Telecom Platform

The technology stack that makes decentralized connectivity possible.

The ABCD Stack for Telecom

Layer	Technology	Telecom Application
A	AI/ML	Routing optimization, demand prediction, QoS
B	Blockchain	Coverage attestation, settlement, reputation
C	Crypto/Tokens	Operator rewards, data credits, governance
D	DePIN - Data	Hotspots, antennas, backhaul, edge compute

The integration: DePIN deploys physical coverage → Blockchain verifies and records → Crypto aligns incentives → AI optimizes routing and rewards.

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Layer 1: DePIN (Physical Infrastructure)

The hardware that provides actual connectivity.

Device Category	Examples	Function
Hotspots	Helium miners, 5G small cells	Provide coverage and earn tokens
Antennas	Directional, omnidirectional, sector	Extend range and quality
Backhaul	Fiber, fixed wireless, satellite	Connect hotspots to internet
Edge Compute	Processing at network edge	Reduce latency, enable local apps
Phones	Solana Mobile, crypto-native devices	Direct DePIN network access

DePIN Telecom Protocols:

• Helium — IoT and mobile coverage
• Double Zero — Enterprise connectivity
• Proof Wireless — Mobile focused
• Dawn — Fixed wireless

See DePIN Tech for broader patterns.

See Telecom Data Model for the entity-relationship model.

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Layer 2: Blockchain (Trust Infrastructure)

The immutable layer that records coverage proofs and settlements.

Function	Traditional	Blockchain-Enabled
Coverage Verification	Self-reported, trust-based	Proof of Coverage challenges
Inter-carrier Settlement	Monthly billing cycles	Real-time atomic settlement
Quality Attestation	SLA disputes	Cryptographic service proofs
Reputation	Word of mouth, contracts	On-chain performance history

Platform Options:

• Solana — Helium migrated here, high throughput
• Ethereum/L2s — DeFi integration, liquidity
• Custom — Some protocols build purpose-built chains

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Layer 3: Crypto/Tokens (Coordination Infrastructure)

The economic layer that aligns incentives across the network.

Token Type	Function	Example
Network Tokens	Governance, staking, operator rewards	HNT, MOBILE
Usage Tokens	Pay for network services	Data Credits
Governance Tokens	Protocol decision making	veHNT
Operator Tokens	Represent deployed infrastructure stake	Hotspot NFTs

Token Flow:

Users buy Data Credits (stable price)
          ↓
Data Credits burned for usage
          ↓
HNT minted as rewards
          ↓
Operators sell or stake HNT
          ↓
Stakers govern protocol

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Layer 4: AI/ML (Intelligence Infrastructure)

The models that turn data into decisions.

Application	Input	Output	Status
Routing Optimization	Real-time carrier costs, quality	Optimal path selection	Emerging
Demand Prediction	Historical usage, events	Capacity planning	Growing
Fraud Detection	Coverage attestations	Invalid hotspot flagging	Growing
QoS Prediction	Network conditions	Quality forecasts	Emerging
Reward Optimization	Coverage maps, utilization	Incentive tuning	Emerging

The Data Flywheel:

Hotspots generate coverage data
    ↓
Data trains better routing models
    ↓
Better routing improves yields
    ↓
Higher yields attract more hotspots
    ↓
More hotspots generate more data

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Integration Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     APPLICATIONS                             │
│   MVNO Services │ IoT Platforms │ Enterprise │ Consumer     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                      AI/ML LAYER                             │
│   Routing │ Prediction │ Optimization │ Fraud Detection     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                    BLOCKCHAIN LAYER                          │
│   Coverage Proofs │ Settlement │ Reputation │ Governance     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                     DEPIN LAYER                              │
│   Hotspots │ Antennas │ Backhaul │ Edge Compute             │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                   PHYSICAL WORLD                             │
│   Spectrum │ Geography │ Users │ Data Traffic               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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Platform Maturity Assessment

Component	Maturity	Key Players	Gap
LoRaWAN Coverage	Mature	Helium	Demand lagging supply
5G Small Cells	Growing	Helium Mobile	Regulatory complexity
Routing Intelligence	Nascent	No dominant player	MEV opportunity
Cross-Network Settlement	Nascent	Carrier bilateral deals	Blockchain disruption
Coverage Verification	Growing	Proof of Coverage	Gaming challenges
Token Economics	Mature	HNT ecosystem	Sustainability debate

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Build vs Buy Matrix

Need	Build	Buy/Partner
Hotspot Hardware		✓ Commodity manufacturing
Coverage Network	✓ For differentiation
Blockchain Infrastructure		✓ Use Solana/existing
Routing AI	✓ Competitive advantage
Token Design	✓ Core to model
Backhaul		✓ Partner with ISPs

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NZ Market Opportunity

Which protocols could be brought to New Zealand?

Protocol	NZ Viability	Considerations
Helium IoT	High	Rural coverage gaps, agriculture use cases
Helium Mobile	Medium	Spectrum licensing, carrier partnerships
Fixed Wireless	High	Rural broadband gaps, favorable terrain
Enterprise	Medium	Small market, but underserved

See New Zealand for market analysis.

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Context

• DePIN — Physical infrastructure patterns
• Blockchain — Trust layer options
• Solana — Helium's blockchain
• AI — Intelligence layer capabilities