How does HIP-103 affect me as a deployer?

What is HIP-103?

HIP-103, introduced in February 2024, redefined network incentives across the Helium Mobile ecosystem. The proposal shifted Proof of Coverage (PoC) rewards toward Hotspots located in higher-footfall, urban areas, while reducing incentives for Hotspots deployed in low-traffic, residential zones.

This change was designed to encourage more impactful and strategically placed deployments in commercially active regions.

Were there any updates to HIP-103 after its initial release?

Yes. In April 2025, additional adjustments were approved through a Helium Release Proposal.

These updates modified the original reward multipliers for low-footfall “C” zones. Previously, these multipliers ranged from 0.03 to 0.4; following the update, all residential deployments in “C” zones now receive a flat multiplier of 0.03 for PoC rewards.

For full details, we recommend reviewing the complete HIP-103 proposal here. As well as the April 2025 Helium Release.

How does HIP-103 affect me as a deployer?

If your Hotspot is located in a residential (non-commercial) or low-footfall “C” zone, your PoC reward multiplier is now 0.03.

This will result in significantly reduced daily PoC rewards compared to deployments in higher-traffic areas.

It’s important to note that Data Rewards are not affected by this change.

How can I improve my PoC rewards?

To increase your PoC multiplier and overall earning potential, consider redeploying your Hotspot to a commercial or high-footfall location, such as:

Deploying in these locations can provide stronger network coverage where it’s needed most, while also improving your reward performance.