LNS will deliver the following network improvements:

  1. Increased accessibility
  2. Accelerated device joins and a focus on increased speed
  3. Increased reliability
  4. Enabling massive scalability

Console & LNS Migration​

The Open LNS Initiative is unaffected by the migration to Solana. LNS Operators and Console Users will have months to migrate their LNS services.

Open LNS allows devices on the Helium Network to use any LoRaWAN Network Server ("LNS") that complies with the LoRaWAN specification.

Network Improvements​

Before Open LNS, Helium LoRaWAN Network Servers ran on bespoke software especially suited to the Helium Blockchain. Through Helium HIP-70, these constraints were removed, allowing for a multitude of simplifications and improvements.

Increased Accessibility:
Open LNS alleviates the usage and access bottlenecks that stem from "Helium Console" as the only LNS option and instead scales network access through a large and diverse set of LNS providers and software suites.

Accelerated Device Joins:
The re-engineered backend architecture removes the need to store device routing information on the Helium blockchain, dramatically reducing device join time.

Increased Reliability:
By colocating in the same global regions as deployed Hotspots, additional Oracles can support future demand, reduce latency, and increase redundancy.

Enable Massive Scalability:
The upgraded architecture allows for new device classes and innovative use cases, with new LoRaWAN infrastructure allowing IoT providers to utilize whichever LNS they prefer based on features and capabilities.

Open LNS FAQ​

Why Are These Changes Necessary?​

In the current architecture, Helium Console is a blockchain-following node. This blockchain dependency adds cost and complexity and can cause speed and efficiency issues, including device joins delays and slow, delayed, or dropped packet communications. In addition, the current architecture limits the scalability to handle future network growth. IoT solution providers can only access part of the catalog of LoRaWAN-capable devices, and there are limited options regarding how these devices onboard to the Helium Network.

Moving data transfer to Oracles will eliminate the need for data transfer accounting dependent on the blockchain and other chain-following entities, eliminates the issues noted above while enabling data transfer to massively scale, and removes the fear of chain halts affecting the underlying Network.

Simplified block diagram of Data Transfer Accounting.

How Would Open LNS Provide More Access To The Network?​

Open LNS allows partners in the ecosystem to use any LNS that complies with the LoRaWAN specification to access the Helium Network.

New Capabilities.

The Helium Console does not support standard LoRaWAN features such as ABP activation or Class C devices. Open LNS allows users to choose a different LNS, such as Chirpstack to address these limitations.

Reimagining this landscape of LNS providers offers users a new level of freedom and flexibility.

What Is The Current Progress And Future Timeline?​

Alpha testing began in October 2022. After a successful initial alpha period, a larger group of partners in the ecosystem are participating in the ongoing beta test and are seeing positive evidence that ABP and Class C devices will be fully functional on the Helium Network.

Testing will continue through the start of 2023.

Which Open LNS Providers Can I Use?​

The first batch of providers within the Open LNS initiative utilizes Chirpstack and offers multi-tenant and private instances to businesses and individuals.

  • IngeniousThings provides LNS services, including public device hosting using a pay-per-message model and private LNS instances using a pay-per-month model. IngeniousThings has been involved in LoRaWAN since 2016 and was an early contributor to the Helium ecosystem as one of the first public Helium Console hosts. IngeniousThings currently supports over 7,000 devices on its Helium IoT console and will offer a variety of features and services to help Helium users.
  • Parley Labs provides Helium products and services and supports growth. Parley Labs plans to offer both public and private LNS hosting services. Parley Labs was a pioneer in the Helium ecosystem, providing pre-provisioned products, demonstrating Class C device functionality, and assisting clients in bringing their solutions to market. Parley Labs' services include sourcing, procurement, provisioning, logistics, integrations, and engineering.
  • Brdot emerged in 2021 as the ultimate solution provider for Helium across Latin America and has since then been offering comprehensive services and coverage as a reseller for the finest Helium gateways available, certified by Anatel. Our expertise brings users an extensive range of offerings, including LNS services, device hosting options, and unparalleled support. Whether you require private or public LNS service utilizing a pay-per-message or pay-per-month basis, BrDot has you covered.