Nitpick: validation is the consensus process and resembles proof of stake, you don't need to buy any mining hardware to do this. Proof of coverage rewards requi

Nitpick: validation is the consensus process and resembles proof of stake, you don't need to buy any mining hardware to do this. Proof of coverage rewards require the approved hardware. You can make your own packet forwarder and get paid for data transmission, but not proof of coverage. Pure DIY with no central body blessing. There are around 70 different manufacturers in some stage of blessing. Its really not a meaningful hurdle. The approval process is there to insure manufacturers incorporate adequate security protection of chain access keys. Network buildout is called a chicken and egg problem for a reason. Speculation is just another tool and is used to phenomenal effect by Helium. The proof is in the pudding because a majority of Americans and Europeans have coverage now, where once was nothing.