This guide will take you through the process of setting up your Helium Mobile Hotspot Outdoor. Please follow the setup steps carefully and report any problems to our support team.
It is highly recommended that you open this guide on a computer or tablet or print it out instead of following it on the smartphone that will be used to run the app and register the Helium Mobile Hotspot.
Setup Requirements
What’s in the Box?
Outdoor Helium Mobile Hotspot
Mounting brackets and screws
Step 1. Unbox the Helium Mobile Hotspot Outdoor
Hotspot’s box has a QR code and network credential necessary to connect to the Hotspot during later setup steps.
We recommend that you save the box or take a picture of the QR code. The QR code is also available on the back of the Hotspot, however, it might be hard to access it after the Hotspot is installed at its final location.
Step 2. Power up your Hotspot
Connect one end of the outdoor Cat6 cable to the Hotspot and another end to the PoE port of the PoE injector.
Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to an available LAN port on your Wi-Fi router, and the other end to the LAN port of the PoE injector.
If everything is connected properly, the light indicator on the Hotspot will turn solid blue.
Step 3. Firmware Upgrade
The Helium Mobile Hotspot may need to be updated to the latest firmware.
This process is automatic and will take a few minutes. During the upgrade, the LED light will turn from solid blue to blinking blue.
After the update is complete, the LED light will turn off, indicating an automatic reboot of the Hotspot. Once the reboot is complete, the LED light will turn blinking blue followed by a solid blue which indicates that the Hotspot is ready to operate.
Please ensure that the LED light is solid blue before moving to the next step.
Step 4. Mounting the Hotspot
Follow the mounting tips to install your Hotspot.
Face your Users
Hotspots create coverage from their front face. Signals can pass through glass, but trees, buildings, and other objects may block or reflect them.
Place it High
Mount your Hotspot higher to avoid signal loss from structures like trees or buildings. Remember to tilt down the higher you place it.
Use the Mount
Mount your Hotspot on a pole. Use the included mount to allow you to direct your signal towards its users.
Step 5. Download and install the Helium Mobile Builder App
Download Helium Mobile Builder App
Android: Download Helium Mobile Builder
iOS: Download Helium Mobile Builder
Step 6. Log in to Helium Mobile Builder App
Click Begin to log in or sign up for Helium Mobile account.
If you are a subscriber to the Helium Mobile cellular service, you already have Helium Mobile account and can use it to sign in to the Builder app.
If you’re new to Helium Mobile ecosystem, please create Helium Mobile account. In addition to Builder app, it provides seamless access to various builder tools like Helium Mobile Hotspots Dashboard and Helium Mobile Coverage Planner.
Alternatively, you can log in with Helium Wallet. This option is more suitable for advanced users, and we generally recommend using Helium Mobile account instead.
Step 7. Connect to the Hotspot
Please make sure you have Wi-Fi enabled on your phone before proceeding with this step.
When prompted, allow the Helium Mobile Builder App to use the camera and scan the QR code on the box or back of the Hotspot.
Alternatively, you can enter the Hotspot’s network credential manually, located on the QR code sticker. The network name and password are only necessary during the onboarding process.
If you are unable to connect to the Hotspot’s network, please make sure your phone is in the direct line of sight of the Hotspot.
Step 8. Confirm location of the installation
Once the GPS lock is acquired successfully, you will be able to see the location of your Hotspot on the next screen.
Make sure the data is accurate and retry if needed.
Step 9. Set Height of the Hotspot
Measure above the ground height of your installation. Must be between 1 and 1000 ft.
Step 10. Set Direction of Hotspot
Hotspots provide coverage from their front face.
When measuring directionality, aim your phone in the same direction as the front of your Hotspot is pointing to.
Step 11. Register the Hotspot
Verify that information about your Hotspot is correct before proceeding to the final registration step.
Registration process can take up to 10 minutes.
Step 12. View your Helium Mobile Hotspot
The 'Fleet' Tab displays your Hotspots. Your newly deployed Hotspot should be indicated with a blue dot.
It might take up to 10 minutes for the Hotspot to appear in the list.
Additionally, it might take up to 48 hours for the Hotspot to start earning MOBILE rewards and appear on the Helium Mobile Coverage Planner.
Step 13. Testing Connectivity
Helium Mobile cellular service subscribers with Dynamic Coverage Enhanced activated on their devices can connect to the Helium Mobile Hotspot when in range.
Please allow at least three minutes after successful Hotspot registration for the device to be ready to start broadcasting the “Helium Mobile” Wi-Fi network.
Disconnect and disable auto join to any Wi-Fi network in the same area.
Do not use password provided on the box or back of the Hotspot to connect to Helium Mobile network. It should be used only during the Hotspot onboarding.
Your phone should automatically join the Helium Mobile network. If this doesn’t happen automatically, please reinstall Helium Mobile app.